San Sebastián Opens With Pitt, Cruz and a New Les Misérables

Brad Pitt is back in San Sebastián. Penélope Cruz is arriving with three films.

The 74th San Sebastián Film Festival runs Sept. 18-26 in the Spanish coastal city, mixing Hollywood star power with Spanish cinema and a new French take on Les Misérables, according to Variety.

Pitt brings Heart of the Beast. The film is directed by David Ayer and will screen out of competition in the Official Selection, meaning it plays in the main section but does not compete for the top prize. The festival lists Ayer as attending the screening.

It is Pitt's return after his last visit with Inglourious Basterds. That gap gives this trip weight. Seventeen years is a long time between festival visits.

Cruz has a busy edition. She appears with The Invite, Bunker and La Bola Negra. The last of the three is directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi and is a Movistar Plus+ Original.

Lifetime achievement honours frame the opening days. Werner Herzog receives a Donostia Award, the festival's honour for a career body of work, at the opening ceremony on Sept. 18. Naomi Watts receives a Donostia Award on Sept. 19.

The competition slate includes a big literary adaptation. Fred Cavayé's Les Misérables, a new version of Victor Hugo's novel, is in the Official Selection, the festival confirmed in August. The French-language film runs 178 minutes and stars Vincent Lindon, Tahar Rahim and Noémie Merlant.

That announcement came with four other additions: The Debut, Garrat du váimmu (Brace Your Heart), Bian Jing (Border) and Krux, according to Deadline. A title linked to Jesse Eisenberg was also added to the selection.

Spanish cinema gets its own showcase. The Made in Spain strand will present 24 films, including Pedro Almodóvar's Bitter Christmas and Rodrigo Sorogoyen's The Beloved.

For fans following at home, this means a crowded nine days. Red carpets first. Release dates and buyers follow.