Cannes 2016: Diverse International Cinema Gems from Around the Globe
71 titles
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The Unknown GirlMovie · 2016 · 106m · Thriller, Drama, CrimeHaunted by guilt after a patient she declined to treat dies, Dr. Jenny begins investigating the young woman's identity when the police fail to identify her.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.2 - 2
DivinesMovie · 2016 · 105m · DramaIn a poor neighborhood where faith and drug dealing coexist, Dounia craves power and achievement. With her close friend Maimouna's encouragement, she aims to emulate Rebecca, a well-regarded drug trafficker. However, her meeting with Djigui, a young dancer with a captivating presence, disrupts her plans.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.7 - 3
MercenaryMovie · 2016 · 112mSaone, a young man from Wallis and Futuna with Caledonian roots, moves to France to pursue a career as a rugby player. He's driven by a desire for independence and a need to be recognized.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.8 - 4
American HoneyMovie · 2016 · 163m · DramaA restless teenager leaves her difficult home and joins a group of young people traveling the American Midwest, selling magazines. She becomes part of a lifestyle filled with wild parties, dangerous schemes, and short-lived relationships, seeking freedom and a sense of community as they journey across the country.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 5
ElleMovie · 2016 · 131m · Drama, ThrillerWhen Michèle, the CEO of a gaming software company, is attacked at home by a stranger, she's determined to maintain control of her carefully structured world. She navigates family issues while simultaneously being pursued by her stalker in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 6
It's Only the End of the WorldMovie · 2016 · 99m · DramaLouis, a writer with a terminal illness, comes back to his family after being away for a while to share the news that he is dying.IMDb 6.8TMDB 7.2 - 7
The SalesmanMovie · 2016 · 125m · Drama, ThrillerEmad and Rana are displaced from their apartment because of risky construction next door and relocate to a new home in central Tehran. An event connected to the previous occupant of their new apartment profoundly alters the lives of the young couple.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.3 - 8
ChoufMovie · 2016 · 108m · Drama"Chouf" translates to "look" in Arabic, but it's also the name of the watchmen for Marseille's drug cartels. Sofiane, 20, a promising student, returns to his native Marseille ghetto for the holidays. There, he witnesses his brother, a dealer, get shot. Abandoning his studies, Sofiane joins the drug network, driven by revenge. He rapidly climbs the ranks, becoming the boss's trusted lieutenant. Trapped by the system, Sofiane becomes consumed by escalating violence.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.2 - 9
Hands of StoneMovie · 2016 · 111m · DramaBoxing legend Roberto Duran and his trainer Ray Arcel forge a profound connection that transforms both of their lives.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.6 - 10
ApprenticeMovie · 2016 · 96m · DramaAmbitious new correctional officer Aiman is assigned to the nation's most secure prison and draws the attention of Chief Executioner Rahim. Aiman's ambition to become Rahim's apprentice stems from a deep personal need – a haunting connection to his past.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.9 - 11
Birth of a LeaderMovie · 2016 · 15mVincent, a 20-year-old actor with a promising career, receives an offer to play Charles de Gaulle in a highly anticipated biopic. Simultaneously, his parents relocate to Orléans, forcing him to establish himself independently. The film chronicles Vincent's journey as he navigates the challenges of newfound freedom.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.5 - 12
The WailingMovie · 2016 · 156m · Horror, MysteryA stranger appears in a quiet village, followed by the sudden outbreak of a strange illness. A local police officer becomes involved and must unravel the mystery behind the sickness to protect his daughter.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.4 - 13
The Red TurtleMovie · 2016 · 81m · Animation, Drama, FantasyThis wordless film chronicles a castaway's journey through the key phases of life while stranded on a deserted tropical island inhabited by turtles, crabs, and birds.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 14
In the Year of MonkeyMovie · 2016 · 13mDuring his lunch break at a warehouse, Jarwo accepts an unexpected offer from Diah, a desperate village girl.IMDb 8.5TMDB 6.0 - 15
AlbumMovie · 2016 · 105mA couple in their late thirties creates a fabricated photo album documenting a fake pregnancy. Their goal is to demonstrate a biological connection to the child they intend to adopt.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.5 - 16
RawMovie · 2016 · 98m · Horror, DramaJustine comes from a family of veterinarians and vegetarians. At sixteen, she's a bright student about to begin her first year at vet school, following in her older sister's footsteps. But she quickly finds herself facing intense hazing. Justine is unexpectedly forced to eat raw meat for the first time. This experience triggers unforeseen changes as she starts to discover who she really is.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.0 - 17
MimosasMovie · 2016 · 93mA Sheikh nearing the end of his life journeys through the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, accompanied by a caravan and guarded by two untrustworthy men.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.9 - 18
One Week and a DayMovie · 2016 · 98m · Comedy, DramaFollowing the week of mourning for his son, Eyal is encouraged by his wife to resume their normal lives. Instead, he spends time with a young neighbor and begins a journey to find renewed purpose in his life.IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.9 - 19
The HandmaidenMovie · 2016 · 145m · Thriller, Drama, RomanceKorea, 1930s. During Japanese occupation, Sookee takes a job as a handmaiden to Hideko, a Japanese heiress living in isolation on her family's estate, ruled by her controlling Uncle Kouzuki. However, Sookee hides a secret: she's a skilled pickpocket recruited by a con man pretending to be a Japanese Count. His plan is to seduce Hideko and steal her wealth.IMDb 8.1TMDB 8.2 - 20
TramontaneMovie · 2017 · 105mRabih, a young blind man living in a Lebanese village, supports himself by singing in a choir and working as a Braille editor. His world is turned upside down when he attempts to obtain a passport and learns his identification card – the one he's always known – is fraudulent. He is forced on a journey across Lebanon to uncover the truth about his identity.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 21
The Neon DemonMovie · 2016 · 118m · Horror, ThrillerJesse, an eager young woman hoping to become a model, relocates to Los Angeles. There, she finds herself targeted by a clique of women consumed by beauty, who are willing to do anything to achieve the same success she possesses.IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.5 - 22
The Cinema TravellersMovie · 2016 · 96mFor seventy years, mobile cinemas have brought the magic of film to remote villages across India, returning each year. Now, with projectors failing and film reels disappearing, audiences are drawn to modern digital entertainment. A kind showman, a clever exhibitor, and an inventive projector mechanic face a vital task: preserving the world's last traveling cinemas. This critically acclaimed documentary beautifully captures India’s unique film heritage and mourns its fading existence, showcasing stunning visuals and unforgettable characters.IMDb 7.7 - 23
The Girl Who Danced with the DevilMovie · 2016 · 14mA young woman raised in a strict religious environment secretly attends local nightclubs at night.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.5 - 24
TimecodeMovie · 2016 · 15m · Drama, Romance*Timecode* is a 2016 Spanish live-action short film by Juanjo Giménez. The story follows Luna and Diego, who work as parking lot security guards – Luna on the day shift and Diego at night. When Luna's boss asks her to look into a malfunctioning tail light, the situation unfolds. The film won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in 2016 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 89th Academy Awards in 2017.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.1 - 25
PatersonMovie · 2016 · 118m · Drama, Comedy, RomanceThis film follows a week in the life of Paterson, a poet who works as a bus driver, and his wife Laura, a highly creative artist. They live in Paterson, New Jersey, a city with a rich history as a birthplace for many renowned poets and artists.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 26
JulietaMovie · 2016 · 98m · Drama, RomanceThe film follows Julieta through three decades, beginning with a hopeful 1985 and culminating in 2015, when her life seems shattered and she teeters on the edge of losing her mind.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0 - 27
Hell or High WaterMovie · 2016 · 102m · Western, Crime, DramaTo save their family farm in West Texas, a divorced father and his ex-con brother hatch a risky plan.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.3 - 28
The StopoverMovie · 2016 · 102m · Drama, WarAfter serving in Afghanistan, two young female soldiers, Aurore and Marine, are granted a three-day decompression leave with their unit at a luxurious resort in Cyprus, surrounded by vacationers. However, escaping the war and its violence proves more difficult than anticipated.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.3 - 29
Wolf and SheepMovie · 2016 · 86mIn rural Afghanistan, storytelling is how people make sense of their world. The shepherd children rule the mountains, adhering to strict rules, like the prohibition against boys and girls being together. The boys train with slingshots to defend against wolves, while the girls secretly smoke and play at marriage, hoping for husbands. They whisper about Sediqa, an eleven-year-old outsider they believe is cursed. Then, Qodrat, also eleven, becomes the focus of gossip when his mother remarries an older man with two wives. Qodrat wanders the most remote parts of the mountains and encounters Sediqa, and they form a friendship.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.4 - 30
Ma' RosaMovie · 2016 · 110mMa’ Rosa is a well-known figure in her poor Manila neighborhood, running a small convenience store and raising four children with her husband, Nestor. To supplement their income, Rosa and Nestor also sell small amounts of drugs. Their lives are upended when they are arrested. Determined to secure their parents' release from the corrupt police, Rosa’s children will do anything.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.2 - 31
My Life as a ZucchiniMovie · 2016 · 66m · Animation, Comedy, DramaFollowing his mother's passing, Zucchini connects with a compassionate police officer named Raymond, who goes with him to a new foster home housing other children his age. There, Zucchini forges bonds with these new friends and gradually learns to trust and love as he seeks a place to belong.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.8 - 32
The DancerMovie · 2016 · 108m · Drama, HistoryLoïe Fuller, a Midwestern American, rose to fame at the Folies Bergère at the start of the 1900s, becoming a celebrated figure of the Belle Epoque. She revolutionized dance and lighting with her innovative Serpentine Dance. However, her complex relationship with her student, Isadora Duncan, ultimately led to the end of Fuller's celebrated career.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.5 - 33
HarmoniumMovie · 2016 · 120m · DramaToshio takes on Yasaka as a worker in his workshop. However, Yasaka's recent release from prison leads him to interfere in Toshio's family.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.5 - 34
Hissein Habré, A Chadian TragedyMovie · 2016 · 82mThe 2013 arrest of former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré in Senegal brought closure to many who had survived his brutal regime. Mahamat Saleh Haroun, head of the Association of the Victims of the Hissène Habré Regime, joins them to meet with those who endured his tyranny and still carry the physical and emotional wounds. Through their bravery and perseverance, the victims achieve a historic first for Africa: successfully bringing a former Head of State to justice.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.2 - 35
The DunceMovie · 2016 · 110mLaurent is searching for direction after a life spent avoiding responsibility. He struggles with his father, Rodolphe, and they both have difficulty showing each other affection. Surrounded by women, Rodolphe is consumed by a single desire: to reconnect with Marguerite, his first love.IMDb 5.3TMDB 5.8 - 36
From the Land of the MoonMovie · 2016 · 120m · Drama, RomanceFrance, 1950s. A woman yearning for freedom finds herself bound by a loveless marriage. She develops a connection with a war veteran recovering from injuries sustained in Indochina.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.6 - 37
The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli MäkiMovie · 2016 · 95m · Drama, RomanceSummer 1962. Olli Mäki, a Finnish boxer, is on the verge of winning the world featherweight championship. He's traveled from the countryside to Helsinki, and everything is set for him to achieve fame and wealth. All he needs to do is train and focus. However, Olli is struggling because he's fallen in love with Raija.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.6 - 38
DogsMovie · 2016 · 104m · Drama, ThrillerRoman inherits a large, isolated property near the Ukrainian border and plans to sell it. However, the local police warn him that his grandfather was a notorious crime boss, and his former associates will fiercely resist the sale, especially regarding their smuggling operations on the land.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.2 - 39
PericleMovie · 2016 · 104mA former adult film performer now working as a muscle for a powerful mafia boss is caught in the middle of a violent gang war when a simple job spirals out of control. Forced to flee for his life, he must go on the run.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.4 - 40
The StudentMovie · 2016 · 118m · DramaA teenage student grows increasingly certain that the world is consumed by wickedness, leading him to question the values and principles of the adults in his life.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.4 - 41
The TransfigurationMovie · 2016 · 97m · Horror, DramaTroubled teenager Milo, obsessed with vampire stories, connects with Sophie, another outcast. Their friendship deepens, and Milo's imaginative world starts to feel increasingly real.IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.0 - 42
Gimme DangerMovie · 2016 · 108m · Documentary, MusicThe Stooges uniquely blended raw, powerful music with psychedelic sounds, bluesy rhythms, and sharp, angry lyrics. Their charismatic frontman was a distinctive figure, embodying a mix of theatricality and rebellious energy. They were unlike any other band before them, yet countless artists have since drawn inspiration from them. This film explores the musical, cultural, political, and historical forces that shaped The Stooges. It follows their journey, examining their influences, early struggles for success, and enduring impact on music.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.8 - 43
Chasse RoyaleMovie · 2016 · 28mAngélique, 13, is the oldest of a large family living in the suburbs of Valenciennes. One day at school, she is invited to audition for a film.IMDb 6.5TMDB 7.3 - 44
Blood FatherMovie · 2016 · 88m · Action, Thriller, DramaA former convict reconnects with his teenage daughter, who has been drifting away from him. He must now shield her from dangerous drug dealers who are targeting her for murder.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.2 - 45
AnnaMovie · 2015 · 24mOn a scorching summer day, Anna takes a short trip through her quiet, deserted desert town. She seeks a brief, comforting touch from a stranger.IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.4 - 46
After the StormMovie · 2016 · 117m · DramaRyota, a writer who gained recognition with a literary award 15 years ago but remains largely unknown, now works as a private detective. Divorced from his ex-wife Kyoko and father to 11-year-old Shingo, he lives with his mother Yoshiko. One day, Ryota, Kyoko, and Shingo gather at Yoshiko's apartment. A typhoon forces them to spend the night together.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 47
The Lives of ThérèseMovie · 2016 · 55mThérèse Clerc is a prominent figure in the fight for social change, having championed abortion rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. Recently diagnosed with a terminal illness, she reflects on her life, offering a heartfelt and honest account of the struggles and relationships that shaped her activism.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 48
The Death of Louis XIVMovie · 2016 · 115m · Drama, HistoryAugust 1715. During a walk, Louis XIV experiences a leg pain. In the following days, the king continues with his duties, but struggles to sleep and develops a high fever. He eats very little and grows progressively weaker. This marks the beginning of the great French king's prolonged suffering, as he is attended by family and physicians.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5 - 49
Cinema NovoMovie · 2016 · 93mThis film explores a major movement in Brazilian cinema through the perspectives of its key figures. Emerging in the early 1960s, these filmmakers pioneered a politically charged approach to filmmaking, consistently focusing on the struggles of ordinary people. Their work uniquely blended artistic expression with revolutionary ideals.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.7 - 50
Slack BayMovie · 2016 · 122m · ComedySummer 1910. Inspectors Machin and Malfoy investigate the puzzling vanishing of several tourists on the scenic shores of Slack Bay, a place home to an unusual community of fishermen.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.6 - 51
Fool MoonMovie · 2016 · 109mOndine and Paul were deeply in love. After she leaves him, he vows never to love again. To test this resolve, he begins pursuing Camille, intending to seduce and then discard her. However, Camille casts a spell on Paul, wanting him only for herself. As he succumbs to her allure, Paul is haunted by memories of his lost love.IMDb 5.2TMDB 6.4 - 52
The BFGMovie · 2016 · 117m · Adventure, Family, FantasyA young orphan girl befriends a kind giant who takes her to his homeland, Giant Country. Together, they try to stop the man-eating giants who are attacking the human world.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.3 - 53
The Last FaceMovie · 2017 · 130m · DramaDr. Miguel, a dedicated Spanish physician, risks his own safety to provide medical care to people affected by armed conflicts in Africa.IMDb 5.1TMDB 5.6 - 54
Wrong ElementsMovie · 2017 · 133mUganda, 1989. Guided by visions, young Acholi rebel Joseph Kony establishes the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in opposition to the government. The LRA forcibly recruits children – over 60,000 in 25 years, with fewer than half surviving. Among those abducted at ages 12 and 13 are friends Geoffrey, Nighty, Mike, and Lapisa. Now, attempting to rebuild their lives, they return to the locations that defined their lost childhood. Haunted by their past as both victims and perpetrators of terrible acts they didn't comprehend, they remain outsiders in a society that rejects them. Meanwhile, the Ugandan army continues its pursuit of the remaining LRA rebels deep within the Central African jungle, while Joseph Kony remains at large.IMDb 7.3TMDB 5.6 - 55
The Together ProjectMovie · 2016 · 82m · Drama, Comedy, RomanceIn Montreuil, Samir, a thin crane operator, becomes deeply infatuated with Agathe, a master swimmer at the Thorez pool. He begins taking swimming lessons from her, but his deception is quickly discovered – Agathe despises liars. When Agathe is selected to represent Seine-Saint-Denis at the 10th International Masters Swimming Congress in Iceland, Samir is compelled to follow her.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.9 - 56The BeastMovie · 2016 · 14mA backhoe operator from the countryside takes a job at a construction site in a seaside resort, which quickly becomes problematic. To maintain control and ensure the demolition work is completed legally, he must eliminate an unwanted witness.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.0
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AquariusMovie · 2016 · 147m · DramaClara, a lively former music critic and widow with long hair, is the last resident of a historic building slated for demolition by ambitious developers planning luxury high-rises. Clara fiercely resists the developers' attempts to force her from her home.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.5 - 58
GraduationMovie · 2016 · 128m · DramaWhen his daughter suffers a debilitating injury after an assault, threatening her chance to study abroad in the UK, a Romanian doctor is determined to ensure her future.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.7 - 59
In Bed with VictoriaMovie · 2016 · 97m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceVictoria, a divorced lawyer in her thirties, is finding it hard to juggle motherhood with her career. Sharp and world-weary, she's close to breaking point. While at a friend's wedding, she unexpectedly reunites with Vincent, an old friend, and Sam, a former client. These encounters signal a potential shift in her life.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.9 - 60
Personal ShopperMovie · 2016 · 106m · Drama, Mystery, ThrillerMaureen, in her mid-twenties, works as a personal shopper for a famous media personality. The job allows her to live in Paris, a city she's determined to leave only after finding her twin brother, who died there years ago. Her search takes an unexpected turn when she begins receiving cryptic text messages from an unknown number.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.9 - 61
Café SocietyMovie · 2016 · 97m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceIn 1930s Hollywood, a young man arrives with dreams of a career in film. He falls in love and becomes immersed in the lively café culture that shaped the era.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.4 - 62
Captain FantasticMovie · 2016 · 118m · Adventure, DramaIn the Pacific Northwest wilderness, a father dedicated to a strict, physically and intellectually demanding upbringing for his six children must venture into the outside world. This journey forces him to reconsider his beliefs about parenthood.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.9 - 63
I, Daniel BlakeMovie · 2016 · 100m · DramaA middle-aged carpenter, now reliant on government assistance following a work injury, finds his life intersecting with a single mother facing similar circumstances.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7 - 64
The Nice GuysMovie · 2016 · 116m · Comedy, Crime, ActionIn 1970s Los Angeles, a private investigator examines the seemingly self-inflicted death of a declining adult film actress, and his investigation reveals a hidden plot.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 65
Toni ErdmannMovie · 2016 · 162m · Comedy, DramaA father believes his daughter has lost her sense of humor, so he unexpectedly visits her while she's living in another country and overwhelms her with silly jokes.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0 - 66
Staying VerticalMovie · 2016 · 98m · DramaScreenwriter Leo travels to the south of France searching for inspiration. There, he falls for Marie, a vibrant shepherdess. Nine months later, she gives birth to their child. Struggling with postpartum depression and losing faith in Leo's inconsistent presence, Marie leaves them both. Leo is left alone, responsible for caring for his infant.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.1 - 67
LovingMovie · 2016 · 123m · Drama, RomanceIn 1958 Virginia, interracial marriage was illegal and widely condemned. Richard and Mildred Loving's love exists under a constant barrage of disapproval and scrutiny. Their marriage is met with arrest, prompting them to challenge the law in the Supreme Court, fighting for their right to be together. Based on a true story.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 68
Diamond IslandMovie · 2016 · 101mEighteen-year-old Bora journeys from his village to Diamond Island, a construction site building a luxurious, futuristic paradise for the wealthy – a symbol of Cambodia's future. He connects with the other workers and unexpectedly finds his older brother, Solei, who disappeared five years prior. Solei introduces Bora to a vibrant world of city life, appealing women, nightlife, and enticing dreams.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.1 - 69
ClashMovie · 2016 · 95m · Thriller, DramaIn 2013, following the ouster of President Morsi, a chaotic atmosphere in Cairo leads to a group of detainees from diverse backgrounds being confined together in a police truck.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.5 - 70
Money MonsterMovie · 2016 · 99m · Thriller, DramaFinancial television host Lee Gates and his producer Patty face a crisis when an angry investor seizes control of their studio.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.4 - 71
Train to BusanMovie · 2016 · 118m · Horror, Thriller, ActionA zombie virus outbreak forces South Korea into a national emergency. Onboard a speeding train to Busan, passengers must fight desperately to stay alive.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.7
