Italian filmmaker to open Cannes Directors’ Fortnight

Music, history and magic realism on the menu for world premiere

by Richard Mowe

Juliette Jouan in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight opener Scarlet
Juliette Jouan in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight opener Scarlet Photo: Courtesy of Cannes Directors' Fortnight

Hot on the heels of the announcement yesterday of the Cannes Film Festival’s official selection the Directors’ Fortnight (La Quinzaine des réalisateurs) have revealed that the opening title will be a world premiere on 18 May of Scarlet (L'envol) by critically acclaimed Italian film-maker Petro Marcello.

The director was noted for Venice prize-winning Martin Eden.

His new film stars Juliette Jouan, Louis Garrel, Noémie Lvovsky and Raphaël Thierry.

Set In northern France, Juliette grows up alone with her father, Raphaël, a First World War veteran. She spends all her days between music and literature. Once, she meets a witch who reveals to her that some scarlet sails will appear to take her away from the village. The young girl will then never stop believing in the prophecy.

The script has been freely inspired by the tale The Scarlet Sails by Aleksandr Grin, a 20th century Russian pacifist writer.

Marcello's film mixes the conventions of a musical with a historical tale, bordering on magical realism.

Share this with others on...
News

Where crows are watching JP Davidson and Craig Russell on nature, belief, UK horror and The Cull

Truth and lies Sean Hogan on true crime documentaries, unknowable characters and The Dark Gets In

A walking contradiction Sinéad O'Shea on James 'Fergie' Chambers Jr and All About The Money

Unconventional families Milcho Manchevski on being blacklisted and making Sister Brother Manhole Cover

Expecting the unexpected Jordan Mark Windsor and Sean Wallace on Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant

Celluloid vampire Arthur Harari on Léa Seydoux, the mystery of ideas, and The Unknown

Patrick Stewart dies X-men and Star Trek actor was 86

More news and features

We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the Belfast Film Festival, the Cheltenham International Film Festival and the Leeds International Film Festival.



We're looking forward to the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the French Film Festival and DOC NYC.



We've recently brought you coverage of Halloween Frightfest, the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, Newfest, the London Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, Grimmfest and Beyond Fest.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon, Instagram and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


Sundance Announces Legacy line-up of archive films


Frightfest Newcastle event announced for May 2027


French Film Festival UK Programme announced


Tallinn Black Nights Documentary line-up and Special Screenings announced


London Winners announced