Animated Alzheimer's Film 'Tangles' Steals Cannes With Standing Ovation, Asghar Farhadi Addresses Iran War

Four days into the Cannes Film Festival, the event continues to deliver unforgettable moments, from standing ovations to thought-provoking press conferences. Today’s highlights include the debut of the animated tearjerker Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer’s, My Mother and Me, and Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi addressing the Iran war.

Tangles Earns Seven-Minute Ovation at Cannes

The Canadian animated feature Tangles premiered to overwhelming acclaim on Thursday. Directed by Leah Nelson, the film received a seven-minute standing ovation and moved audiences to tears, including Lauren Miller Rogen, the film’s producer and wife of actor Seth Rogen.

The film features voice work from Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seth Rogen, Abbi Jacobson, and Samira Wiley. Produced by Vicky Patel and Sarah Leavitt, Tangles is based on Leavitt’s graphic novel memoir. The story follows Sarah, who leaves her activist life in 1990s San Francisco to care for her mother as Alzheimer’s erases her vibrant personality.

Ben Croll, reviewing for the festival, described the film as “often playing like an animated scrapbook,” emphasizing its poignant reflection on fleeting moments. The film’s emotional resonance has drawn comparisons to Flow, a previous Cannes debut that became an Oscar-winning animated hit.

Another standout at Cannes was Club Kid, directed by and starring Jordan Firstman. The film earned a six-minute standing ovation, with Firstman sharing a playful kiss with co-star Diego Calva during the celebration.

Asghar Farhadi Addresses Iran War During Cannes Press Conference

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi returned to Cannes with Parallel Tales, a film based on a segment of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Dekalog. Starring Isabelle Huppert, Virginie Efira, Vincent Cassel, Pierre Niney, and Adam Bessa, the movie has received mixed reviews at the festival.

During a press conference, Farhadi addressed the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, delivering a powerful statement:

"Any murder is a crime." Under no circumstances can I accept the fact that another human being should lose his life.

Farhadi, who was in Tehran last week, reflected on two tragic events: the deaths of innocent civilians, including children, in the war, and the massacre of protesters who took to the streets. He emphasized,

"These two events are extremely painful and will never be forgotten."

The director’s remarks underscored the human cost of conflict, resonating deeply with audiences and critics alike.