Cannes: Jacob Elordi's 'Oh, Canada' receives four-minute-long standing ovation
What's the story
Paul Schrader's latest film Oh, Canada, starring Richard Gere and Uma Thurman, made its grand debut at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday night. The film was met with a four-minute standing ovation at the Grand Lumiere Theatre. However, Hollywood's rising star Jacob Elordi, who is also a part of the film's ensemble, gave the film festival a miss.
Emotional speech
Schrader expressed gratitude, acknowledged writer Russell Banks
Schrader, visibly overwhelmed by the audience's response, kept his comments brief yet honest. He expressed gratitude toward his cast and acknowledged writer Russell Banks, whose book served as the basis for Oh, Canada. "It is very nice to be back on the Croisette!" said Schrader before exiting. Despite a more subdued response to the film itself, there were cheers and at least one "bravo!" heard from the crowd.
Twitter Post
Here is the clip from Cannes
Even a crank can’t resist getting sentimental in #Cannes2024. Paul Schrader tears up as ‘Oh, Canada’ gets a four-minute standing ovation. pic.twitter.com/By929JaXXI
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) May 17, 2024
Actor's perspective
Thurman shared insights on 'Oh, Canada'
Thurman shared her excitement about working on Oh, Canada, describing the script as unusual but captivating. "The script. I think it's probably more clear filmed than it was on the page. It was such an unusual read," she said. Thurman further described the film as "a reverie of a man in the last moments of his life," reflecting its basis on Banks's 2021 novel Foregone.
Missing co-star
Elordi's absence addressed by director Schrader
Elordi portrays the younger version of Gere's character in Oh, Canada, and was reportedly absent from the premiere due to his filming commitments for Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein. Schrader addressed this by saying: "I'm very happy with Richard, Uma, Jake — not here with us -and it all worked out. I'm very happy to be back here on the Croisette."