The 10 Most Intriguing Movies at the Cannes Film Festival. Plus: ‘Warfare’ Is Hell, With Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza.
Apr 11, 2025
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Chris Ryan, a film and TV analyst at The Ringer, joins acclaimed director Alex Garland, known for works like Ex Machina, and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, co-director of the gripping combat drama Warfare. They dive deep into the complex perspectives presented in Warfare and its emotional resonance regarding military experiences. The trio also discusses the significance of memory in storytelling and the evolving representation of war in cinema, revealing how these narratives can challenge viewers' perceptions and provoke thoughtful reflections.
The podcast discusses mixed reactions to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival lineup, highlighting notable films that were surprisingly omitted.
Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza's film 'Warfare' presents diverse emotional experiences of soldiers through a fragmented narrative approach.
The directors emphasize memory's role in storytelling, examining how personal recollections shape perceptions of shared traumatic events.
Ray Mendoza expresses a commitment to amplifying veterans' narratives, aiming to create relatable characters rooted in authentic military experiences.
Deep dives
Return of the Zach Lowe Show
The Zach Lowe Show re-launches, focusing on in-depth discussions about the NBA, including games, strategies, and team dynamics as playoffs approach. New formats include video episodes available on Spotify and YouTube, catering to a fanbase eager for comprehensive basketball coverage. Episodes are scheduled for release twice weekly, featuring a mix of notable guests who bring unique insights into the games. This revitalization aims to foster greater community engagement in basketball discussions.
The Impact of the Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival lineup is highlighted as it continues to hold immense significance in the film industry, impacting awards races and audience anticipation. A mix of anticipated films and potential surprises emerges as key elements of the discussion, with recommendations and opinions regarding foreign films and established directors. Insights into evolving trends in film festival selections reveal a greater emergence of female filmmakers and diversity in storytelling. The festival serves as a major indicator of cinematic quality and influences future film releases and promotions.
Analyzing the Film 'Warfare'
The film 'Warfare', co-directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, portrays a military operation gone wrong during the Iraq War, focusing on the intense and chaotic experiences of the SEAL team involved. Drawing from real-life memories, the film aims for authenticity without reliance on traditional narrative structures, intentionally avoiding a central protagonist. The unique storytelling approach uses a fragmented narrative, reflecting how memories of traumatic events can vary between individuals, ensuring that no single viewpoint dominates the narrative. This technique allows for an immersive exploration of military life and the psychological toll of warfare.
Emotional Truths in Warfare
The film emphasizes the emotional experiences of soldiers rather than the political reasons behind their involvement in conflict, allowing audiences to engage with the raw realities of war. The characters exhibit complex emotions, portraying fear and camaraderie as they navigate life-threatening situations without overt glorification of their actions. The directors intentionally avoid providing a clear political statement, instead inviting viewers to reflect on the moral implications of warfare through the soldiers' lived experiences. This focus on what combat entails, rather than why, positions the film as a profound reflection on the human condition amid chaos.
Character Dynamics and Performances
Warfare’s approach to character development offers a compelling examination of collective trauma rather than individual heroism, with the ensemble cast representing diverse perspectives within the military. The performances emphasize nuanced emotional responses during combat, with actors conveying depth through subtle expressions and interactions. Ray Mendoza highlights the importance of accuracy and authenticity in portraying the soldiers' experiences, while also challenging performers to embody the stress and fear faced during missions. This commitment to realism fosters greater empathy towards the experiences of those in combat roles.
Interplay Between Art and Memory
The film explores the interplay between memory and reality, questioning the reliability of recollections in high-stress environments like war where clarity can be obscured. Both directors convey that while memories may fade or conflict, the emotional truths encountered during traumatic experiences remain significant and informative. Characters navigate their complicated experiences without narrative simplicity, underscoring the truth that individual perspectives can differ widely in recalling shared events. This thematic approach resonates with broader discussions about storytelling and the intricate relationships between experience, memory, and representation in film.
Future Paths for Filmmakers
Ray Mendoza expresses a desire to continue exploring stories rooted in the military experience while highlighting the importance of personal narratives among veterans, emphasizing the need for diverse storytelling. He aims to bring more stories from his community to the forefront, focusing on relatable characters derived from real-life experiences. Meanwhile, Alex Garland reflects on his experience co-directing Warfare and mentions working on new scripts, seeking opportunities to explore complex themes through collaboration with various directors. Both filmmakers show a commitment to evolving their storytelling methods while maintaining strong ties to the authenticity of their subjects.
Sean and Amanda begin the episode with their instant reactions to the official announcement of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival lineup. They share their overall mixed feelings about the slate, attempt to figure out why some notable films missed the cut, and debate whether or not Sean would be capable of taking a three-month movie sabbatical (1:45). Then, Chris Ryan joins the show to cover Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s new combat drama, ‘Warfare,’ to discuss how emotionally affecting the film is and examine its use of differing perspectives (29:22). Finally, Sean is joined by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza to explore the intentions behind ‘Warfare,’ then work through the importance of memory and examine how it plays a critical part in the storytelling of the film (1:02:40).
