From Cannes to Hollywood: 7 Films That Launched Successful Careers

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Goldstein in 1964

Director Philip Kaufman won a Critics’ Week prize at Cannes in 1964 for his debut feature film Goldstein, post which he went on to direct multiple Oscar-nominated films, including The Unbearable Lightness of Being.

Proof in 1991

Although Russell Crowe was already a popular actor in Australia in his early years, being typecast pushed him to Hollywood, with his film Proof premiering at Cannes in 1991. The actor received a lot of love in America and went on to become one of Hollywood's top actors.

Reservoir Dogs in 1992

Quentin Tarantino's debut feature film premiered at Cannes, earning him critical acclaim and establishing Tarantino as a filmmaker to watch out for. 

The Piano in 1993

Jane Campion made history with The Piano, which premiered at Cannes in 1993 and made her the first and only female filmmaker to win the Palme d'Or. Her most recent film is the Oscar-winning Power of the Dog.

Cronos in 1993

Guillermo del Toro premiered his debut feature, the vampire tale Cronos, at Cannes in 1993, establishing him as a visionary filmmaker.

Inglourious Basterds in 2009

Inglorious Basterds was the first Hollywood glimpse of Austrian actor Christoph Waltz, playing one of the most terrifying villains in the history of cinema. Waltz later became a part of films like Django Unchained and Spectre.

Whiplash in 2014

Damien Chazelle's intense drama about the relationship between a jazz drummer and his demanding teacher garnered critical acclaim at Cannes. Chazelle went on direct films like La La Land and Babylon.

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