Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s latest film, ‘All Of A Sudden’, has captivated audiences at the Cannes Film Festival, drawing the longest standing ovation of the event thus far. The film, a three-hour-and-16-minute French-language drama, premiered on Friday and was met with an extended period of applause, with reports varying between seven and eleven minutes.
The film’s considerable runtime and emotional depth appear to have struck a chord, with attendees reportedly moved to tears during its screening.
The prolonged reception signals a significant moment for the Japanese director, whose previous work, ‘Drive My Car’, garnered substantial international acclaim, including four Academy Award nominations and a Best International Feature Oscar. This reception at Cannes positions ‘All Of A Sudden’ as a strong contender for the prestigious Palme d’Or.
A NEW TERRITORY FOR HAMAGUCHI
This marks Hamaguchi’s third appearance at Cannes, following ‘Asako I & II’ in 2018 and the Palme d’Or-nominated ‘Drive My Car’ in 2021. However, ‘All Of A Sudden’ represents a departure, being his first French-language feature and primarily set outside of Japan. The film is a German-Belgian-French co-production, partly filmed in France, starring Belgian actress Virginie Efira alongside Japanese actress Tao Okamoto.
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The narrative is adapted from the correspondence between philosopher Maoko Miyano, who suffered from terminal breast cancer, and anthropologist Maho Isono. In the film, Okamoto portrays a terminally ill Japanese theater director whose presence at a care facility in the Paris suburbs draws her into a profound bond with another woman, played by Efira. This connection, unfolding over an extended, deliberate pace, reportedly transforms the latter's understanding of human care.
THE CRAFT OF ‘ALL OF A SUDDEN’
Filmed partly within a retirement care facility in the Paris suburbs, the production integrated itself with residents and staff. Director of photography Alan Guichaoua, known for his naturalistic style collaborating with filmmaker Guillaume Brac, has been credited for contributing to the film's intimate storytelling. The screenplay, co-written by Hamaguchi and Léa Le Dimna, is noted for its humanist examination of relationships within the care setting, eschewing bureaucratic narratives for extended conversations and patient observation.
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Distributor Neon, which handled ‘Drive My Car’ in North America, has secured U.S. distribution rights for ‘All Of A Sudden’. While the film's length and subject matter may present distribution challenges, its critical reception thus far suggests a powerful impact.
