‘A Certain Look’
Un Certain Regard, which translates to ‘a certain look’ or ‘from another point of view,’ is the main competitive sidebar section of the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival. Established in 1978 by Gilles Jacob, it runs parallel to the main Compétition for the Palme d’Or. Its purpose is to recognize and celebrate emerging talent and to highlight films that present a unique, innovative, or unconventional approach to storytelling. While the main competition often features works by established cinematic masters, Un Certain Regard is a space for discovery, championing original voices and daring artistic visions from around the world.
Curation and Identity
Each year, a slate of approximately 20 films is selected for the Un Certain Regard section. The curation focuses on works that might be considered less traditional or more niche than the high-profile epics and dramas vying for the Palme d’Or. It is a haven for international arthouse cinema, often featuring films that push the boundaries of narrative form, visual style, and thematic content. Getting a film selected for Un Certain Regard is a tremendous honor and can serve as a major launching pad for a director’s international career, placing them firmly on the global cinematic map.
The Prize and Notable Alumni
The Un Certain Regard section has its own jury, composed of respected international filmmakers, critics, and artists. This jury awards several prizes, the most prestigious of which is the Prix Un Certain Regard for the best film in the section. Other awards often include prizes for Best Director, Jury Prize, and Best Performance.
Many celebrated contemporary filmmakers received a major career boost from their selection in this section. Notable films and directors that have premiered or won awards in Un Certain Regard include:
- Dogtooth (2009) by Yorgos Lanthimos (Winner, Prix Un Certain Regard)
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) by Yorgos Lanthimos
- Border (2018) by Ali Abbasi (Winner, Prix Un Certain Regard)
- Aftersun (2022) by Charlotte Wells (Jury Prize)
These examples highlight the section’s role as a critical tastemaker, often identifying the future masters of world cinema before they become household names.