THE CANARIAN island of La Gomera will see its name up in lights at Cannes Film Festival this year, thanks to a production focusing on its lost language.
Whilst it has practically died out, the island's native tongue remains UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, and it is about to be brought back to life by Romanian film director Corneliu Porumboiu.
La Gomera - the name of the island and the film - is completely unique insofar as its language does not involve any spoken words: its 'speakers' communicate by whistling.
The Cannes début for this tiny island features a police officer who travels there to learn its whistling language, known as El Silbo (literally, 'The Whistle').
Other entries are gradually being revealed: whilst Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón was unable to compete last year with his Goya Award-winning film Roma, since the French festival does not permit Netflix productions, he will be there this year with his restored version of the Stanley Kubrick 1980 classic, The Shining.
An eponymous documentary about Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona, directed by Asif Kapadia - who has also created documentaries about late stars, Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna and rocker Amy Winehouse - is 'entering' hors concours and will be the second of its type about Maradona to appear at Cannes: the first was in 2008, by Emir Kusturica.
Terrence Malick, who won the 2011 Palme d'Or with The Tree of Life will be back this year with A HiddenLife, set in World War II - but Cannes' managing director Thierry Frémaux warns Malick, if he is there in person, 'will not be seen by anyone', as he is said to be very adept at avoiding reporters.
British singer Elton John will be present at the festival - Frémaux says the organisers will 'hide a piano' there 'in case he wants to regale us with his immense talent' - since a film about his life, Rocketman, will be entered, starring Taron Egerton and Bryce Dallas Howard.
One of the most eagerly-awaited entries, Quentin Tarantino, will not, however, be taking part, since his latest film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - a comedy about a western actor who falls off his pedestal and starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo di Caprio - will not be finished in time.
The production will be presented in 35 millimetres, making the post-production process very slow, but Frémaux says 'as long as he makes a good film, that's all that matters for an artist of his calibre'.
Cult Spanish director, the off-the-wall Pedro Almodóvar, will be entering with his latest production Dolor y Gloria ('Pain and Glory'), starring Málaga-born Hollywood veteran Antonio Banderas.
Ken Loach is also due to attend, Frémaux confirms.
Cannes Film Festival is held between May 14 and 25.
