#CANNES22: “FINAL CUT” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Final Cut is a Zombie Horror-Comedy and a love letter to the challenges of Filmmaking.

It follows Remi (Romain Duris) a struggling Director who has only scratched the surface of Filmmaking. When he’s approached to make a French remake of a beloved classic Japanese Zombie flick, he takes the opportunity. Unbeknownst to Remi, he’s just accepted this most stressful directing gig. Not only does he need to shoot it in one take, as it will be viewed live on a new streaming platform, but he’s also dealing with jaded technicians and uninvolved actors. However, things get complicated when filming is disrupted by the real living dead. In front of the camera, everything looks relatively normal. But behind it, the crew is in chaos attempting to save the Film.

Writer-Director Michel Hazanavicius (Academy Award-winning The Artist) on one level brings us a new Zombie Horror-Comedy, yet transcends the limited audience of that genre by broadening it’s scope to explore the love and struggle of Filmmaking. It is apparent right away that Remi has a real passion for Filmmaking right at the start. This is a do-or-die situation for him and for anyone is all-in about their career, it’s easy to sympathize and relate. Duris is outstanding. His energy is unparalleled and he excels in this comedic performance. His natural charisma makes the audience cheer for him even if he’s ultimately making one of the worst Zombie films ever.

The Supporting Cast give hilarious performances. Bérénice Bejo plays Nadia, an Actress who takes her roles too seriously. She delivers some of the most outrageous one-liners with unwavering conviction, making for scene-stealing moments. Finnegan Oldfield plays Raphaël, an Actor who believes he’s better than he actually is. And rounding-out the Principal Cast is the brilliant Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz. She might have the most challenging role as her character is a bad Actress. Her strong comedic timing makes her achieve this and her performance is a testament to how very talented she is.

Final Cut has an impactful opening and first act that leaves ample mystery. We are left wondering what is going on. Hazanavicius uses this as a device to grab a hold of us. In the middle, we are given some answers. Even though it’s in this section that the Film lags, Hazanavicius’ Script gives film references that true Cinephiles will get. In the final 30 minutes, we are given all the answers to our questions. The situations we watch this Cast and Crew get into are hysterical.

Fans of the original Japanese Cult Classic One Cut of the Dead, will get a reference that is highlighted at the midway mark. In this scene, Remi sits studying the original Japanese Film he is supposed to remake. Hazanavicius uses the original One Cut of The Dead that Final Cut is based on, making for a fun, meta homage to the cult classic.

Final Cut screens at Cannes ’22:

Tue, May 17 at 7PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Tue, May 17 at 11:30PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Wed, May 18 at 11AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Wed, May 18 at 2PM at SALLE AGNÈS VARDA

Thu, May 19 at 11:30AM at LICORNE

Thu, May 19 at 4PM at CINEUM IMAX

Fri, May 27 at 9:40PM at ARCADES 1

#TIFF14: DAY 9 RECAP – JOHN TRAVOLTA, JENNIFER CONNELLY, CHRIS EVANS, MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS + BÉRÉNICE BEJO

We’re in the Home Stretch at last!  TIFF ’14 has been a bit of an endurance test to say the least. Normally at this time of year, we’re relaxing and simply enjoying Films but what makes this Festival a bit different is that some of the bigger Titles were saved a bit later in the game.  Not that you have to push us to keep-up. We’re more than willing, trust me.

The names on Day 9 of TIFF ’14 were on-par with some of the Megastars we saw earlier. Believe me, you will be impressed.

JOHN TRAVOLTA
We all grew-up with GREASE (’90s) and HAIRSPRAY (’00s), so you can understand the sheer delight of seeing let alone meeting John Travolta in-person.  He is everything I hoped he would be and more.  The hair (!!!), the persona and the Fan-friendliness.  Despite arriving late to his Press Junket for The Forger, he took the time after to meet and greet every single Fan in waiting and believe me, there were hundreds.  I cannot believe this happened.  Nicest Star of the Festival.

CHRIS EVANS
He may be the Captain of America, but he certainly was in it to win it at the Festival and win he did. Making his directorial debut at TIFF ’14 with BEFORE WE GO, Chris Evans was pleased to announce that his Film picked-up distribution via RADiUS, a Boutique Label from The Weinstein Company. Yes, it must be THAT good.  Remember to check our Reviews Section as Contributor David Baldwin saw it! By absolute chance, we crossed paths with the handsome Star who was adamant this Festival about Selfies only and no Autographs with Fans.  Co-Star Alice Eve was far less giving, disappointing several Photo Seekers.

JENNIFER CONNELLY + PAUL BETTANY
Although we spotted Paul Bettany earlier last week, it was the stunning and brilliant Jennifer Connelly that we were looking for still and we got our wish seeing the Couple arrive at the Junket for his directorial debut, SHELTER. They were amazing about it all and Bettany particularly gratuitous, went around the bend signing Autographs and taking Selfies. He even greeted a Baby!

 

MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS + BÉRÉNICE BEJO
I loved THE ARTIST. I saw it like six times at the theatre. So you can understand me excitement for not only Jean Dujardin (whom we spotted on TIFF ’14 DAY 8) but also Co-Star Bérénice Bejo and Husband-Director Michel Hazanavicius being in-town at the same time. A reliable source tells me that they all crossed paths yesterday at a Hotel but realized they couldn’t make each other’s Premieres.

The French Power Couple are at the Festival with Chechen Civil War Drama THE SEARCH, which I not only was lucky enough to see (and cry to… multiple times, actually), but also attend the Thompson Hotel Cocktail Party for, organized by none other than our own Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott. The Brothers were busy this TIFF with their heavily-attended The Producers Ball. The untrained Child Star in the Film, Abdul Khalim Mamutsiev, is absolutely phenomental in this Film and there already is Best Foreign Picture buzz for this.

Bejo was absolutely stunning, pairing a chic leather jacket with a gorgeous sequined black number, perfect for a Premiere and Academy Award-winning Hazanavicius looked incredibly smart. I love this Couple and am honoured to have partied with them both.

Just one more day to go till TIFF ’14 soon becomes a memory. One, we’re loving that we actually are getting some sleep. Two, we are a bit sad. We are hoping to see Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman on Day 10!

All Photos taken on the NIKON D3300 and communicated via the Samsung Galaxy Tab S.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)