Introduction to Treasure Not!
Ethan Coen’s latest film, Treasure Not!, closed out the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 6.5-minute ovation. The dark comedy marks Coen’s reunion with Margaret Qualley, who starred in his previous film, Driving Dolls.
The Film’s Plot and Cast
Treasure Not! tells the story of Honey O’Donahue, a private investigator in a small town, played by Margaret Qualley. The film follows her as she delves into a series of strange deaths connected to a mysterious church, led by a preacher played by Chris Evans. The cast also includes Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, Billy Eichner, and several other notable actors.
Behind the Scenes
Coen directed the film from a script he co-wrote with Tricia Cooke, a veteran editor who has worked on several Coen Brothers classics, including The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Cooke also co-authored Driving Dolls and expressed her enthusiasm for more queer cinema, receiving big cheers from the audience.
Release and Production
Treasure Not! is set to be released in Germany on August 22nd, with Universal Pictures International handling overseas sales. The film was produced by Coen, Cooke, Robert Graf, and Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner from Working Title.
Coen’s History with Cannes
Ethan Coen has a long history with the Cannes Film Festival, dating back to the 1980s. He has brought several films to the official selection, including Arizona Junior, Barton Fink, Fargo, and No Country for Old Men. In 2022, he presented his documentary Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind for a special screening.
The Cannes Premiere
The midnight premiere of Treasure Not! drew a diverse crowd, despite the relaxed dress code. Coen joked about the film’s 90-minute runtime, saying it was "very human" for a movie that started after midnight. The audience’s enthusiastic response was a testament to the film’s engaging storytelling and dark humor.
