By Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer
Leo Carax's "Annette," starring Marion Cotillard and Adam Driver, will open the 74th Cannes Film Festival on July 6, festival organizers said Monday.
"Annette" is Carax's first English-language film and the French director's anticipated follow-up to his celebrated, surreal 2012 film "Holy Motors." Set in contemporary Los Angeles, "Annette" stars Driver and Cotillard as a glamorous couple — Driver plays a stand-up comedian, Cotillard a famous singer — whose first child is "a mysterious girl with an exceptional destiny," according the festival's description.
"Every Leo Carax film is an event. And this one delivers on its promises," said Pierre Lescure, president of the festival. "'Annette' is the gift that lovers of cinema, music and culture were hoping for, one that we have been yearning for during the past year."
Cannes was canceled last year due to the pandemic but is planning — "with confidence and determination," the festival said Monday — an in-person edition this summer, two months later than its usual May dates. Spike Lee is set as president of the jury. Selections are to be announced at the end of May.
No North American release date has yet been announced for "Annette," which Amazon Studios is distributing in the U.S. The film's release in France will coincide with its Cannes premiere.
"We couldn't have dreamed of a more beautiful reunion with cinema and the silver screen, in the Palais des Festivals where films come to assert their splendor," said Thierry Frémaux, Cannes' general delegate. "Carax's cinema is an expression of these powerful gestures, these mysterious alchemies that makes the secret of cinema's modernity and eternity."
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More