‘Fast and furious’
Racing energy, fierce stunts, and dazzling special effects drive one of the era’s blockbuster sagas. Across iconic landscapes in England, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, and even Antarctica, the formula for this installment blends adrenaline with spectacle to deliver a high-octane cinematic experience. The ensemble cast features Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Charlize Theron, Rita Moreno, Helen Mirren, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jason Statham, and Jason Momoa, underscoring its status as a tentpole entry in a long-running franchise. This chapter marks the near-final arc of the Toretto family’s high-speed journey. Source: franchise history and contemporary press
“Alice honey”
Anna Kendrick, renowned for performances across drama and comedy, returns to portray a woman entangled in a toxic relationship. The film traces the unraveling of trust during a vacation with close friends, exploring resilience and self-discovery under pressure. Directed by Mary Nighy, daughter of Bill Nighy, it situates a candid portrait of psychological abuse within a gripping emotional arc. The central character faces a difficult choice as private pain collides with the need to reclaim independence. Source: contemporary drama announcements
“Eight Mountains”
Critically lauded at major festivals, this adaptation of Paolo Cognetti’s novel follows a thirty-year bond between two friends, Paolo and Bruno, that begins in a small Alpine village during the 1980s. The film traces shared childhoods, the pull of the mountains, and the evolving nature of friendship through decades. Starring Luca Marinelli and Alessandro Borghi, with direction by Félix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch, it marks a noteworthy directorial debut in a project rooted in memory and landscape. Source: Cannes and author interviews
‘A good person’
Florence Pugh leads a drama about healing after a profound loss, with Zach Braff guiding the project as writer and director. The narrative unfolds around Allison and the family she navigates, examining guilt, forgiveness, and the solace of human connection. The cast includes Morgan Freeman in a pivotal role that anchors the emotional resonance of the story. This film delivers a tender, character-driven exploration of resilience in the face of trauma. Source: film festival coverage
‘sika’
Carla Subira marks her feature debut with a fairy-tale influenced tale set along the Costa da Morte in Galicia. The story centers on a longing to recover a lost life and follows Sica, a father of the sea, as events after a shipwreck set a journey of self-discovery in motion. Storms and sea lore weave through the narrative as the characters confront mystery, fate, and the weight of memory. Source: festival press
‘Shark in sight’
Inspired by sea legends and myth, this French thriller blends horror and comedy under the direction of the Boukherma brothers. A surfer’s disappearance triggers a coast-wide alert as a predator lurks offshore. Maja, a veteran coast guard contemplating retirement, takes on one last assignment that tests her instincts and courage. The ensemble cast brings a sunny yet suspenseful mood to an ocean-side mystery. Source: genre reports
‘Great youth’
Valeria Bruni Tedeschi revisits youth through the lens of Patrice Chéreau’s Théâtre des Amandiers. The autobiographical project, competing at Cannes, captures the feverish energy of aspiring actors in 1980s France amid a backdrop of social upheaval and cultural ambition. The film intertwines creative pursuit with the era’s broader challenges, offering a vibrant snapshot of a generation learning their craft. Source: Cannes coverage
‘I love life’
Adapted from a beloved song by Akiko Yano, Koji Fukada presents a story about a couple grappling with loss. The film follows a family unit after a tragedy, with evolving relationships that reflect a search for meaning and healing. As the narrative unfolds, celebrations and deflections of grief converge into a contemplative portrait of what remains after a life-altering event. Source: festival entries
‘Unbelievable but true’
Quentin Dupieux returns with his signature absurd humor. This comedy about aging fear follows a couple who relocates to the suburbs in pursuit of a dream home, only to uncover a strange mystery in the basement. A playful debate about sharing secrets with neighbors evolves into a compulsive, unconventional exploration of curiosity and consequence. Source: comedic cinema notes
“I’m looking for the lost map”
Benjamin, a tech-obsessed character, inherits a chest of antiques from a missing father and stumbles upon a map tied to the cartographer Mercator. The discovery draws dangerous attention, pitching a Belgian adventure film toward a family-friendly quest full of danger, intrigue, and discovery. Source: European cinema listings
“Excavation”
Hafreiat, winner of a best documentary prize at a recent festival, follows Abu Dya, a trader whose work at an archaeological dig in Jordan intersects with themes of prison life and reintegration. The documentary invites viewers to consider how past and present shape choices in the margins of society. Source: festival awards
‘Alone’
A self-funded project explores mental health, depression, and the shadows of suicide. The film follows Marta as she retreats into confinement after receiving devastating news, revealing how isolation can become a catalyst for uneasy revelations and inner conflict. The intimate portrayal invites empathy for someone navigating a fragile mind. Source: independent cinema briefs