The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed on Wednesday the nominations for its 96th ceremony in March and nine were featured in Cannes’ Official Selection.
Actors Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid announced the nominations live from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater via a global live stream and the Academy’s digital platforms, an international satellite feed and broadcast media.
Afterwards, the Festival de Cannes congratulated the nine films that had received Oscars nominations and had also featured in its Official Selection. They will be represented in 16 categories and cumulating 26 nominations on 11th March in Los Angeles.
Among those to make the cut is Justine Triet’s 2023 Palme d’or winner, Anatomy of a Fall, produced by Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, distributed in France by Jean Labadie and Le Pacte, by Tom Quinn and Neon in the US and sold internationally by mk2 Films. The film is nominated in five categories: Best Director for Justine Triet, Best Actress in a leading role for Sandra Hüller, Best Original screenplay for Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, Best Editing for Laurent Sénéchal and Best Picture.
Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet (France, 2023) – Competition – Palme D’Or
5 nominations: Actress in a leading role; Best picture; Film editing; Directing; Writing (original screenplay)
Justine Triet dissects relationships in her movie. The plot: Sandra, Samuel and their visually impaired son Daniel have been living in a remote mountain location for the past year. When Samuel is found dead outside the house, an investigation for death in suspicious circumstances is launched. Amidst the uncertainty, Sandra is indicted: Was it suicide or homicide? A year later Daniel attends his mother’s trial, a veritable dissection of his parents’ relationship.
Elemental by Peter Sohn (USA, 2023) – Out of Competition
1 Nomination: Animated feature film
Pixar’s Elemental is an original feature film set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.
Four Daughters by Kaouther Ben Hania (France, Tunisia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, 2023) – Competition
1 Nomination: Documentary feature film
Between light and darkness stands Olfa, a Tunisian woman and the mother of four daughters.
One day, her two older daughters disappear. To fill in their absence, the filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania invites professional actresses and invents a unique cinema experience that will lift the veil on Olfa and her daughters’ life stories.
An intimate journey of hope, rebellion, violence, transmission and sisterhood that will question the very foundations of our societies.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny by James Mangold (USA, 2023) – Out of Competition
1 Nomination: Music (original score)
Harrison Ford returns to the role of the legendary hero archaeologist for this fifth installment of the iconic franchise.
Killers of the Flower Moon by Martin Scorsese (USA, 2023) – Out of Competition
10 Nominations: Actress in a leading role; Actor in a supporting role; Best picture; Cinematography; Costume design; Directing; Film editing; Music (original score); Music (original song); Production design
Based on David Grann’s broadly lauded best-selling book, Killers of the Flower Moon is set in 1920s Oklahoma and depicts the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation, a string of brutal crimes that came to be known as the Reign of Terror.
May December by Todd Haynes (USA, 2022) – Competition
1 Nomination: Writing (original screenplay)
Questioning the past with May December. Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple buckles under the pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past.
Perfect Day by Wim Wenders (Japan, 2023) – Competition – Best Actor
1 Nomination: International feature film
Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.
Robot Dreams by Pablo Berger (Spain, France, 2023) – Special screenings
1 Nomination: Animated feature film
Dog lives in Manhattan and he’s tired of being alone. One day he decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of 80’s NYC. One summer night, Dog, with great sadness, is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. Will they ever meet again?
Robot Dreams is the first animation film by the award-winning director Pablo Berger (Blancanieves). A story about friendship, its importance, and its fragility.
The Zone of Interest by Jonathan Glazer (USA, UK, Poland, 2022) – Competition – Grand Prix
5 Nominations: Best picture; Directing; International feature film; Sound; Writing (adapted screenplay)
Jonathan Glazer reflects on Humanity with this movie. The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival will take place from Tuesday 14th to Saturday 25th May 2024. The Official Selection will be unveiled mid-April.