There are some 4,000 films being sold at this year’s Cannes Marché du Film, the world’s leading film bazaar held in the depths of the Palais des Festivals where sellers from 140 countries are hawking their goods with colorful, often outrageous fliers and posters adorning the market’s roughly 300 stands.
A stroll through its halls provides a panoply of snapshots of the current state of the global film industry which, while it may be struggling as it contends with the onslaught of streamers and TikTok, is still finding a way to produce outlandish movies — from the big-budget to the no-budget, the high-concept to the batshit crazy.
Below are five, randomly selected, projects in various stages, and their posters and loglines that have to be seen to be believed.
“Paint You on My Bed Sheet” – Described as a horror, boy-love, drama, romance, being sold by Bangkok’s Bibbidii Entertainment. No Director attached as yet. Logline: A story of desire, obsession, and the fragile line between love and destruction — where every emotion leaves a stain impossible to erase. It also sounds like it encompasses basically every genre out there.
“NOFX: 40 Years of Fuckin’ Up,” Directed by James Buddy Day, sold by VMI Worldwide – A biopic of veteran L.A. punk-rock band NOFX that chronicles their “four-decade journey from drug-addled teenage punks to the world’s most successful independent band,” says the synopsis. The film “follows their 2024 final tour, exploring chaotic, often self-destructive histories alongside heartfelt reflections, backstage drama, and the band’s impending, bitter-sweet end.” Its poster seems to capture the group’s anarchic spirit, proving that age hasn’t dulled their rebel yell.
“Blood Wine” – directed by Eric Ivey, Jared N. Wright, sold by The Coven AS Sales. Logline: Three thirty-something couples on a remote wine country getaway accidentally awaken an evil that has been asleep for decades. The poster art comes up with a grisly new application for a corkscrew.
Gun Fish – directed by Wataru Uno. Sold by ColorBird. Synopsis: “The highly toxic pufferfish, fugu, is often dismissed as bizarre or dangerous in other parts of the world. In fact, its import is banned in the EU. Yet, the Japanese have been consuming fugu for centuries, making it one of the rarest culinary traditions globally. Known as ‘the king of winter delicacies,’ fugu stands as a proud symbol of Japanese food culture. At the same time, its poison has claimed countless lives throughout history. Even today, dozens of poisoning incidents are reported every year. This danger has led to the creation of various regulations and laws. Within these strict frameworks, people have pursued the ultimate fugu dishes with passion and persistence, creating many compelling stories along the way.” Basically, it’s a meal to remember, unless it’s your last one.
Nick Vivarelli
Deathgasm II Goremageddon – directed by Jason Howden, sold by Raven Banner Entertainment.
In this sequel to 2015 cult New Zealand horror-comedy hit “Deathgasm,” metal enthusiast Brodie resurrects his bandmates in order to win a battle-of-the-bands. But things don’t go according to plan and “Brodie must stop the zombie horde before it ruins his musical dreams and love life,” says the logline. The tagline is: “Evil cums again”
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