Today, the Cannes Film Festival revealed the official screening schedule, and this year finds the line-up unusually backloaded, with many of the splashy big titles unspooling in the final days of the fest. And while some may be disappointed (particularly those who weren’t planning to stay for the whole fest), it does give the smaller films a better chance to shine and get some attention. One such film that will benefit from a bit more space to spread its wings is Mexican entry “Heli.”
The film comes from Amat Escalante, a rising filmmaker who first came to Cannes with “Sangre” in 2005, which landed a slot in the Un Certain Regard section, and won the FIPRESCI Prize from the International Critics. In 2008 he returned to Un Certain Regard with “Los Bastardos,” and this year he’s in the main Competition with “Heli.”
Starring Armando Espitia, Andrea Vergara, Linda Gonzalez and Juan Eduardo Palacios, the story centers on Estela, a 12-year-old girl who falls in love with a young police cadet, with the pair planning to run away and get married. But the violence in the region is a hurdle they will have to overcome. And as you can see in this exclusive clip from the film, “Heli” promises some evocative imagery to go with its story.
“Heli” will have its first screening at Cannes on Thursday, May 16th. Watch the clip below and check out the poster for the film as well.
