Father And Soldier c Marie-Clemence David

Source: Marie-Clemence David

‘Father And Soldier’

Cannes Film Festival has added Mathieu Vadepied’s war drama Father & soldier (sic) starring Omar Sy to the 2022 Official Selection as the opening title of the Un Certain Regard section. 

The film, which also stars Alassane Diong and Jonas Bloquet, will open the section on May 18.

The Franco-Senegalese co-production, shot in France and Senegal, tells the story of Bakary Diallo, a father, who enlists in the French army in 1917 to join Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was drafted by force.

Sent to the front, father and son will have to face the war together.

The screenplay is by Vadepied and Olivier Demangel, with Sy producing alongside Bruno Nahon, for France’s Unité and Korokoro.

The initial Cannes lineup was announced earlier this month, with a further 17 titles added last week.