While there are more than a handful of films already touted as prime Palme d’Or contenders, yet to screen is Michel Hazanavicius‘ “The Search.” It’s a big shift for the filmmaker, who is moving from the featherweight “The Artist,” to an epic two-and-a-half-hour wartime drama. And the first trailer is here and it looks like very strong stuff.
Berenice Bejo and Annette Bening star in the remake of Fred Zinneman‘s 1948 film that sets the story against the backdrop of the second Chechen war. Here’s the official synopsis:
The Second Chechen War. 1999. THE SEARCH recounts, on a human scale, a powerful story of conflict told through four lives that will be brought together by a shocking twist of fate.
After his parents are killed in their village, a small boy flees, joining the flood of refugees. He meets Carole, a European Union delegation head and little by little, with her help, he will return to life. At the same time, his elder sister Raïssa searches tirelessly for him amongst the civilian exodus.
Then there’s 20-year-old Kolia… A recent Russian Army recruit, he will gradually be overwhelmed by the daily life of wartime.
And this looks like a powerful film, taking a look at war through the eyes of children, both as victims and soldiers. No U.S. release date yet, but this already looks like an awards season contender. Watch below.
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