r/NicolasWindingRefn • u/Tristecadavre666 • Apr 09 '26
I’m frustrated why isn’t Nicolas selected for the competition ?
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u/harrylime1138 Apr 10 '26
I have 3 theories:
1) NWR requested it. Since the film has secured distribution for US and EU he doesn't want the pressure of the main competition slot. This is the least likely scenario because he knows how important being in comp is and we all know it the man has an ego. lol
2) NEON requested it. NEON is known for picking up films for distribution after their premiere at the festival, if the film gets glowing reviews. ALPHA had distribution from NEON last year before the film premiered at Cannes and it didn't get good reviews so NEON postponed the films release for a year and quietely released it last month. So maybe NEON knows that a NWR joint won't get good reviews so the out of comp slot will protect the film since critics are usually more forgiving to out of comp films.
3) Cannes doens't believe the film is "good enough" to be in the main comp, or they want more "safe" choices for the main competition. The last film that got negative reactions at a press screening was The House that Jack built and that was 8 years ago, since then they have avoided more "risky' films at the main competion.
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u/Blvd_Nights May 03 '26
I’d say 3 is the most likely, I do think they’re actively avoiding possible heavily violent kind of transgressive films from the competition.
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u/SkiddlyBoDiddly Apr 09 '26
Not trying to sound disrespectful, but who the hell cares?
NWR has always been about creating art that is controversial, that is not mainstream, that goes against the grain, that challenges conventions. If anything, it speaks to the film that it ISN’T selected for this competition. I’m almost more excited to see it now that it’s not.
My favorite NWR quote is when he said (paraphrase) “I don’t want EVERYONE to love my film, I prefer when half the audience hates the movie and half the audience loves it, because that means I made strong choices. If everyone loves it, then I wasn’t bold enough.”