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The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is underway. The 78th edition of this prestigious international film festival, where filmmakers go to showcase their artistic film work, is currently taking place from May 13 to May 24, 2025.
There have been several films in the last few days, all with touching stories that captivated audiences and other filmmakers alike. Here are 5 films from the festival that some viewers might find interesting.
Directed by Palestinian twin brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser, Once Upon a Time in Gaza is a satirical crime thriller set against the backdrop of 2007 Gaza.
The story follows Osama, a falafel shop owner, and Yahya, a young man who dreams of a better life outside Gaza. Their lives are caught between Hamas trying to enforce control on the streets of Gaza and the Israeli Defense Forces surveilling from above.
The film, directed by Morad Mostafa, is about a 26-year-old Sudanese caregiver, Aisha, living in Ain Shams, a nieghbourhood in Cario known for its large African migrant community.
The film explores the underworld of African migrant society in Cairo and the tensions between different groups and local gangs, highlighting the harsh realities faced by migrants in this environment. Aisha finds herself caught in a dangerous situation when a local gang offers her protection in exchange for a favor, which leads to escalating conflicts and ethical dilemmas.
A drama film co-written and directed by Oliver Laxe. The story follows Luis, a father who travels to southern Morocco with his son to search for his missing daughter, Marina, who disappeared at a rave party.
The film unfolds as a spiritual and physical journey through the desert, blending themes of introspection, family bonds, and a rite of passage amid a backdrop of electronic music and desert landscapes.
The title "Sirat" refers to the Sirat Bridge in Islamic tradition, symbolizing the path between hell and paradise where the soul confronts its true nature. This metaphor frames the film’s narrative as a mystical odyssey exploring the limits of human endurance and the quest for meaning.
"It Was Just an Accident" is a 2025 thriller film written and directed by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. The plot centers on a man named Eghbal who, while driving at night with his pregnant wife, accidentally hits and kills a dog. Their car breaks down, leading them to a nearby garage owned by Vahid.
Vahid suspects Eghbal resembles the prison officer who tortured him and ruined his life. Vahid kidnaps Eghbal and prepares to bury him alive, but becomes uncertain about his identity. Along the way, Vahid is joined by other victims of the officer, who debate the morality of their planned revenge.
This drama film is directed by Erige Sehiri, a French-Tunisian filmmaker known for blending documentary realism with narrative cinema.
The film follows the intertwined lives of three Ivorian women living in Tunis: Marie, an Ivorian pastor and former journalist who has lived in Tunisia for ten years; Naney, a young mother seeking a better future; and Jolie, a strong-willed student carrying her family’s hopes.
Their home becomes a refuge for Kenza, a little orphan girl and shipwreck survivor, whose arrival challenges their fragile solidarity amid a tense social climate marked by hostility toward sub-Saharan migrants.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival was marked by a diverse and high-profile selection of films, significant tributes, and a strong stance on global issues, alongside the celebration of cinema history and contemporary artistry.
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