Ep. 323: Jessica Kiang on Cannes 2025: Bi Gan’s Resurrection and Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind

In this episode of "The Last Thing I Saw," host Nicolas Rapold and Jessica Kiang discuss the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, focusing on the lack of consensus around films and the daring choices in the competition lineup. They delve into Bi Gan's "Resurrection," providing a detailed overview of its complex plot, cinematic references, and the experience of surrendering to its dreamlike logic. They also review Kelly Reichardt's "The Mastermind," praising its deconstruction of the heist genre, its 1970s detailing, and Josh O'Connor's performance. Finally, they speculate on potential Palme d'Or winners, highlighting Masha Shalinski's "Sound of Falling" and Oliver Laxe's "Serat" for their innovative approaches to cinema.

Outlines

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The Last Thing I Saw

Introduction to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and Initial Impressions

Contrarian Critic Ratings and the Anticipation for "Resurrection"

The Unique Marketing and Premise of Bi Gan's "Resurrection"

Exploring the Five Stories and Senses in "Resurrection"

Letting Go and the Pandemic's Influence on "Resurrection"

The Final Segment and Technical Achievements of "Resurrection"

Craftsmanship, Production Design, and Wax Transitions in "Resurrection"

References, Style, and the Emotional Depth of "Resurrection"

Introduction to Kelly Reichardt's "The Mastermind"

The Score, 70s Detail, and Josh O'Connor's Character in "The Mastermind"

Deconstructing the Anti-Hero and Reichardt's Focus on Ordinariness

Stylistic Drifts and the Limits of Genre in "The Mastermind"

Predictions for the Palme d'Or and the Value of Hope

Closing Remarks

Ep. 323: Jessica Kiang on Cannes 2025: Bi Gan’s Resurrection and Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind

The Last Thing I Saw

00:16Introduction to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and Initial Impressions

Introduction to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and Initial Impressions

03:04Contrarian Critic Ratings and the Anticipation for "Resurrection"

Contrarian Critic Ratings and the Anticipation for "Resurrection"

07:30The Unique Marketing and Premise of Bi Gan's "Resurrection"

The Unique Marketing and Premise of Bi Gan's "Resurrection"

11:26Exploring the Five Stories and Senses in "Resurrection"

Exploring the Five Stories and Senses in "Resurrection"

15:02Letting Go and the Pandemic's Influence on "Resurrection"

Letting Go and the Pandemic's Influence on "Resurrection"

18:55The Final Segment and Technical Achievements of "Resurrection"

The Final Segment and Technical Achievements of "Resurrection"

24:51Craftsmanship, Production Design, and Wax Transitions in "Resurrection"

Craftsmanship, Production Design, and Wax Transitions in "Resurrection"

29:29References, Style, and the Emotional Depth of "Resurrection"

References, Style, and the Emotional Depth of "Resurrection"

32:34Introduction to Kelly Reichardt's "The Mastermind"

Introduction to Kelly Reichardt's "The Mastermind"

36:03The Score, 70s Detail, and Josh O'Connor's Character in "The Mastermind"

The Score, 70s Detail, and Josh O'Connor's Character in "The Mastermind"

41:30Deconstructing the Anti-Hero and Reichardt's Focus on Ordinariness

Deconstructing the Anti-Hero and Reichardt's Focus on Ordinariness

45:20Stylistic Drifts and the Limits of Genre in "The Mastermind"

Stylistic Drifts and the Limits of Genre in "The Mastermind"

49:57Predictions for the Palme d'Or and the Value of Hope

Predictions for the Palme d'Or and the Value of Hope

54:51Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks