Un Certain Regard

Un Certain Regard. A parallel competitive section of the Cannes Film Festival, established in 1978 to showcase original and different works with a unique aesthetic and spirit. It runs alongside the festival's main competition for the Palme d'Or, focusing on emerging talent and innovative cinematic voices from around the world. The section awards its own top prize and has premiered many films that have gone on to achieve significant critical acclaim and launch major directorial careers.

History and establishment

The section was created in 1978 under the leadership of Gilles Jacob, who later became president of the festival. Its founding was a deliberate move to broaden the scope of the Cannes Film Festival beyond its traditional main competition, providing a dedicated platform for audacious and unconventional cinema. The inaugural selection included films like The Shout by Jerzy Skolimowski. Over the decades, its direction has been shaped by influential delegates including Pierre-Henri Deleau and, more recently, artistic directors such as Thierry Frémaux. The section has consistently evolved, reflecting shifts in global cinema and often highlighting works from regions underrepresented in the main slate.

Selection and programming

Programming is curated by the festival's artistic team, with a mandate to seek out daring formal approaches and narratives from new and established directors outside the mainstream. The selection typically comprises around twenty films each year, encompassing feature debuts, sophomore efforts, and works by veteran filmmakers exploring new ground. The selection process involves scouting at other international festivals like the Berlin International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. Notable programmers, including former delegate Edouard Waintrop, have been instrumental in shaping its eclectic identity, which often features strong political statements and intimate human stories from across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Notable films and directors

The section has served as a crucial launchpad for numerous acclaimed directors and landmark films. Early notable selections include Mystery Train by Jim Jarmusch and The Time of the Gypsies by Emir Kusturica. It introduced global audiences to the works of Brillante Mendoza, Lav Diaz, and Manoel de Oliveira. Award-winning films that premiered here include 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days by Cristian Mungiu, The Great Beauty by Paolo Sorrentino, and Toni Erdmann by Maren Ade. Recent years have seen celebrated entries from directors like Nadine Labaki, Jia Zhangke, and Kleber Mendonça Filho, whose film Bacurau won the top prize.

Impact and significance

Its impact on the international film landscape is profound, often acting as a bellwether for new cinematic trends and a discoverer of future Academy Award contenders and Palme d'Or winners. Winning its top prize frequently catapults films to wider distribution and significant festival play at events like the Sundance Film Festival and Venice Film Festival. The section's emphasis on diversity and innovation has elevated the profiles of national cinemas from countries like Romania, Philippines, and Senegal. It provides an essential counterpoint to commercial cinema, affirming the Cannes Film Festival's role as a curator of artistic risk and a global cultural influencer.

Distinction from the Palme d'Or

While both are central competitive strands of the Cannes Film Festival, key distinctions exist. The main competition for the Palme d'Or traditionally features established auteurs and high-profile productions from major studios like StudioCanal and Pathé. In contrast, the parallel section prioritizes artistic discovery, formal experimentation, and often lower-budget productions. The juries are separate, with the latter frequently composed of filmmakers, actors, and critics like Ursula Meier or Sergio Castellitto. Furthermore, films in the main competition command greater immediate media attention, while those in the parallel section build reputation through critical acclaim and word-of-mouth, focusing on the director's unique vision rather than star power or scale.

Category:Cannes Film Festival awards