Thomas Vinterberg Makes Cannes Official Selection

Although the 73rd Cannes Film Festival has been cancelled amid global health concerns regarding Coronavirus, the festival committee has revealed the 56 films that comprise its Official Selection for this year. The Nordic region is represented by: Another Round (Druk) by Thomas Vinterberg, Pleasure by Ninja Thyberg and Sweat by Magnus Von Horn.

The festival organisers note that “this selection was built with the prospect of seeing the Cannes Film Festival assume more than ever its primary mission: to promote films, artists and professionals by showing their work, to be the bridge between the screen and the public.”

However, since there won’t be any screenings on the Croisette this year, the Official Selection has been grouped together into a single list rather than dividing it into the usual categories: Competition, Un Certain Regard, Out Of Competition, Midnight Screenings, and Special Screenings.

Another Round by Thomas Vinterberg
The film follows four friends, all high school teachers, who test a theory that they will work and live better by maintaining a constant level of alcohol in their blood. Their initial results are positive with classes and results improving; however, as they continue the experiment the results become more extreme.

Pleasure by Ninja Thyberg
Ninja Thyberg, who won the 2013 Cannes Semaine de la Critique with a short film also entitled Pleasure, presents her debut feature set in the American porn industry. Bella, a young and ambitious 20-year-old, travels from Sweden to Los Angeles to become the next big porn star and her journey is a story of ambition, sacrifice and feminism, set in one of the world’s most patriarchal structures.

Sweat by Magnus Von Horn
Magnus Von Horn’s second film after 2015 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight selection The Here After, Sweat recounts three days in the life of fitness motivator Sylwia Zając, whose presence on social media has made her a celebrity. Although she has hundreds of thousands of followers, is surrounded by loyal employees and admired by acquaintances, her life lacks true intimacy.