Still: Reedland - Sven Bresser

Reedland is the first length-feature film by a Dutch director to premiere at the Critics Week since The Polish Bride by Karim Traïdia in 1998 and the first Dutch-language feature by a Dutch director to premiere on the Croisette since Alex Van Warmerdan’s Borgman in 2013.

Reedland tells the story of reed cutter Johan who, when he discovers the lifeless body of a girl on his land, is overcome by an ambiguous sense of guilt. While he takes care of his granddaughter, he sets out on a quest to track down evil. But darkness can thrive in unexpected places.

The film stars Gerrit Knobbe in the lead role, a non-professional actor appearing for the first time on screen, alongside the very young newcomer Loïs Reinders.

The Critics Weeks selection marks a significant milestone for Sven Bresser, whose short film L’été et tout le reste premiered at Venice in Orizzonti competition and TIFF, and went on to receive multiple national and international awards. Sven’s feature debut Reedland is set in the same rural landscape he grew up in himself. 

Reedland is produced by Marleen Slot for Viking Film (NL) and co-produced by Dries Phlypo for A Private View (BE) and broadcaster VPRO (NL). Paris-based The Party Film Sales has acquired Reedland ahead of its premiere in Cannes and is handling international rights. The film will be released in France by The Jokers.

Reedland is produced with the support of the Netherlands Film Fund and Netherlands Production Incentive, Eurimages, VAF, Belgian Taxshelter, BNP Paribas Fortis Film Finance, VPRO and CoBO.

Two Dutch minority co-productions will compete for the Palm d’Or in Cannes Official Selection: Two Prosecutors* and The Secret Agent**.

Two Prosecutors is the fifth feature film by screenwriter and director Sergei Loznitsa and is co-produced by the Netherlands-based Atoms & Void. Since Loznitsa’s debut feature My Joy had its world premiere at Cannes in 2010, he has returned to the festival on the Côte d’Azur regularly among others with documentaries The Invasion and The Natural History of Destruction.

The Secret Agent is written and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and is a co-production of Lemming Film. MK2 are handling international sales. The Brazilian director of Bacurau and Aquarius returns to Cannes this time with a political thriller set in Brazil in the 1970s.

The 78th edition of Cannes will take place from 13 to 24 May 2025.

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*film supported by the Netherlands Film Fund
**supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and Netherlands Production Incentive