The modern-day retelling of one of Shakespeare's darkest plays will finally screen at Cannes Film Festival after years of delays in production.
The original play was set in 11th century Scotland about the dark side that hunger for ambition can bring upon a great leader. But in this new Macbeth, Michael Fassbender as the ill-fated protagonist is a soldier suffering from scars, both physical and mental, due to post-traumatic stress disorder. And Lady Macbeth is Marion Cotillard is his wife coping with the loss of her child.
This is not your typical Shakespearean play adapted for the screen. While many other silver screen adaptations of the Bard's work have simply relocated his dialogue into modern times, director Justin Kurzel said he chose to approach the material more like a psychological drama. He even warns theatre-goers that this Macbeth is only "based on the play by William Shakespeare."
It is the relationship between Macbeth and his wife that drive the story in this piece. The tension between the couple as they are torn apart by the mental and emotional anguish they must endure.
The actors who starred in Macbeth, along with their Australian director, attended the world premiere of the film at Cannes where it screened for the very first time.
According to Ace Showbiz, blue-eyed Fassbender came to the screening wearing a "suit with a bowtie" while leading lady, Cotillard wore a sparkling mini dress which showed off her long legs.
The film is one of the entries being eyed for the coveted Palme d'Or prize on Sunday evening. But it will have to beat out other top contenders for the 68th edition of the Cannes Film Festival such as Nie Yinniang (The Assassin) from Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-Hsien; or Saul Fia (Son of Saul) from Hungarian director Laszlo Nemes.
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