The Somewhere Films of Cannes: A Rebuttal to Trump's Hollywood Agenda

The 2023 Cannes Film Festival, which wrapped up on Saturday, served as a microcosm of the "culture war" driven by US President Donald Trump's populist agenda. In contrast to Trump's calls for tariffs on foreign films produced in "foreign lands," the festival's lineup showcased a diverse array of "somewhere films" that proudly rooted themselves in specific locations. These films often traded glamourous cosmopolitan settings for more authentic, locally grounded storytelling.

Key Takeaways:

• The Cannes film festival's 2023 lineup featured a distinct shift towards "somewhere films," which prioritized local settings and authentic storytelling over cosmopolitan glamour.
• Films like Partir un Jour, The Sound of Falling, and Amrum explored themes of place and identity, often focusing on characters who are stuck in remote locations or return to their roots.
• The trend towards "somewhere films" was evident in the festival's wider programming, with many films and panels celebrating the importance of local storytelling and authenticity.
• Some European countries, such as Hungary, have begun to capitalize on the trend by offering competitive tax incentives and access to experienced local crews.
• The notion of "movies made in foreign lands" – a key plank of Trump's film tariffs proposal – was widely regarded as unworkable by industry professionals, with many predicting that the UK's successful tax relief model would be adopted instead.

Statistics:

• The UK paid out £553m in tax relief to film companies in 2022-23, making it the most successful European country at attracting American films.
• Hungary offers 30% in rebates to foreign producers making films in the country, and also provides experienced and cheaper crews due to weaker union influence.
• American productions being filmed outside Budapest this year include Ponies, featuring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, and alien invasion comedy Alpha Gang, starring Cate Blanchett and Channing Tatum.

Sources:

• Philip Oltermann, European culture editor for The Guardian
• Fatih Akin's Amrum
• Jennifer Lawrence-starring Die, My Love
• Kristen Stewart's directorial debut The Chronology of Water