In this timely and electric Un Certain Regard–premiering drama, a family must contend with the distressing prospect of being separated by immigration officials.

Korean-American Antonio LeBlanc has spent his whole life in Louisiana’s bayou region, where he was raised after being adopted as a baby. Now happily married and raising his own family, he is shocked to learn that he’s facing deportation – from the only home he’s ever known. To stay in the USA and to keep his family together, Antonio will have to fight with everything he’s got.

Inspired by true events, Blue Bayou is a touching, heartbreakingly pertinent film from writer/director Justin Chon, who makes his Cannes debut after having his previous features Gook and Ms. Purple premiere at Sundance. Chon, who is arguably best known to Australian audiences as an actor – he played Eric Yorkie in the Twilight series – also stars in the film alongside Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, with Mark O’Brien (Marriage Story), Linh Dan Pham (Indochine) and Emory Cohen (Brooklyn) providing memorable support. A vital tale of identity, statelessness and belonging, Blue Bayou is essential viewing from a rising cinematic voice.

“Both a passionate exposé of a serious injustice and a big emotional ride that is also prepared to take some interesting risks in its journey towards an old-school tear-jerker finale.” – Screen Daily