An average of three positive COVID tests a day have occurred at The Cannes Film Festival, but at the star-studded event, there are only raves and more standing ovations.
Paul Verhoeven’s drama, Benedetta, a film about lesbian nuns made waves and received positive reviews. La Fracture, directed by Catherine Corsini, about a couple in a hospital also received a standing ovation lasting longer than five minutes.
Benedetta is an erotic drama directed by Verhoeven about a young nun in 17th century Italy who carries on an affair with another nun, and it’s inspired by a nonfiction book by historian Judith C. Brown.
Benedetta was controversial, which is the norm for Cannes. Some called the 82-year-old director’s film “phenomenal,” while others said it was “erotic” and “violent.” World of Reel’s Jordan Ruimy wrote, “You have never seen a movie quite like this one. It’s a feminist take on Christ. If Virginie Efira doesn’t win Best Actress then there is no God.”
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Back to the COVID testing required to enter the festival, French actress Lea Seydoux might have to cancel her trip to the LA Croisette altogether as she tested positive and is currently self-isolating in her Paris home.
According to multiple media reports, the French actress tested positive for COVID and may have to cancel her trip to Cannes despite having four films, three of which are in competition, at the festival. It’s believed that she is asymptomatic, fully vaccinated, and has been self-isolating for over a week at her Paris home.
Seydoux is currently in production on a film, during which she contracted COVID. She is waiting for two negative test results before heading to the premiere of Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch on Monday. Her other films at Cannes are Ildiko Enyedi’s The Story of My Wife and Bruno Dumont’s “France.” She also stars in Arnaud Desplechin’s film Deception.
Hopefully, the actress will receive a negative test, and walk the red carpet.
