Must See Cannes Film Festival 2014 Movies

by Helen Earnshaw | 15 May 2014

Maps To The Stars

It doesn't seem five minutes since we were talking about Cannes Film Festival 2013, and now the 2014 festival is getting underway.

Grace of Monaco has kicked off the Cannes Film Festival this year, and is just one movie in what is a fantastic and exciting line-up.

We take a look at some of the movies we are excited about: many of them are going to battle it out for the prestigious Palme d'Or.

- Maps to the Stars

Maps to the Stars is one of the 2014 films that I am really looking forward to, as it sees David Cronenberg return to the director's chair.

The movie sees Cronenberg reunite with actor Robert Pattinson for the first project together: their first film was Cosmopolis.

Pattinson is part of a terrific all-star cast as Mia Wasikowska, Julianne Moore, John Cusack, Olivia Williams and Carrie Fisher are all also on board.

Led by the loathsome yet funny and touching child-star Benjie, we witness the convoluted world of shallow, selfish celebrities and their minions, all of whom are about to be manipulated and destroyed by the young woman who literally represents the fruit of their twisted machinations, Agatha, Benjie’s tormented, apparently psychotic sister.

Maps to the Stars will battle it out for the Palme d'Or, as Cronenberg returns to the Cannes Film Festival.

- The Captive

Atom Egoyan has brought us movies such as Devil's Knot, Chloe & Adoration in recent years, and now he is back with his new project The Captive.

As well as being in the director's chair, Egoyan has worked with David Fraser on the screenplay.

The director has also brought together a great cast as Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Rosario Dawson, Mireille Enos, and Kevin Durand are on board.

8 years after the disappearance of Cassandra, some disturbing indications seem to indicate that she's still alive.

Police, parents and Cassandra herself, will try to unravel the mystery of his disappearance.

The first trailer and clip hint that this could be a tense watch, and I am excited to see Reynolds tackle a very different role.

- Mr Turner

Mike Leigh is no stranger to the Cannes Film Festival, and he is back battling it out for the Palme d'Or with Mr Turner.

Leigh is one of the British filmmakers who have their work on show at the festival this year, as he returns to the director's chair for the first time since Another Year in 2010.

Starring Timothy Spall in the role of J.M.W. Turner, the biopic explores the last twenty-five years of the painter's life.

I have been a fan of Spall for some time, and it is great to see him given the chance to get his teeth into another meaty role.

He is joined on the cast list by Paul Jesson, Dorothy Atkinson, and Marion Bailey.

Leigh is famed for delivered character driven dramas, and Mr Turner looks set to follow on that fine tradition.

- Jimmy's Hall

Ken Loach is another British director who is in the mix in the In Competition category.

Jimmy's Hall is Loach's new film, and is based on the play by Donal O'Kelly.

The movie is based on an incredible true story of political activist James Gralton, and his battle with the Catholic Church in Ireland in the 1920s.

Barry Ward takes on the role of James Gralton, while Simone Kirby, Andrew Scott, Jim Norton and Brian F.O'Bryne are all also on board.

Loach has delivered films such as The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and Jimmy's Hall looks set to be another film that will have plenty to say.

- Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher is a film that has been moved around and around the release schedule: it will be released in the U.S in November, while a UK release date is yet to be announced.

The movie sees Bennett Miller back in the director's chair as he brings another true story to the big screen.

Miller has already helmed Capote and Moneyball, and now tells the true story of Olympic Wrestling Champion Mark Schultz, who decides to get justice after schizophrenic John du Pont killed his brother, Olympic Champion Dave Schultz.

Channing Tatum and Mark Rufflo will play Mark and Dave Schultz, while Steve Carell is on board as John du Pont. Sienna Miller and Vanessa Redgrave complete the all-star cast list.

There has been excitement brewing around Foxcatcher, and it is already being tipped as a possible Oscar contender. But will it triumph at Cannes?

- Lost River

Lost River - originally called How To Catch A Monster - has been getting a lot of attention, as it marks the feature film directorial debut of Ryan Gosling.

As well as being in the director's chair for the film, Gosling has also written and produced the project.

Christina Hendricks, Ian De Caestecker, Saoirse Ronan, Matt Smith, and Eva Mendes are all on board.

The fantasy/thriller follows a single mother as she gets caught up in a dark and dangerous underworld. At the same time, her son discovers a road that leads to an underwater utopia.

Gosling is one of the best actors of his generation, and it was only a matter of time before he made the leap into the director's chair... I can't wait to see the final result.

Lost River has been selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

- The Rover

The Rover is another film that I cannot wait to see as David Michod returns to the director's chair.

Michod made his debut film back in 2011 with Animal Kingdom, and this is his first movie since that triumph.

The film sees him reunite with actor Guy Pearce, while Robert Pattinson and Scoot McNairy also star.

With society in decline, the rule of law has disintegrated and life is cheap. Hardened loner Eric (Pearce) travels the desolate towns and roads of the scorched and dangerous Australian outback.

When a brutal gang of thieves steals his car and only remaining possession, they leave behind the wounded Rey (Pattinson) in their wake.

Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric gives chase. Determined beyond reason, unrelenting in the pursuit of his prey, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that matters to him.

The movie is not In Competition at the festival, but will receive its premiere at Cannes.