The story of two cops investigating a crime during the days of apartheid will close the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival. Zulu starring Forest Whitaker and Orlando Bloom will premiere on May 26.
Directed by Jerome Salle, Zulu has been described as part film noir and part social study, and depicts Whitaker and Bloom as two cops investigating a crime during the days of apartheid. The film, adapted for the screen by Julien Rappeneau, was shot entirely on location in South Africa.
Whitaker won Best Male Actor at Cannes for his role in Clint Eastwood’s Bird in 1988.
It’s been previously announced that Australian Baz Lurhmann’s dazzling retelling of The Great Gatsby, with Leo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan, will open the festivities with a star-studded red carpet sure to follow. Steven Spielberg will preside over the jury, with Palme d’Or winner Jane Campion overseeing the short-film jury.
French actress Audrey Tautou will host both the opening and closing nights as mistress of ceremonies. The full list of films in competition will be announced on April 18.