Michael Mann, the acclaimed filmmaker, drew parallels between the current political landscape in the United States and the tumultuous upheavals of the 1960s. During a masterclass at the Lumière Festival in Lyon, France, Mann shared insights from his experiences covering the 1968 student uprisings in Paris. Celebrated for his contributions to cinema, the 82-year-old director reflected on how today’s cultural resistance manifests more through satire than through protests on the streets.
In a nearly two-hour session with Thierry Frémaux, the director of the festival and chief of Cannes, Mann recounted the pivotal events of 1968, which included significant moments such as the Democratic Convention in Chicago, the police riots, and the tragic assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. Mann described this time as a crucial awakening for social consciousness, saying, “That experience was so formative to me personally, because 1968 was this pivotal year.”
Mann humorously connected the current political divide in America to the unrest of the 1960s, stating, “What’s going on now is like the ’60s in America in a sense. Except that the vanguard and the resistance today is in South Park.” His remarks resonated with the audience, illustrating how humor can serve as a form of resistance.
As part of the festival’s tribute to Mann, a retrospective showcased twelve of his feature films, including his iconic 2001 film, Ali, which reflects on the legendary boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. The director also highlighted his latest projects, revealing that negotiations for the sequel to his classic film Heat are underway, with plans to move forward in the summer of 2026. This sequel is being developed by Amazon MGM-owned United Artists, with producer Scott Stuber working to secure rights from Warner Bros.
In a conversation about potential new genres, Mann expressed a long-standing desire to create a significant science fiction film, inspired by the “new wave of science fiction in the late 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s.” He mentioned his admiration for Metal Hurlant, which was published in the U.S. as Heavy Metal magazine. Furthermore, he disclosed plans to produce a Western titled Comanche, which he has written and will be directed by Scott Cooper. Cooper was also present at the festival for the premiere of his film Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, featuring actors Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong.
As Mann reflects on the past and looks toward future projects, he remains a significant figure in the entertainment industry, continuing to engage with pressing social issues through his work.
