Cannes ACID Section Unveils Exciting Lineup from Feel-Good Depression Film to Olympic Drama

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At the 2025 edition of ACID (an independent film section at the Cannes Film Festival), nine distinctive feature films have been chosen for screening.

This collection features “L’aventura” by Sophie Letourneur, “The Black Snake” by Aurélien Vernhes-Lermusiaux, the movie “Drifting” directed by Anton Balekdjian along with Léo Couture and Mattéo Eustachon, Lucio Castro’s “Drunken Noodles,” Pedro Cabeleira’s “Entroncamento,” and “A Light That Never Goes Out” by first-time director Lauri-Matti Parppei.

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The lineup includes Sophie Letourneur’s “L’aventura,” Aurélien Vernhes-Lermusiaux’s “The Black Snake,” the Anton Balekdjian, Léo Couture, and Mattéo Eustachon directed film “Drifting,” Lucio Castro’s “Drunken Noodles,” Pedro Cabeleira’s “Entroncamento,” and “A Light That Never Goes Out” by debut director Lauri-Matti Parppei.

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This ensemble comprises of:
1. Sophie Letourneur’s “L’aventura”
2. Aurélien Vernhes-Lermusiaux’s “The Black Snake”
3. The movie “Drifting,” directed by Anton Balekdjian with Léo Couture and Mattéo Eustachon as co-directors
4. Lucio Castro’s “Drunken Noodles”
5. Pedro Cabeleira’s “Entroncamento”
6. “A Light That Never Goes Out,” directed by debuting director Lauri-Matti Parppei.

Three documentaries were selected too, including Sylvain George’s “Obscure Night – Aren’t I a Child?”, Sepideh Farsi’s “Place Your Soul on Your Hand and Stride Forth” and Namir Abdel Messeeh’s “Life After Siham.”

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Three documentaries were also picked, among them Sylvain George’s “Obscure Night – Am I Not a Child?”, Sepideh Farsi’s “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Take a Walk” and Namir Abdel Messeeh’s “Life After Siham.”

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Additionally, three documentaries were selected, with Sylvain George’s “Obscure Night – Ain’t I a Child?”, Sepideh Farsi’s “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” and Namir Abdel Messeeh’s “Life After Siham” being part of the group.

As a captivated observer, I can confidently assert that after experiencing these films, you won’t casually remark, ‘I’ve seen it before.’ Instead, you’ll find yourself questioning, ‘What on earth transpired?’ Prior to our encounter, I had engaged in conversation with someone who repeatedly inquired, ‘What’s the central motif?’ For Pauline Ginot, ACID’s general delegate, narrating tales in an unconventional manner is not just a theme – it’s the only theme.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but appreciate the significance of a hub like Cannes for filmmakers. It serves as a crucial launchpad for independent cinema, which is not only important for us, but also for the broader film community. These unique films are often viewed by fellow creators, making it an exceptional platform that fosters innovation and diversity in our industry. Simply put, it’s just different – and that’s what makes it special.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to be part of the vibrant ACID (Association of Cinema Directors International), a collective of talented filmmakers. This year, our programming committee, which I had the privilege to serve on, was a stellar group of 14 visionaries: Romain André, Camila Beltran, Sonia Ben Slama, Bernard Cerf, Lana Cheramy, Mona Convert, Jan Gassman, Pascale Hannoyer, Julien Meunier, Nicolas Peduzzi, Benoit Sabatier, Idir Serghine, Clara Teper, and Pamela Varela. Their collective genius will undoubtedly shape the cinematic landscape for years to come.

Ginot noted that they deeply enjoy viewing movies produced by their contemporaries. This platform, he explained, is heavily impacted by the filmmakers’ ambition to narrate tales in an innovative manner, to break free from the conventional and familiar.

These chosen directors don’t strive to convey a specific message. Rather, they have faith in the power of cinematic tools, while infusing their work with plenty of wit and whimsy. They genuinely enjoy creating movies and delight in the opportunity to share them with audiences.

ACID is excited to uncover fresh talents, like debutant Lauri-Matti Parppei from Finland. Here’s what our team had to say about it: “This movie tackles depression in an uplifting way. It’s a genuine pleasure to introduce new filmmakers to the world. We feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity. There’s nothing more exciting than announcing: ‘Look, here’s a novice who’s created a fantastic film.’

There’s room for additional renowned filmmakers like Sepideh Farsi of “The Siren,” who is currently involved in a co-production with Palestine titled “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk.

Ginot pondered, “How can we showcase a war film at Cannes amidst the festivities and champagne toasts? Two years ago, we grappled with this question when presenting ‘In the Rearview’ about Ukraine. How do we introduce the harsh realities of war into the glamour of Cannes?

This film isn’t solely focused on Palestine; it delves into a significant encounter between two women hailing from the Arab region, one being Iranian and the other Palestinian. It explores themes of our limitations and the words we can or cannot express during conflict, with the central character remaining in Gaza.

Sophie Letourneur is gearing up for the release of her fifth movie, featuring Philippe Katerine, who gained prominence during the Paris Olympics and stirred significant debate with his portrayal of a “blue character” in the opening ceremony.

Ginot smiled, saying the movie revolves around disorder. It’s no accident that Philippe is part of it; he himself has been known to instigate an unusual sort of turmoil.

She’s not only narrating stories with these films, but rather, she’s seeking to create innovative methods for portraying ordinary life instances. Our goal is to discover movies that aren’t merely scripts being played out.

The storyline of ‘Drifting Laurent’ offers unexpected plot developments, even as it tackles modern-day topics. The main character embarks on a quest to find life’s purpose within an abandoned ski resort.

Ginot remarked that it’s hard to predict where ‘Drunken Noodles,’ by Lucio Castro, is leading us. He likened it to a grown-up’s fairy tale, a waltz in choreography that traverses between Pierre Creton’s ‘A Prince’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ with a hint of the extraordinary.

Ginot asserted that documentaries should receive their fair share of recognition. He mentioned that it’s challenging to exhibit them in French theaters, but he passionately desires to screen both documentaries and animated features, not just fictional films. This endeavor is about breaking new ground. Plus, we simply adore movies. We’re fortunate to be part of this profession,” said Ginot.

The Adventure”
Genre: Fiction (France)
Sophie Letourneur’s fifth movie, starring Philippe Katerine, Bérénice Vernet, Esteban Melero, and Letourneur herself, is a production of Tourne Films & Atelier de Production. The story unfolds during the summer vacation in Sardinia, Italy. A family road trip commences, with Claudine, on the verge of turning 11, narrating their experiences as they journey. However, this narrative is occasionally interrupted by Raoul, her younger brother’s, mischievous antics.

The Black Snake” (French, Colombian, Brazilian Production)

Synopsis: After a long absence, the character Ciro returns to the Colombian Tatacoa desert, where his mother is gravely ill. He must face those he left behind and an ancient family legacy as the last protectors of the delicate desert terrain continue their watch. Aurélien Vernhes-Lermusiaux’s film stars Alexis Tafur, Miguel Angel Viera, Angela Rodríguez, Laura Valentina Quintero, and Virgelina Gil. Dublin Films from France produces, along with Burning from Colombia and Vulcana Cinema from Brazil.

“The Black Snake” (Co-production between France, Colombia, and Brazil)

After a prolonged absence, the character Ciro reappears in the Colombian Tatacoa desert, by his mother’s sickbed. He must deal with past relationships he abandoned and an age-old family tradition, as the remaining guardians of this stunning yet fragile land carry out their duties. The film is directed by Aurélien Vernhes-Lermusiaux and features performances by Alexis Tafur, Miguel Angel Viera, Angela Rodríguez, Laura Valentina Quintero, and Virgelina Gil. Dublin Films from France takes the lead on production, with Burning from Colombia and Vulcana Cinema from Brazil contributing as co-producers.

The Vagabond Laurent”

Genre: Fiction (France)

Directed by: Anton Balekdjian, Léo Couture and Mattéo Eustachon

Starring: Baptiste Pérusate, Béatrice Dalle, and Djanis Bouzyani

Production Company: Mabel Film

Synopsis: At the age of 29, Laurent is searching for purpose in life. He finds himself in a deserted ski resort during its off-season and quickly adapts to the peculiar lives of its few inhabitants. However, when winter arrives and tourists start streaming in, Laurent discovers he can no longer depart from this remote location.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d say: “In the Big Apple, I, Adnan – an aspiring artist myself – find myself temporary housing for the summer. I’m working at a gallery showcasing an eccentric elder artist whom I’ve crossed paths with before. As my yesteryears and today blend together, a captivating assortment of encounters – creative and carnal – expose fissures in my routine existence. The movie is distributed by m-Appeal.

Crossroads” (Fictional Film from Portugal or France)
Directed by Pedro Cabeleira, featuring Ana Vilaça, Cleo Diára, Rafael Morais, this film delves into the life of Laura. Having fled a tumultuous past, she endeavors to construct a new life. However, the disenchanted youth, much like herself, presents a formidable challenge. Is an honest profession’s appeal enough to resist the temptation of criminal activities? The streets are dominated by violence, misfortune, greed, and loyalty. Each individual yearns for a superior existence. “Crossroads” is produced by Optec Filmes – Sociedade Óptica Técnic, with Kometa Films serving as co-producer.

An Unextinguishable Light” (Finland, Norway)
In his directorial debut, Lauri-Matti Parppei collaborates with Made and Goodtime Pictures to present a tale about Pauli, a classical flutist, who returns home after suffering a breakdown. Reuniting with an old classmate named Iiris, he becomes entangled in the realm of experimental music. Despite his lifelong pursuit of perfection, Pauli finds solace in their shared musical endeavors. The cast includes Samuel Kujala, Anna Rosaliina Kauno, Camille Auer, and Kaisa-Leena Koskenkorva.

“Life Beyond Siham” Documentary (France, Egypt)
In this film, Namir Abdel Messeeh shares his story of losing a mother he thought was immortal when Siham passed away. To preserve her memory, Namir embarks on a journey through the family history spanning both Egypt and France. As Youssef Chahine’s cinema serves as his guide, a tale unfolds that explores exile, but more importantly, love. Oweda Films takes the lead in production, with Les Films d’ici, Ambient Light & Redstar providing co-production support.

Parisian Nights – Am I Not Still Young?” (Documentary, France, Switzerland, Portugal)

In this eighth cinematic journey by director Sylvain George, post-following ‘Obscure Night: Goodbye Here, Anywhere’ and ‘Obscure Night: Wild Leaves (the Burning Ones, the Stubborn)’, produced by noir production, we delve into the clandestine lives of young exiles as they navigate the Parisian nights. The film captures fleeting actions and vivid personas, portraying youth as a force of existence, and subtly reveals alternative ways of coexisting with the world through moments of silence and prolonged duration.

“Place Your Heart in Your Hand and Tread On”Documentary (France, Palestine, Iran)
A Rêves d’eau productions title, directed by Sepideh Farsi, known for animated “The Siren,” presents a window into the world, opened through an extraordinary meeting with Fatem, revealing glimpses of the ongoing struggle and suffering of the Palestinians. “She serves as my eyes in Gaza, and I, her link to the outside,” said the director. “For nearly a year now, we’ve kept this line of life active. The fragments of pixels and sound that passed between us have become the film you see.

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2025-04-15 10:17