Acclaimed filmmakers Alice Winocour, Arnaud Desplechin, the collaborative duo of Kentaro Hirase and Yutaro Seki, Agnieszka Holland, and Milagros Mumenthaler will lock horns in the prestigious official selection at the San Sebastian Film Festival with their latest cinematic endeavors. Winocour, who garnered the Special Jury Prize at the San Sebastián Film Festival in 2019 for her film 'Proxima,' makes a triumphant return to the competition with 'Couture,' a French-American co-production featuring the talents of Angelina Jolie and Louis Garrel, immersing viewers in the glamorous yet intricate world of fashion.
French auteur Desplechin makes his competitive debut at the festival with 'Two Pianos,' a poignant tale of unrequited love centered around a virtuoso pianist's return to his hometown of Lyon. The stellar ensemble cast includes François Civil, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Charlotte Rampling, and Hippolyte Girardot, promising an emotional journey filled with depth and nuance.
The directorial pair of Hirase and Seki, who previously collaborated on 'Roleless' in 2022 alongside Masahiko Sato, will unveil their sophomore feature 'Sai,' a Japanese production shrouded in mystery. Teruyuki Kagawa reprises his acting prowess in this dark narrative, where a enigmatic figure, donning various identities, tragically intertwines with the lives of several individuals.
Elsewhere, Holland returns to San Sebastian with 'Franz,' a compelling biopic on the life of Franz Kafka. Argentine helmer Milagros Mumenthaler steps into the competition ring with her third film, 'The Currents,' a Swiss-Argentine co-production starring Isabel Aimé González Sola. The film delves into the complex psyche of a woman confronting a haunting past she believed she had left behind.
Joining these esteemed offerings are four Spanish productions that were previously announced: 'Maspalomas' by Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi, 'Good Valley Stories' by José Luis Guerin, 'Los Tigres' by Alberto Rodríguez, and 'Sundays' by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa. The remaining feature films slated for competition will be revealed in the forthcoming weeks.
The 73rd edition of the San Sebastian International Film Festival promises an exhilarating cinematic experience from September 19 to 27.
