The 48th Deauville Festival was held from September 2 to 11. The American festival was as always in the spotlight for this edition marked by the arrival of Ana de Armas for “Blonde”, by the previews of “X” and the new Olivia Wilde, as well as by the discovery of first films with unexpected mastery. Image of a ©Olivier Vigerie & Jacques Basile
Deauville 2022, after Johnny Depp
In 2021, the 47th Deauville American Film Festival was marked by the arrival of Johnny Depp. A prestigious guest, who we still remember one year later. But difficult to pass after such a famous actor. Difficult to be “the edition after”.
Indeed, during the 48th American Film Festival of Deauville (from September 2 to 11), the absence of guests with such a powerful aura that Johnny Depp (or Oliver Stone, also present last year) will have made itself felt. An observation made by some members of the festival teams (security, volunteers, etc.) and journalists. However, the organizers will have been able to find the right balance to fill the hall of the CID (main venue of the festival) at each screening – even on weekdays when attendance is usually less.
We will thus have noted a smooth opening with Lucy Boynton, winner of the New Hollywood prize. Then, Jesse Eisenberg and Thandiwe Newton will have followed her the following days (honored with a Deauville Talent Award). But it is above all the coming ofAna de Armas who offered a touch of glamor at the end of the festival. The star of the moment was present for the screening of the film Blonde hair and to also receive a New Hollywood award.
The great discoveries of the competition
But the main interest of the Deauville festival remains the discovery of independent American cinema of the moment. On the side of the competition (list below)our crush will not have taken long because from Sunday September 4th we discovered the demanding but overwhelming aftersun, where a father in deep ill-being tries to keep smiling in front of his daughter during their summer vacation. An impressive work of mastery and subtlety on the part of Charlotte Wells (see our article), which was logically rewarded.
Masteryshe will also have struck us with the preview ofAt the Gatesthe first feature film by Augustus Meleo Bernstein which will have well deserved its standing ovation several minutes (a rarity in Deauville) on the evening of September 5. A director to follow who confided to us in an interview his emotion (and that of his parents who accompanied him) after having been able to present for the first time his film in front of an audience.
In addition to these two films, we will retain the very interesting war pony about a poor youth left to fend for itself on a Native American reservation and who was awarded twice. the pretty Over/Under about the loss of innocence of two teenage friends. The difficult journey of two brothers facing a mother addicted to drugs in Stay Awake, inspired by the life of the director, and thus featuring an adult who fails the child, a recurring theme of this edition. Or the very effective fleece Emily the Criminalone of the rare genre films in this selection which contrasted with the pure dramas offered (see our opinion), and which will have conquered the public.
Discover the complete winners of the 48th Deauville Festival below:
The biggest for the end
Finally, to accompany this competitionfestival-goers will have been able to discover a great variety of previews (including At the Gates so). first with Armageddon Time, the new James Gray passed by the Cannes Film Festival. Then with Without filterawarded him the Palme d’Or at Cannes and which provoked the astonishing hilarity of the Deauville public (see our review).
Finally, the horror movie Xpresented after the event Blonde hair, jostled the audience for our greatest pleasure (see our opinion), before the expected Don’t Worry Darling by Olivia Wilde does not come to conclude the festival with a political message on the patriarchy by adopting the form of an entertainment between Shyamalan, Jordan Peele and the Wachowskis, in less remarkable.
