Cannes Film Festival sees Warwick Thornton return with 'The New Boy'

Emma Ruben Published April 17, 2023 at 4.15pm (AWST)

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Cate Blanchett and newcomer Aswan Reid in The New Boy. Photo credit: Ben King.

Award-winning Kaytetye filmmaker Warwick Thornton has had his new drama selected to showcase at this year's Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard program.

The spiritual drama, The New Boy, is the second film of Thornton's to be showcased at Cannes Film Festival after he won the Caméra d'Or Award for Samson & Delilah in 2009.

Thornton is also known for his acclaimed film Sweet Country, which won the Special Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival. He's won several awards such as the Caméra d'Or Award and the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards.

Set in 1940s Australia, The New Boy depicts nine-year-old orphaned Aboriginal boy who arrived at a remote monastery in the dead of night. Run by a renegade nun, his presence comes as an unwanted addition to what was already a structured, balanced world.

Roadshow Films executive officer Joel Pearlman said it will be exciting to see Thornton return to Cannes.

"Warwick Thornton is one of Australia's most celebrated filmmakers and his return to Cannes for Un Certain Regard with his extraordinary film is incredibly exciting," he said.

"This unique Australian film will captivate audiences globally and Roadshow Films is very proud to be releasing the film to Australian audiences."

Aswan Reid on set of The New Boy. Photo credit: Ben King.

Starring in The New Boy is newcomer Aswan Reid who plays the titular character, alongside Wayne Blair, Cate Blanchett and Deborah Mailman.

Other actors in the film include Shane Brady, Tyrique Brady, Laiken Woolmington, Kailem Miller, Kyle Miller, Tyzailin Roderik and Tyler Spencer.

Filmed in South Australia, major production investment came from Screen Australia's First Nations Department in association with Screen NSW and South Australian Film Corporation.

Screen Australia's Head of First Nations Angela Bates it is fantastic to see The New Boy show at one of the more "prestigious" film festivals in the world.

"(Thornton) is a creative genius whose auteurial voice creates conversation, and this film is no different," she said.

"Warwick is also known for discovering new talent such as Aswan Reid, who shines as New Boy alongside Deborah Mailman, Cate Blanchett, and Wayne Blair in this exquisite and thought-provoking film."

The First Nations department from Screen Australia has backed this project in development over several years.

Cannes Film Festival will occur in May 2023.