Hollywood veteran and Italian new comer shine at Cannes

(L-R) Actresses Lou de Laage, Melanie Laurent, Josephine Japy, and Isabelle Carre pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of the film "The Homesman" in competition at the 67th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 18, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

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Luc Besson, one of the four producers presented at the press conference, said The Homesman is a highly instructive film of US history.

"This film portrays a vision of the United States which is little-known in Europe. It's a very exotic vision for us. We didn't know that times were as hard as this," Besson says.

"We all know about the American dream but it's good to know what went on before the dream," he says.

Jones says originality is what he looks for when deciding which projects he wishes to take on.

"When you find it you just don't hesitate," says Jones. "Here, we were lucky enough to find something very original. You don't feel like you'r in a system."

On the fourth day of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, two of the 18 films selected to compete for the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm),the top prize of the film gala, as well as other prizes, were presented.