Denis Masseglia, Laura Flessel, Tony Estanguet, Anne Hidalgo, Bernard Lapasset, Valerie Pecresse and Emmanuelle Assman - Paris 2024 © Antonin Thuillier / AFP
When sport outstrips film at the Festival de Cannes
Paris is competing to host the Olympic Games in 2024. The bid team, including, among others, canoeing champion Tony Estanguet (co-chair) and newly appointed sports minister and fencing champion Laura Flessel, made the most of the exceptional showcase provided by Cannes to promote their plans. Sport and film are two of the world’s most popular entertainments, and the Festival de Cannes has always thrived on their on-screen partnerships. Quick overview of some of the most memorable sports-related films.
Chariots of Fire
The true story of runners Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams at the 1924 Olympic Games was immortalised in film by Hugh Hudson. Composed by Vangelis, the score to Chariots of Fire received an Oscar in 1982. This year, the cult film was screened on the Cinéma de la plage, following a presentation by the team behind the Paris 2024 Olympic Games bid.
Hands of Stone
A highlight of the 2016 Festival de Cannes. The biopic of the Panamanian boxer Roberto Duràn (Edgar Ramírez) by Jonathan Jakubowicz electrified the Grand Théâtre Lumière during an evening that included a tribute to Robert de Niro, who played Roberto Duràn’s coach in Hands of Stone.
This tribute to surf culture by Bruce Brown was a tale of perseverance in search of the perfect wave. Released in 1966, it was screened with a sea view at the Cinéma de la plage in 2016.
A cynical look at the behind-the-scenes world of football, also screened at the Cinéma de la plage in 2016. The brilliant Patrick Dewaere delivered the cult lines from this bitter-sweet comedy by Jean-Jacques Annaud (1979).
Prize for Best Director, 2015. The world of Graeco-Roman wrestling serves as a backdrop for this stunning film by Bennett Miller featuring Channing Tatum: an exploration of power and brotherhood.
This film by Ken Loach (In Competition 2009) marked a turning point for the career of Éric Cantona, who delivers an outstanding performance in this made-to-measure role. A delightful moment in cinema from this philosopher footballer, and one that won critical acclaim.
Skateboarding takes centre stage in this disturbing thriller by Gus Van Sant. The setting? A notorious skatepark in Portland. Presented In Competition, the film was awarded a 60th Anniversary Prize in 2007.
Le Grand Bleu (The Big Blue)
A film that needs no introduction, Le Grand Bleu (The Big Blue) by Luc Besson was released in 1988. Presented Out of Competition at the Festival de Cannes, it inspired many to take up diving. An entire generation grew up listening to the CD of its soundtrack, and fell for the eyes of Jean-Marc Barr…
