As fashion and luxury brands begin to ramp up their entertainment strategies, Saint Laurent reveals three full-length films set to compete in the official selection of the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Launched in April of last year, Saint Laurent Productions is the French Maison's first big step into filmmaking, making it the first fashion house to include a full-fledged film production in its portfolio.
Envisioned by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent, the division co-produced three films, steering the brand’s desire for cinematic depth and subtleties in future collections. The three films are: Emilia Perez by Jacques Audiard, starring Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, Parthenope, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, and David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds starring Vincent Cassel. Here’s a quick look at the three films.
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1. EMILIA PEREZ by Jacques Audiard
Starring a star-studded cast—Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Edgar Ramirez, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Adriana Paz—this film is centred around Rita (played like Saldaña), a lawyer at a prestigious law firm where justice often takes a backseat in favour of winning cases.
Overqualified and undervalued, Rita's life takes a dramatic turn when cartel leader, Manitas (Edgar Ramirez), offers her an unexpected opportunity. Hired to help him exit the criminal world, Manitas reveals a secret plan he's been nurturing for years: To transform into the woman he's always wanted to be.
Produced by Why Not Productions in conjunction with Page 114, Saint Laurent Productions, and Pathé, Emilia Perez promises a gripping exploration of identity and redemption. As Rita navigates this dangerous new path, she finds herself confronting her own desires and fears.
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2. THE SHROUDS by David Cronenberg
The Shrouds is a horror film featuring Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, and Sandrine Holt. The plot follows Karsh, a prominent businessman at the age of 50, who is consumed by grief following the loss of his wife.
In his despair, he creates GraveTech, a revolutionary yet controversial technology allowing the living to monitor their deceased loved ones in their shrouds. However, when multiple graves, including his wife's, are desecrated one fateful night, Karsh is driven to find the culprits.
As he embarks on this quest for justice, Karsh confronts his own demons and the ethical implications of his invention. Produced by Said Ben Said, Martin Katz, and Saint Laurent Productions, The Shrouds promises a gripping exploration of loss, obsession, and the boundaries of technology.
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3. PARTHENOPE by Paolo Sorrentino
This feminine saga chronicles the epic journey of Parthenope's (a siren in Greek mythology) life, spanning from her birth in 1950 to the present day. Starring Celeste Dalla Porta, Parthenope is devoid of heroism yet overflowing with an irresistible passion for freedom, the Naples, and the many faces of love—true, futile, and unspoken.
From the idyllic summers of Capri to the vibrant streets of Naples, the film captures the essence of youth and ends in an unexpected ambush. Along the way, we encounter the diverse characters of Naples, men and women observed and loved, disillusioned yet vital, with their waves of melancholy, tragic ironies, and desolate gazes.
Co-produced by The Apartment Pictures (a Fremantle Company), Saint Laurent Productions, Pathé, and Numero 10, Parthenope promises to capture life's complexities and Naples' enduring allure.
All three films are set to hit the big screen at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024.