On May 20, the Deadline website reported that four years after winning the Golden Palm at Cannes for the film Titanium, female director Julia Ducournau brought her latest work Alpha to the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 12-minute standing ovation.
Alpha tells the story of a 13-year-old girl (played by Mélissa Boros) who struggles to survive with her mother in a deteriorating world. The film’s setting takes place on the day Alpha returns to school with tattoos on her arms. The film draws inspiration from the 1980s and 1990s.
The director builds the film around the themes of a dystopian environment that makes humanity suffer. The intimate scenes are continuously interrupted by shocking events, keeping viewers on edge. The bleak atmosphere creates a profound emotional impact, leaving a strong impression on the audience.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Alpha is a gripping horror film set during the AIDS crisis that is remarkably distinctive and provocative. It contains many graphic scenes, intense sound design, and the emotional performances of the cast are elevated to high levels. The film leaves a lasting impression with its unique characteristics and cinematic techniques. However, the abundance of emotions and content unfolds over a lengthy runtime, leaving viewers exhausted and overwhelmed.”
Variety praised Julia Ducournau’s creativity for daring to take a unique path after winning the Palme d’Or in 2021, stating, “She doesn’t want to harm anyone but always places her own vulnerability at the forefront.”
On the other hand, experts believe that Alpha also tries to pack too many themes into its narrative, making some of the content challenging for audiences to fully grasp and appreciate. Consequently, responses to the film have been sharply divided. Many viewers may struggle with feelings of despair and emotional trauma based on the vivid imagery presented in the film.
The film features a cast including Golshifteh Farahani, Tahar Rahim, Emma Mackey, Finnegan Oldfield, and Louai El Amrousy, who were present at the Cannes Film Festival for the film’s premiere.
