The French Dispatch

Source: Searchlight Pictures

The French Dispatch

Wes Anderson’s comedy-drama The French Dispatch is set to world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival (July 6-17), ahead of a US theatrical release by Searchlight Pictures on October 22.

The latest feature from US filmmaker Anderson has long been rumoured to debut on the Croisette, having previously been expected to bow at Cannes in 2020. But after delays due to the pandemic, both the premiere and theatrical release were delayed.

Searchlight Pictures has now confirmed both its autumn release date and premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, which was due to reveal its Official Selection today before it was pushed back to June 3.

The only other titles confirmed for this year’s Cannes to date are Leos Carax’s Annette, which will open the festival, Paul Verhoeven’s Benedetta. Spike Lee will preside over the jury.

The French Dispatch has also been selected for the 59th New York Film Festival, set to take place from September 24-October 10.

The US awards season release on October 22 comes on the same weekend as Edgar Wright’s Last Night In Soho, from Focus Features, and Clint Eastwood’s Cry Macho, from Warner Bros.

Anderson’s all-star feature centres on staff at a fictitious American publication in France. The ensemble cast includes this year’s best lead actress Oscar winner Frances McDormand (Nomadland), Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Timothée Chalamet and Owen Wilson.

Anderson penned the screenplay from a story he wrote with Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness and Jason Schwartzman. Producers are Anderson, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson.

It marks the 10th feature by Anderson, whose Moonrise Kingdom played in Competition at Cannes in 2012. His previous film was animation Isle Of Dogs, for which Anderson won the Silver Bear for best director at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2018, having won the Berlinale’s grand jury prize in 2014 with The Grand Budapest Hotel.