What to watch out for in Cannes 2017: Sofia Coppola, a Korean director and Netflix

Bong Joon-ho could be heading to the Cannes Film Festival with his monster movie “Okja”, releasing on Netflix in June. Image: Fred Dufour/AFP

Could Netflix become the first ever VOD service to bag a screening at the Cannes Film Festival? The platform’s upcoming movie “Okja”, available to subscribers from June, is being tipped for selection for the 70th edition of the French film festival, on May 17 to 28.

After heading to prestigious awards ceremonies like the Oscars and the Golden Globes, Netflix is now tipped to become a heavyweight contender at one of the world’s most famous film festivals, Cannes, in the French Riviera.

Certain specialist American movie magazines suggest that “Okja”, a fantasy feature film landing on the streaming site June 28, could be in line for a worldwide premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

And the idea seems even more credible considering the background of its director, Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho. His monster movie “The Host”, telling the story of a father battling a mutant sea creature to save his daughter’s life, was presented at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight (“Quinzaine des réalisateurs”) in 2006. Three years later, he returned to the Riviera with “Mother”, picked for the festival’s “Un Certain Regard” section.

“Okja” once again features a giant beast, but this time it’s a shy and introverted creature who makes friends with a little girl. The creature’s companion does everything she can to stop her friend being kidnapped by a powerful multinational. Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano and Lily Collins star in the movie, produced by Brad Pitt.

The actor turned producer also stars in “War Machine”, a war movie due for release on Netflix May 26, which could also bag a place in the Cannes line-up.

Sofia Coppola and Todd Haynes coming to Cannes?

Other names being mentioned for the festival’s 70th edition include American filmmaker Sofia Coppola, who could present her latest movie, “The Beguiled”, at Cannes, with rumors intensifying as the festival approaches. Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning are all in the cast. The director has previously attended the French festival to present “Marie Antoinette” in 2006 and “The Bling Ring” in the “Un Certain Regard” section in 2013.

Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning also star in “How to Talk to Girls at Parties” directed by John Cameron Mitchell (“Shortbus” screened out of competition in 2006), hotly tipped for a Cannes appearance in May.

After “Velvet Goldmine” in 1998 and “Carol”, which saw Rooney Mara scoop Best Actress in 2015, Todd Haynes could be heading back to the Croisette with “Wonderstruck”. Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams star in this drama about the intertwined stories of two deaf children, living at different times in history but with a mysterious connection.

On the other hand, Luc Besson has already told The Hollywood Reporter that his upcoming blockbuster, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”, will not be featured at Cannes this year.

The official Cannes Film Festival line-up will be announced by festival organizers at a news conference on April 13. JB