Hollywood Stars Make Directorial Debuts at Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival is set to welcome three Hollywood stars—Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Stewart, and Harris Dickinson—as they make their directorial debuts in May. All three films, Eleanor the Great, The Chronology of Water, and Urchin, will be featured in the prestigious sidebar, Un Certain Regard, emphasizing their artistic merit.
Harris Dickinson, known for his role alongside Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, presents Urchin, which tells the story of a drug-addicted drifter striving for redemption. The low-budget film draws inspiration from Dickinson’s own experiences volunteering at a London shelter. "I became disillusioned with politics and sought to understand the vulnerable in my community," he explained, citing influential filmmakers Mike Leigh and Ken Loach as inspirations.
Kristen Stewart’s The Chronology of Water is a passion project based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, exploring the life of a young swimmer escaping an abusive home. Stewart, widely recognized for her role in the Twilight series, was determined to make her directorial debut on her own terms—"I will quit the f** business" if needed, she declared last year. The film promises to transform trauma into art, aligning with Stewart’s vision of honoring corporeal experiences.
Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great tells the story of an elderly woman seeking a fresh start in New York City, with high commercial prospects and possible Oscar buzz for star June Squibb. Johansson expressed her excitement mixed with nerves about the premiere, saying, "I can’t imagine how I will process the hugeness of it." The film hints at a charming narrative, featuring a strong-willed protagonist navigating urban life.
As these three talented actors step behind the camera, their works are poised to resonate with audiences at Cannes, celebrating new creative voices in cinema.
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