Entertainment

Cannes Film Festival lineup heavy on US films

April 19, 2012 / 1:28 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Sam Riley in a still from "On the Road." Lionsgate/Youtube

(CBS/AP) The film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's Beat classic "On the Road" will be a part of the Cannes Film Festival lineup, which has a strong American slant this year.

"American cinema is back in force," said Cannes director Thierry Fremaux as he announced the slate on Thursday.

The 54 films include Brazilian director Walter Salles' "On the Road" starring Sam Riley and Kristen Stewart.

Stewart's "Twilight" co-star Robert Pattinson stars in David Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis," based on Don DeLillo's novel, which also is being screened at Cannes.

"The Artist" star Berenice Bejo will host the opening and closing ceremonies, with Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti chairing the festival's judging panel.

Also in the lineup are Andrew Dominik's "Killing Them Softly" with Brad Pitt, and "Paperboy" by Lee Daniels, director of "Precious."

Cannes favorites Michael Haneke, Ken Loach and Alain Resnais also feature in the competition for the prestigious Palme d'Or award.