Werner Herzog's Bucking Fastard Withdrawn from Cannes 2026

Werner Herzog's latest film, Bucking Fastard, has been withdrawn from the Cannes Film Festival after the director declined the invitation due to its non-competitive status. The film features sisters Kate and Rooney Mara as twins on a quest for true love, inspired by real-life events. Herzog's decision reflects his desire for the sisters to be eligible for awards. The film, shot in Ireland and Slovenia, showcases a unique narrative and has generated significant interest in the film community. Read on to discover more about this intriguing project and its background.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 23:47 IST

Bucking Fastard Not Participating in Cannes Film Festival

Werner Herzog's film, Bucking Fastard, will not be featured at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Although the festival had extended an invitation for Herzog's film to be showcased, it was not in a competitive category. The renowned German director disagreed with this classification and opted to decline the invitation. This film marks Herzog's first English-language project, featuring sisters Kate Mara and Rooney Mara portraying twins in a drama inspired by true events. The cast also includes Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson.

Herzog's Decision on Cannes 2026 Invitation

As reported by a media outlet, a representative confirmed that Bucking Fastard was invited to participate in the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Herzog rejected the offer because the film would not be competing. A source indicated that the director wanted the Mara sisters to be eligible for awards, which would not be possible if the film was screened outside of competition. Initially, when the festival announced its lineup, Bucking Fastard was included.

In a similar situation last year, filmmaker Jim Jarmusch also declined to participate in the festival after his film Father Mother Sister Brother was not given a competitive slot. That film later premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Golden Lion.

Insights into Bucking Fastard

The film's plot revolves around twins Jean and Joan Holbrooke, who embark on a quest for an imaginary land where true love exists. Their journey involves digging a tunnel through a mountain range to uncover this place. Herzog drew inspiration from the infamous British twins Freda and Greta Chaplin, who gained notoriety in the 1980s due to a restraining order placed on them by a man they were both involved with. The film's title references a synchronized verbal slip made by the sisters during court proceedings.

Kate Mara expressed that collaborating with Herzog and her sister Rooney was an extraordinary experience. She described the project as a "dream scenario" and shared with another media outlet that it was magical to find roles where they were equals in so many aspects, making the experience perfect. Herzog wrote and directed the film, which was filmed in Ireland and Slovenia.