Kantemir Balagov's 'Butterfly Jam' to Premiere at Cannes Amid Creative Challenges

Kantemir Balagov's latest film, "Butterfly Jam," marks a significant step in his directing career, following his acclaimed entries "Closeness" and "Beanpole," both of which earned prestigious awards at the Un Certain Regard section. Despite the challenges posed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent artist exodus to the United States, Balagov shifted his focus to a contemporary setting rooted in a local community. Originally titled "Monica," the project underwent revisions during its development. The film is a collaborative effort, co-written with Marina Stepnova, and centers on 15-year-old Pyteh, a boy from New Jersey's Circassian community. His family operates a struggling diner specializing in Circassian cuisine, and he is also training to become a professional wrestler. After a misadventure involving his father's questionable scheme, Pyteh confronts the complexities of his father's identity and faces a surge of violence that forces him into premature maturity. Starring talents such as Barry Keoghan, Riley Keough, and Harry Melling, with newcomer Talha Akdoganv in the lead role, the film boasts an impressive team including cinematographer Jomo Fray, production desig...