This new, atypical film from Andrew Muscato is a timeless mixture of literature and music. New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization, was selected for a 2021 Special Screening. In the documentary, which is in the form of a recording of a performance, the film legend Bill Murray and the world-renowned cellist Jan Vogler make the Acropolis in Athens resonate throughout a memorable evening. They are joined by the dazzling Mira Wang on the violin and the dynamic Vanessa Perez at the piano. From the 2,000-year-old stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Bill Murray and the international trio delight the audience with musical reflections on hope, loss and love. 

A tribute to the actor Bill Murray, irresistible in his poetic charm and humour, this highly entertaining and profoundly touching film holds numerous surprises on screen, which will continue on the stage of the Debussy Theatre, with a concert given by the stars of the film. But as Bill Murray reminds us in New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization, “some divine things are well hidden and so beautiful that no words can describe them”. So, the Festival de Cannes invites you to make a date to catch a glimpse of them tomorrow, Friday, 16th July at 8.45pm in the Debussy Theatre!

One of the greatest American actors and a long-time friend of the Festival, Bill Murray has climbed the Red Steps many times: in 1993 he presented a Special Screening of Mad Dog and Glory (John McNaughton) before being in Competition with Ed Wood (Tim Burton, 1995), Cradle Will Rock (Tim Robbins, 1999), Broken Flowers (Jim Jarmusch, 2005), Moonrise Kingdom (Wes Anderson, 2012) and The Dead Don't Die (Jim Jarmusch, 2019).