Bejo’s “The Past” to be Distributed in the U.S. by Sony Pictures Classics

Bérénice Bejo’s future in the United States lies in The Past

Sony Pictures Classics has landed U.S. rights to the French drama The Past, which stars the 36-year-old Argentine Oscar-nominated actress, at the Cannes Film Festival.

Berenice Bejo

Directed by Asghar Farhadi, the film’s twisting plot involves secrets, lies, deceit, divorce, affairs, comas, pregnancy and other traumatic situations.

“This is a film that is so far removed from my life, from my everyday,” says Bejo. “But at the same time, it’s really interesting to play someone who is your total opposite.”

The ambitious drama starring Bejo, Ali Mosaffa and Tahar Rahim, is considered an early contender for the Palme d’Or, with reaction and reviews very strong after its screening Friday in competition.

Bejo, who earned an Oscar nomination for her star-making role in The Artist, stepped into the lead role after Marion Cotillard had to exit the project due to a scheduling conflict.

Mendes’ French Fantasy Film “Holy Motors” Opens in NYC

Eva Mendes’ latest film is being hailed “a lunatic odyssey” and “completely bonkers” by film critics…

The 38-year-old Cuban American actress stars in writer-director Leos Carax’s French fantasy drama Holy Motors, which opened this week in New York City.

Eva Mendes in Holy Motors

Starring Denis Lavant, the film centers on a strange man who is chauffeured around in a white stretch limo as he travels between multiple parallel lives.

Along with Lavant and Mendes, who plays Kay M., the film stars Edith Scob and Kylie Minogue.

The film competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.