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Starring Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Rosario Dawson, Mireille Enos, Kevin Durand, Alexia Fast and Bruce Greenwood, The Captive is a psychological thriller that examines how the kidnapping of a man’s young daughter destroys the relationships among those involved. As the film teases out the complex threads weaving together the victim, her family, the predators and the investigators, the mystery is revealed as to what happened to the child during the eight years she was missing. Produced by Egoyan and by Simone Urdl, Jennifer Weiss and Stephen Traynor of The Film Farm, Entertainment One will handle international sales and release in Canada.
“It is always an honour to be in Competition in Cannes. I am especially proud to be working with such an amazing team of actors, as well as my family of creative partners who helped bring the vision for The Captive to life,” said Egoyan. “What fascinates me is the study of three intimate relationships – between the parents, between the detectives, between the captor and the captive. In fact, everyone in this film is captive to some aspect of their past colliding with the present.”
“We are thrilled to be returning to Cannes for the second time with Atom Egoyan in Competition,” read a statement from The Film Farm. “It`s a privilege to be working with a filmmaker at this level, and to be celebrating such a milestone year for him.”
Egoyan is the Canadian director with the most films ever screened in Competition in Cannes and winner of the 1997 Grand Prix (The Sweet Hereafter), as well as the 1997 and 1994 International Critics Prize for FIPRESCI (The Sweet Hereafter and Exotica, respectively). He has also twice received the Ecumenical Jury Prize for The Sweet Hereafter and Adoration (2008). His films that screened in Competition at the Festival de Cannes include Adoration (2008), which was also produced by The Film Farm, Where the Truth Lies (2005), Felicia`s Journey (1999), The Sweet Hereafter (1997), and Exotica (1994).
Other Egoyan films that screen out of competition include Chacun son Cinéma (2007) and Ararat (2002). He was also a member of the Main Jury in 1996, and President of the Cinéfondation Jury in 2010. Along with his award-winning work in film, Egoyan’s prolific, edgy and multi-disciplinary career in the visual arts, theatre and music continues to evolve. He has created art installations that have been presented at the Venice Biennale and Artangel in London. His critically acclaimed production of Eh Joe by Samuel Beckett was presented in Dublin and in the London’s West End. He has staged several operas, including Wagner’s Die Walküre, Strauss’ Salome, and Mozart’s Così fan tutte for the Canadian Opera Company, as well as projects for English National Opera and The Lincoln Center in New York.
Telefilm Canada also announced two other Canadian films that will vie for the Palme d’Or, the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. David Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars and Xavier Dolan’s Mommy. This is the first time this many Canadian films that have screened in competition in the same year.
“This year’s Cannes festival is truly a monumental occasion for Canadian filmmakers,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. “This is the strongest presence we’ve ever had, and a true testament to the exceptional vision and tremendous artistry of our country’s filmmakers. Canadians should feel very proud.”
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