Cannes Film festival set to open with zombie comedy

A view of the Palais des festivals during the 72nd international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 13, 2019. The Cannes film festival runs from May 14th until May 25th 2019. (AP)

CANNES, France (AP) — The 72nd Cannes Film Festival is set to open Tuesday with the premiere of Jim Jarmusch’s zombie comedy “The Dead Don’t Die” and the introduction of Alejandro Inarritu’s jury.

This year’s Cannes arrives with the usual swirl of celebrity and controversy. Debuting at the French film festival will be Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and the Elton John biopic “Rocketman.”

Last year’s Cannes saw 82 women protest for gender inequality on the festival’s famed red-carpet steps. Artistic director Thierry Fremaux signed a pledge promising to make the festival’s selection process more transparent and to push executive boards toward gender parity.

On Tuesday, Fremaux said Cannes is progressing in step with the industry.

Inarritu will preside over the jury that will decide this year’s Palme d’Or.