The world’s most important film festival in Cannes is back to pop music. At least since the Queen saga “Bohemian Rhapsody” or “Rocket Man” about Elton John, music biopics have established themselves as veritable blockbusters. Elaborate documentaries are fixed points at Netflix and Co. In addition to the Bowie documentary “Moonage Daydream” by Kurt Cobain biographer Brett Morgan, two other prominent projects can be seen in different sections. Cannes ’22 opens on May 17th.
Publishing a film documentary about rock’n’roll berserker Jerry Lee Lewis is certainly not an easy task in times of #metoo. After all, the wild Southern pianist (“Whole Lotta Skakin’ Goin’ On”) had a relationship with his second-degree niece, whom he later married at the age of 22. Myra Gale Brown was only 13 at the time of their marriage in 1957. A look also at the dark era in the US southern states; Lewis married for the first time when he was 16.
light and shadow sides
A case for the Coen brothers, actually Ethan Coen, who is represented on the Croisette with the solo project “Jerry Lee Lewis – Trouble in Mind”. Far more than the 1989 feature film “Great Ball of Fire” starring Dennis Quaid and Winona Ryder, the Coen documentary will deal with the shallows in the life of the “killer” (as he is nicknamed). After all, the pianist’s shows, ranked among the most influential of the last century, were full-body explosions. A key punk who also played the full range of alcohol and drugs A tweet from the program team confirmed the film in the “special screenings” section.
Baz Luhrman and Elvis
Another caliber is the Australian Baz Luhrmann, who in films like “Moulin Rouge” and above all in the new edition of “The Great Gatsby” with Leonardo DICaprio has the big production in mind. The biopic “Elvis” takes on the early days and the rise to superstardom in the southern states.
31-year-old series star Austin Robert Butler (“Zoey 101”) plays the King, Oscar winner Tom Hanks takes on the role of Mephisto-esque manager Colonel Parker, and Australian Olivia DeJonge plays Priscilla Presley. Fun fact on the side: Pop darling Harry Styles also auditioned for the role of Elvis, but was turned down by the Luhrmann team. A theatrical release is planned for early June.