Festival de Cannes

These women can

Iris Knobloch is the first woman ever to be elected President of the International Film Festival. And it couldn’t be more fitting. Women’s talent is clearly showcased in the 76th edition, as 32% of the official selection is made up of films by female directors.

by Caroline Stefani

“When I was re-elected in June 2020, I announced that I wanted to find my successor before the end of my third term and hoped that person would be a woman”, said Pierre Lescure in 2022, when he was still President of the Cannes Film Festival. His wish has been granted as Iris Knobloch, a qualified lawyer, has been appointed to the position. The German has vast experience in the sector and has always defended the idea that creation and reason need each other. Over the past 25 years, this film aficionado has held various management positions within Warner, including more than 15 years as President of Warner Bros in France. During that time, she provided support at Cannes for some iconic directors including Clint Eastwood for the 25th anniversary of the release of Unforgiven, Steven Soderbergh for Che and Woody Allen for Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. In July 2021, Iris Knobloch co-founded I2PO, the first European SPAC (special-purpose acquisition company) for the sector. She is now getting ready to walk the legendary red carpet as President. “France is has done me a great honour by entrusting me with the presidency of the Cannes Film Festival. As a European through and through, and having always defended the art of film in my career, both in France and abroad, I am happy to be able to devote all my energy to the success of this global event. The festival is key in safeguarding the cultural life of a world which needs this art form more than ever before”, said Iris Knobloch, before adding: “A cinematic production in a movie theatre is an essential form of artistic expression and the unique selection by the Cannes Film Festival leads the way every year”.

Women behind the camera

While there is no doubt that women make excellent films, just two have had the honour of winning the Palme d’Or over the 75 editions of the International Film Festival. That figure certainly does not reflect the festival’s convictions. The trend may change this year, because more than a third of the films in the competition are made by women. Members of the jury will therefore have the privilege of seeing the work of six female directors, including that of the young Senagalese filmmaker, Ramata-Toulaye Sy, who will walk up the steps to defend her very first film, Banel e Hadama. Experienced women filmmakers are also in attendance. Catherine Breillat returns to Cannes with L’été dernier, a drama starring Olivier Rabourdin and Léa Drucker. Alongside Breillat is the talented Alice Rohrwacher who will present La Chimera, and the Austrian Jessica Hausner with her film Club Zero. Finally, after the highly publicised Sybil, Justine Triet brings Anatomie d’une chute, her fourth feature film, a psychological thriller depicting the story of a family dealing with a suspicious death. The opening film is the brainchild of another woman: the multi-talented Maïwenn, and tells the story of Jeanne du Barry, the famous royal mistress of Louis XV, played by Johnny Depp. These gifted, bold and determined directors prove once again that women can not only act but also direct a company of actors.