69th Berlinale Complete Lineup Final

Post is ready with all sections verified and yes, have read about each of below films. Festival has about 400 films and below list has most of them.  Sections listed with films have ALL films (features and shorts, if applicable) and Forum has some additional older films that interested me.

There are many films that I'm looking forward to watch, which have exponentially increased my viewing queue, sigh.  No doubt this year Berlinale Competition is very interesting with films of well-known directors -which is always welcomed as believe newcomers should debut in fests other than-competitition sections, unless their film is outstanding...

In about a week the fest will began and yes, I'm starting to feel sad as will miss Kosslick and his pleasant larger than life casual personality.  But will try to enjoy him for one last time during the festival.  Wonder if he leaves, will fun-to-watch (in a very dark way) Anke Engelke leave too?  The chemistry these two had was like oil and water but was the funniest I have seen in any festival and elsewhere; remember that I like very-dark dry humor (lol).

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90th Academy Awards Nominations

Recently AMPAS announced the nominations for the 2018 edition of the Oscars honoring films released in 2017.  The announcement was made by Tiffany Haddish and Andy Serkis; Haddish performance was not really adequate to be reading the most famous, most expected award nominations where names mean everything for those being honored with an Oscar nomination.

Nevertheless, Haddish and Serkis announced online the nominees in 11 categories at 5:22am PT, with pre-taped category introductions by Academy members Priyanka Chopra, Rosario Dawson, Gal Gadot, Salma Hayek, Michelle Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, Molly Shannon, Rebel Wilson and Michelle Yeoh. Haddish and Serkis announced online and live TV in many countries of the world, the remaining 13 categories at 5:38 a.m. PT.

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#Oscars2018 Foreign-Language Films Shortlist

Yesterday AMPAS announced the shortlist of nine (9) films that advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign-Language Film category.  Ninety-two films had originally been considered in the category.

Foreign Language Film nominations are determined in two phases.  The Phase I committee, consisting of several hundred Los Angeles-based Academy members, screened the original submissions in the category between mid-October and December 11.  The group’s top six choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the Academy’s Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee, constitute the shortlist.

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90th Academy Awards Foreign Language Films Submissions

10/6/17 Update - AMPAS surprised many of us with what we can call an early release of the submitted and accepted films to the foreign language film category as usually takes them 10 days or more to announce the complete list. But more interesting is the amount of countries that had films accepted, a new record (!) with 92 submitting films this year, which are seven (7) more countries/films than last year's 85.

There are too many great films in list and too-many films, period. Hopefully new "simplified" process will allow more films to be seen by more people, but believe is just a hope as know that films with strong promotion will have better chances than those without it. Already have received several invitations to private screenings in LA and yes are for films from the great filmmakers as this year list has several master filmmakers like Haneke, Akin, Ostlund, Martel, Roskam, Holland, Lelio, Bartas, Trier, and Zvyagintsev plus perhaps lesser known but already collected great accolades like Alain Gomis, Annemarie Jacir, Mijke de Jong, Jonas Carpignano, Ildiko Enyedi and Robin Campillo. Missing is Kaurismaki, but we know he's against all this fuzz and buzz, sigh.

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2017 Invitation to Join AMPAS

Yesterday the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced is extending 774 invitations to join the organization and because there are some people I was very positively impressed they were invited, as well as was utterly impressed Kristen Stewart is not a member as of this moment (!!!), I'm doing this post with comments and to list some of the people invited a couple of Academy Branches.

On the interesting side of AMPAS list there are 30 individuals that have been invited by multiple branches, but they have to select only one branch upon accepting membership.  Besides having to pay their financial dues, new members will be welcomed into the Academy at invitation-only receptions in the fall - meaning Oscar Season.

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70th Festival de Cannes Award Winners

Suddenly, Cannes is over. Once Again. Feel kind of sad.  Very glad there are great movies in this year edition that hope to see sooner than later.

Regret that jury didn't wanted to make history, didn't wanted to be remembered forever, didn't wanted to give for the very first time EVER the Palme d'Or to a two-time-winner director and make him the ONLY three-time winner. Sigh.

Instead they opted for a Swedish film in English by a great Swedish director debut in not-his-mother-tongue film.  The good news is that film could be good as not many directors have succeed when they do films in other languages; so, good for him (!) and also, for us -the audience.

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Three Days to #Cannes2017

Finally today organizers released the names of the jurors in ALL juries! Will stop this post to update main Cannes post will the names. Done.  Please check the jurors as has been a long time since a jury has so many outstanding directors together (!!!) as the short films jury has. Great!

Cannes in Numbers

Even when is not at the official site, let me share some interesting figures from this edition that hope are accurate. After all consideration selected only some that probably have less chance to be wrong, sigh.

-There are 60 films from 36 countries in the Official Selection.  Films were selected from 1,930 entries which is a bit higher than the 1,869 film considered in 2016.  From this total, 19 films are in competition and 18 in the Un Certain Regard competition.

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70th Festival de Cannes Official Selection Lineup - Update 2

A few minutes ago organizers announced the jurors that will work with the already announced presidents of the four different juries that will award the official section prizes.

Un Certain Regard jury will award its prizes to the winners, chosen from its selection of 18 films, during the section Closing Ceremony on Saturday, May 27th at Debussy Theatre.  Check below to learn all jury members.

The Short Films and Cinéfondation Jury will be awarding prizes for the 16 student films shown as part of the Cinéfondation Selection; prizes will be announced on Friday, May 26th at an Awards Ceremony in the Buñuel Theatre, which will be followed by a screening of the winning films.  The Jury must also name the Short Film Palme d'Or winner from among the 9 films in Competition which will be awarded at the festival Awards Ceremony on Sunday, May 28th in the Grand Theatre Lumière.  Check below to learn all jury members.

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2017 Cannes Possible Films - The Buzz

Know we have three more months to Cannes but believe it or not many have already started to talk about the mother of all festivals perhaps was due to the perception that this years' Berlinale was on the soft side and the hope of Cannes to be strong. The good news is that there are good chances of a very strong lineup as there are master filmmakers that could have ready their films for Cannes and there is always the chance for Cannes second or more timers to go back with great movies.

No, this is not my Wish List but a compilation of possible films that could make it to Cannes. List is made from several Cannes articles plus some lists with most anticipated films of 2017, films I've been tracking and my daily readings.

As we all know, Cannes begins in Berlin, not in the red carpet but in the Industry Market, so it's no surprise that many articles appeared while the Berlinale was running and after the Berlinale Market was closed a few days back.

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2016 Cannes Possible Films - The Buzz

Now, when the American awards season is finally over and while still there are some European annual awards to come, it's time to think about great cinema again and think about the mother of all festivals. Yay!

Alright, this is not my wish list but a compendium of possible films that could make it to Cannes this year. List is made from several Cannes articles plus some lists with most anticipated films of 2016, films I've been tracking and my daily readings.

As we already know, Cannes begins in Berlin, not in the red carpet but in the industry market so it's no surprise that many articles appeared while the Berlinale and after the Berlinale market closed.

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2015 German Films Award Winners

... and the BIG winner of the night is (drums) none other than Victoria by Sebastian Schipper, the thriller shot in a single, unedited take won six (6) Lolas including best film, best director and the top acting honors.

No, this year didn't watched live the award ceremony but I'm please that Victoria won even when I know since 2015 Berlinale that will be a hard-to-watch movie.

To read winners at official site go here (pdf file in German).  Below is the list with ALL award winners; winners are in *BLUE.

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71st Venice Film Festival Award Winners

The ceremony is over and the live streaming finished when Roy Andersson went out to the red carpet section to receive people's cheers and photographers craziness. As soon as Rai TV uploads the award ceremony video will embed it at the end of the post.

As far as I was able to read allover the net, not many were expecting Roy Andersson's film to win the Golden Lion as many were expecting The Look of Silence to win to have for the first time two documentaries winning in a row (last year Golden Lion is a documentary). But I'm very glad the Golden Lion went to the third installment of a trilogy that will have a fourth film (lol - is true) and can't wait to watch the 3rd and 4th installments. Sigh. Know Andersson's movies are VERY special and surely an acquired taste but if you love Scandinavian dead pan/coldish/slow-ish fantastic films, then I know you will enjoy Andersson's films.

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2014 Cinema Biennale Check #1 - The Poet

I know that lately I have been absent minded with too many things in my head but that is no excuse to complete scramble the movies and everything about the movies in La Mostra current edition! Yes, that happened a few days ago in a conversation with a friend. Sigh. So the best thing to do is to go in a bit depth check of what the 71st Venice Film Festival is screening.

Have to start by talking about whom has been called the Poet of Sadness and the Poet of the Everyday; the poet that perhaps is the most famous German of Turkish descent in Contemporary Cinema: Fatih Akin.

Fatih Akin

Akin was born in 1973 in Hamburg, studied visual communications at Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg and graduated in 2000. His short films and feature length films have won him several awards but is the 2007 Cannes award winner Auf der anderen Seite (The Edge of Heaven) that propels him to the stratosphere of great master filmmakers.

Is in 2004 with Berlinale Golden Bear winner Gegen die Wand (Head On) that he begins his trilogy on "Love, Death and the Devil" with absolutely awesome Auf der anderen Seite (The Edge of Heaven) being the second installment and the Venezia71 In Competition The Cut being the third and last installment. While Head On was about a young German-Turkish woman's strong desire to live and -supposedly- is about love, The Edge of Heaven told the stories of people in Germany and Turkey and -allegedly- is about death, The Cut -apparently- is about the devil as tells about a dark historic episode, the Ottoman government systematic extermination of its minority Armenian subjects.

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71st Venice Film Festival Lineup

Organizers announced this morning the 20 films that will compete for the Golden Lion in the current edition of La Mostra, a selection that included several films that we were expecting in Cannes and now we find them here. Great. So Venezia71 competition has films by well-known directors like Benoît Jacquot, Fatih Akin, Xavier Beauvois, Abel Ferrara and Andrei Konchalovsky.

Can't complain about the main competition as there are films from several countries but it's appalling that there is not even one film from Latin America and when we check films in the Official Selection plus Autonomous Sections, the Latin American absence becomes disconcerting. Also disconcerting is the strong presence of American films (3 in competition plus too many to count in Orizzonti and other sections) so here I am wondering what is happening with world cinema when there is very little presence of Latin America and such a strong presence by USA. Not good news for me, sigh.

In a positive note the Official Selection has 55 films of which 54 are World premieres and 1 is an International premiere. Venezia71 Competition has 20 films, 19 World premieres and 1 International premiere. Organizers received and viewed 3,377 films of which 1,600 were feature films and 1,777 were short films.

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2014 Cannes Film Festival Wish List

Know is very early but today was reading a magazine article with Cannes rumors and got really excited as the article included some movies by great directors and whether or not make it to the fest, it is absolutely necessary to have these movies recorded here for future viewing. Hope we all enjoy some if not ALL of the following films. Sorry for the French summaries posted when no English ones are available and me too lazy to translate (lol).

From French Directors

Bird People by Pascale Ferran with -the voice of- Mathieu Amalric plus Josh Charles, Anaïs Demoustier
An American arrives in Paris, checks into a hotel, turns off his cell phone and starts his life anew.

La Chambre Bleue by and with Mathiew Amalric
Un homme et une femme s’aiment en secret dans une chambre, se désirent, se veulent, se mordent même. Puis s’échangent quelques mots anodins après l’amour. Du moins l’homme le croit-il...
A man and woman who make love in secret in a bedroom. They desire and long for each other, even bite each other. Then they exchange a few banalities after making love. Or at least that’s what the man believes. Adaptation of Georges Simenon's novel with the same name (1964).

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Day 3 at 2012 Cannes

Today is a strange Cannes day for as both of the films screened in the main competition are not that much interesting for me and is in the other sections where films call my attention. Strange, isn't?

Main Competition

Reality by Matteo Garrone

Matteo Garrone history with Cannes starts with Gomorra that I realized was a good movie but had a very hard-to-watch story for me. His next film, Reality, suggests to have an easier to watch story while keeping a style that I tend to see as cinema verité -with a modern version of classic Italian neo-realism-.

Reality is a satirical comedy focusing on the obsessional relationship between Italy's TV and Reality TV; obsession that I imagine could be extrapolated to many other countries like for example, America. Still I expect a very Italian story with those particular characters that inhabit Italian cinema. Check the synopsis.

Luciano is a Neapolitan fishmonger who supplements his modest income by pulling off little scams together with his wife Maria. A likeable, entertaining guy, Luciano never misses an opportunity to perform for his customers and countless relatives. One day his family urge him to try out for Big Brother. In chasing this dream his perception of reality begins to change.

Not really watched the available photocall, TV Festival de Cannes interview or the press conference as to be honest I'm not interested in learning more about this movie that I know I'll watch out of curiosity trying to understand the reason why this film is in the official selection. Besides, can't stand the voice-over translation after a few minutes. Sigh.

Will confess that have been reading some reviews and spotted one that changed my perception for the positive. Reliable review tells about the very long film opening sequence that sounds exactly how I like my films, now I'm excited about this film that English language media is trashing. Good.

Paradies: Liebe (Paradise: Love) by Ulrich Seidl

The first of what many have predicted will be a controversial film and if you read news headlines then you'll realize that they were right. Not very familiar with director but his previous film Import/Export is one of those films that I simply couldn't watch, so my expectations regarding this film are extremely low.

Since I learned about the story I couldn't help but to compare it with Laurent Cantet's Vers le sud (Heading South) where three French female tourists go to 1980's Haiti while Seidl's film tells about one Austrian female tourist that go to Kenya, but is only the first installment of a trilogy with two more stories to follow. Main difference seems to come from Cantet's film having a very important political implication while Seidl's film seems to tell a story about longing for love. In his next films, one will be about sex tourism and the last about losing virginity Check film synopsis.

On Kenya’s beaches they are known as "sugar mamas": European women who seek out African boys selling love to earn a living. Teresa, a 50-year-old Austrian woman, travels to this vacation paradise. "PARADISE: Love" tells of older women and young men, of Europe and Africa, and of the exploited, who end up exploiting others. Ulrich Seidl’s film is the first in his PARADISE-Trilogy about three women, three vacations and three stories of the longing to find happiness today.

Still I found some movie clips quite funny in a very dark way, so maybe eventually I could give this movie a try hoping to have a better experience than with his previous film. Sigh.

Skipped videos for the same reasons as the first movie in competition; wish they had a version where there was no voice-over translations for those that understand the language(s) people are speaking.

Un Certain Regard

Beast of the Southern Wild by Benh Zeitlin

Debut film (competing for the Camera d'Or) by Benh Zeitlin that is an award-winner at Sundance fest. Great credentials specially because after watching trailer got interested in watching for what seems like a dreamlike world told with great visuals. Check trailer here and the following synopsis.

Hushpuppy, an intrepid six-year-old girl, lives with her father, Wink, in "the Bathtub," a southern Delta community at the edge of the world. Wink's tough love prepares her for the unraveling of the universe; for a time when he's no longer there to protect her. When Wink contracts a mysterious illness, nature flies out of whack-temperatures rise, and the ice caps melt, unleashing an army of prehistoric creatures called aurochs. With the waters rising, the aurochs coming, and Wink's health fading, Hushpuppy goes in search of her lost mother.

Story probably will not be easy-to-watch as is set against the backdrop of Katrina but I hope that film visuals and suggested poetry will make the ride easier as definitively is a film that calls my attention and I know I'll be watching.

Laurence Anyways by Xavier Dolan

One of the most awaited films by me as absolutely enjoyed his two previous films mainly because I believe that Xavier Dolan has a particular -quite quirky- storytelling style that loudly says the word ART in the most unique way, by the use of primary colors, beautiful sights, great framing, slow pace, great music score/songs in a non-conventional narrative that tells stories often told but never seen like in his films. That's what I expect from this film and I'm sure I will get it. Just check the trailer here.

Then I consider Dolan as the best contemporary director of LGTB themed films, the one that seems to have constant high quality movies while telling good gay interest stories and I hope that this film will continue to improve his oeuvre style as well as the LGTB genre. But I know that not many that like the genre will agree with me as he does not have the regular genre style; which obviously makes his movies not for all LGTB audiences. We have to remember that he does films that absolutely transcends the genre.

Laurence Anyways is the story of a wild and unusual love. Check the synopsis.

Montreal, 1989. Laurence (Melvil Poupaud), who teaches literature at a CEGEP, has lived for two years with Fred (Suzanne Clément), the love of his life. On his 30th birthday, Laurence tells Fred that although he's madly in love with her and he doesn't want to lose her, he's a woman trapped in a man's body and wants to undergo a sex change. Although Fred feels betrayed at first, she decides to stay and help Laurence with his transformation. But daily life is not easy for the unusual couple. Laurence is fired after he starts dressing as a woman at school. Fred begins to resent Laurence for wanting her in spite of deciding to be a woman.

Dolan may not be pleased that his film did not made the competition line up but viewers like me are really happy that he continues to make very interesting films from whichever point-of-view you wish to analyze them. Ah! this is another film that many assure will generate controversy at Cannes and yes, film is competing for the Queer Palm and I'm sure deserves winning but there is another more genre conventional gay film that could please the jury more and probably will win.

Absolutely Must Be Seen for me, but yes I know, is not for everyone.

Out of Competition

Madagascar 3, Europe’s Most Wanted by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath

By now it has become usual that Cannes screens an American animation movie which surely brings media attention to the fest but makes me wonder why they so prominently do not screen animation films from other countries that produce higher quality animation and probably need more the exposure that Cannes gives. Sigh.

This movie is the 5th DreamWorks film to be presented at Cannes and will be shown in 3D today. Not much to talk about film that surely will collect huge amounts of money around the world.

Photocall, press conference and red carpet videos are available to watch if you wish to see -for entertainment purposes- the actors that gave their voice to the characters, Jessica Chastain, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Martin Short, Jada Pinkett-Smith and David Schwimmer.

Special Screenings

Der Müll Im Garten Eden (Polluting Paradise) by Fatih Akin

One of my favorite directors returns to Cannes with a documentary about a very important current issue: garbage pollution -so important that there is in Cannes another doc, Trashed, with the same theme-.

I find the story behind the filming of this doc fascinating as tells that while filming some great Auf der Anderen Seite scenes in his grandparents homeland at Çamburnu, Turkey, learnt that the state was intending to build a garbage dump just next door. He started to film, thinking "naively" that this would deter the planners and got into a project that would last five years. This is the synopsis.

Camburnu is a small mountain village in northeastern Turkey. Thanks to the Black Sea’s mild and humid climate, the villagers have lived for generations off tea cultivation and fishing in harmony with the nature surrounding them. But this idyllic environment is threatened by the government’s decision ten years ago to build a garbage landfill directly above the village. Despite protests by the mayor and the villagers, a waste facility has been built that does not comply with the most important security and building standards and since then has continued to pollute the environment through accidents and disasters. The air is polluted, the ground water is contaminated, the annual rains flush the waste down the slopes, and flocks of birds and stray dogs have besieged the village. The tea growers, whose plantations lie beneath the landfill, have lost their livelihood. The consequences are devastating and clearly evident for everyone to see and yet tons of waste continues to be dumped in the landfill every day.

Not easy to imagine this theme in the hands of whom has been called "a poet of sadness" but then if I think twice, there is nothing more sad nowadays as how effectively we human beings are destroying planet Earth. Absolutely Must Be Seen for me as I know Akin's filmmaking and storytelling style has to be in this documentary.

Mekong Hotel by Apichatpong Weerasethakul,

Palme d'Or winner Weerasethakul takes us into another of his mystical cinema voyages, one that travels fact, fiction and fantasy while telling a critical view of Thai society. This time he also is an actor in the film that has the following synopsis.

Mekong Hotel is a portrait of a hotel near the Mekong River in the north-east of Thailand. The river there marks the border between Thailand and Laos. In the bedrooms and terraces, Apichatpong held a rehearsal with his crew for a movie that he wrote years ago called Ecstasy Garden. The film shuffles different realms, fact and fiction, expressing the bonds between a vampire-like mother and her daughter, the young lovers and the river. Mekong Hotel - since it was shot at the time of the heavy flooding in Thailand - also weaves in layers of demolition, politics, and a drifting dream of the future.

Intriguing story that I know will not be easy to watch because Apichatpong filmmaking and storytelling style is hard to follow, but I know that I'll be watching film. To learn more about this film suggest to read article here.

Cannes Classics

Today Cannes pays tribute to Keisuke Kiroshita screening his 1958 film Narayama Bushi Ko, a film inspired by Kabuki. To read more go here.

Also today the screening of Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America new restored by the iniciative of Martin Scorsese's Film Foundation and carried out by the Cinémathèque de Bologne plus other institutions . Version is very close to the director's initial montage and is 25 minutes longer. If you wish to lean more go here.  Film was presented by Jennifer Connelly, James Woods and Robert De Niro.

Cinéma de la Plage

Today a film directed by Jackie Chan, 1983 Project A, in which he also stars. To read more go here.

Quinzaine

No by Pablo Larraín

I watch everything that Pablo Larraín does for the big screen, so it's no surprise when I say that film is Must Be Seen for me. But this time I have my doubts as lead character is played by an actor that I don't enjoy much, Gael Garcia Bernal; but hope that Larraín was able to make his performance more enjoyable. Also here Larraín regular great Alfredo Castro the lead in director fabulous films Tony Manero and Post Mortem.

From the little I been able to learn -which is more than enough for me- without a doubt I believe that story will be interesting.

When Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet, facing international pressure, calls for a referendum on his presidency in 1988, opposition leaders persuade a brash young advertising executive, Rene Saavedra, to spearhead their campaign. With scant resources and constant scrutiny by the despot’s watchmen, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and free their country from oppression.

I expect unconventional narrative with Larraín peculiar style that is not easy-to-watch as can be considered brutal and very realistic, told with a very slow pace that seems like movie stays still for too long periods of time. Also expect a very intense emotional voyage that plays more with non-pleasant emotions. No, I'm not a masochist, you have to watch his films to really understand what I'm expecting and how those films give you great cinematic experiences.. But the inclusion of Garcia Bernal makes me think that maybe this time Larraín has gone more mainstream, let's hope I'm wrong.

I already know that today's screening had a long standing ovation (or like someone says: Wild Applause) and that some critics reviews are positive, so my hopes for a great film are confirmed, somehow. Spanish press goes wild with reactions, articles abound all over. I'm learning about media reactions because I'm looking for a film still that doesn't have Gael Garcia to include here, but as there is no trailer there is no sans Gael Garcia photo, unbelievable. So,  photo is from the screening with film credits in the background.

Alyah by Elie Wajeman

Debut film (competing for the Camera d'Or) by Wajeman that I'm not sure if I will enjoy or not. From few clips and synopsis can't figure out director style or if I will like story, but I'm not concerned as with many French films it is only after watching that you learn if you like director style and story. Then cast is interesting with the likes of Cédric Kahn and Adèle Haenel.

Suggest to check clips here and this is film synopsis.

Paris 2011. Alex is 27. He's lives off dealing and pays the debts of his brother, Isaac, who after being his support has now become dead weight. When his cousin announces he's going to open a restaurant in Tel Aviv, Alex imagines he can join him and change his life. Set on emigrating, Alex has to find money, leave his beloved Paris, end his complicated love life, drop his destructive brother and find his way.

News

As we know yesterday Nuri Bilge Ceylan received the Carrosse d'Or and earlier he gave a masterclass. To honor and congratulate him here are some great photos from the masterclass.





Semaine de la Critique

Au Galop by Louis-Do de Lencquesaing

Lencquesaing debut film that is another French film with a great cast that I'm not sure will enjoy or not; nevertheless clips suggests that I probably will. Check clips here.

Lencquesaing is best known as an actor, last saw him in acclaimed Maïwenn's Polisse, but he has been in 61 films; the good news is that he also acts in film along with Xavier Beauvois, Denis Podalydès, Marthe Keller, and Alice de Lenquesaing. But is synopsis what stimulates most my imagination.

Ada was settled in her life, she was pleased with it, or thought she was. She was one half of a couple who seemed happy, she’d had a child, was even due to get married, and wham… she met Paul… And this Paul was writer to boot, who lived alone with his grown daughter, had an exceedingly intrusive mother, and had the unfortunate idea of losing his father when this story had hardly got off the ground… Life started to gather speed. It was about time.

Think I have to watch this film that first European reviews headlines tell about reviewers' approval.

Howard Cantour.com by Shia LaBeouf

The special screening of the fourth short film by this very talented young American actor -that I'm still waiting for him to stop doing Hollywood blockbuster movies-. Story is very " à propos " of the section where is screened, take a look.

This is the story of Howard Cantour. A film critic. A warrior. He lives his life vicariously through movies and in movies. But Howard is no sellout. He says it like he sees it. This is the story of his life and how he struggles to review his film hero's latest directed movie.

Yes will watch if ever comes near me.

L'ACID

Today La Vierge, Les Coptes et Moi (The Virgin, the Copts and Me) by Namir Abdel Messeeh a documentary that tells the story of Namir who decides to shoot a film on the Virgin Mary's apparition in Egypt, but then the problems start. Film was at 2012 Tribeca so there are many reviews; if you wish to read one review at Slant Magazine go here.  Not really interested in film.

Thinking

Think is about time to talk about something that's happening in Cannes which makes me extremely uncomfortable. This year the selection has all male directors and before fest opening a French feminist group, La Barbe, started a protest to complain about the absence of women directors. News spur into the world scenario thanks to wide media coverage. Then American feminists joined the protest with a petition at change.org initially signed by 250 people that by now has about 700 protesters demanding more women directors at Cannes.

I don't appreciate that this is a man's world as my own experience taught me what means to reach the crystal ceiling and not being able to advance my career due to the fact that I am a woman working in a huge international corporation with an all male board and only males in top positions.

But I do not wish that Cannes organizers select a film just because they have to fill a female directors' quota. I wish that women directors create great films that have the word ART attached to it, films that explode emotions, films that leave you breathless and in a few words, films that intensively move viewers. Then, only then, films will be worthy of Cannes and many other festivals in the world.

I highly appreciate world feminist movements as when something changes in the big countries the effect eventually spills all over the world; but, again, their specific Cannes efforts will only generate that festivals be forced to fill a quota with films that do not necessarily deserve to be honored and that's unacceptable to me.

Other Important News

Another day with very interesting announcements.

Headline read: Cate Blanchett to star in lesbian drama Carol.. Oh!!! Fantastic News! Cate Blanchett and Mia Wasikowska are to play the leads in a film version of Patricia Highsmith's lesbian classic Carol, adapted by Phyllis Nagy and directed by John Crowley. Highsmith novel was written under the Claire Morgan pseudonym and the name The Price of Salt in 1952; perhaps her best known work is The Talented Mr. Ripley thanks to the movie with the same name.

FilmDistrict acquired US distribution rights to Dead Man Down, a romantic thriller that reunites again what I believe was a very successful duo: Director Niels Arden Oplev (remember excellent original The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?) and Noomi Rapace (remember awesome original Lisbeth Salander?). My only concern is that Noomi co-star is Colin Farrel as can't imagine them working together but hopefully Niels Arden Oplev will work his magic.

Gwyneth Paltrow is in negotiations to play opposite to Antonio Banderas in Guernica 33 Days, the tale of Pablo Picasso's emotional turmoil as he painted his masterpiece.

Bertrand Bonello next film will be about the "passionate love" between Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé; set in the 60's and 70's. Great.

Sylvain Chomet is preparing a prequel to fabulous Triplettes de Belleville called Swing Papa Swing.

Think already twitted about François Ozon's latest movie, Dans La Maison (In the House) that today news tell that US distribution rights have been acquired by Cohen Media Group. Film opens in October in France. Film star is none other than Kristin Scott-Thomas. CMG also has rights to Sylvie Verheyde's Confession of a Child of the Century with Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Fantastic news is to find that producer Raymond Danon is in Cannes to finalize finance on film called Romy, about the life of tragic actress Romy Schneider!!! No actress has been cast yet to play Romy, but shooting is scheduled to start in March 2013.

Other Activities

Trophee Chopard in Partnership with Variety was handled by Sean Penn to winners Shailene Woodley and Ezra Miller last night at Martinez Hotel. Private party followed with Lana Del Rey concert. This award is given to achievements of Rising Talents and past winners include Marion Cotillard, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Diane Kruger and Gael Garcia Bernal. Just in case you are not aware Chopard is the creator of the Palme d'Or.



This evening, the Festival Agora will be hosting a benefit event for Haiti organized by Sean Penn, Petra Nemcova and Paul Haggis. Also involved Giorgio Armani who with his niece Roberta will act as the event chairs; gala will also benefit Nemcova's charity, the Happy Hearts Fund and Haggi's Artists for Peace and Justice. Photocall video is available at Cannes site if you wish to watch it.

If you have time browse the Screen At The Cannes Film Festival daily that surprisingly is FREE to read. Dailys' are very user friendly but have 100 pages with so much great info that will drive you crazy. Huge Enjoy and BIG Thank You to Screen! Go here to open Yudu file.

Suggest to watch the Daily from Variety Live @Cannes that broadcasts live at 1:00pm EST, 10am PDT; but you can also watch recorded editions. Go here.  Variety also has a FREE Cannes daily but it is not Yudu so is a bit harder to read, use this link and go down the page to find the three available.

The Not-So-Serious News

The Quinzaine might not have a good website but surely they know how to party; check some photos here.

Last night was the L'Oreal and Cannes Film Festival 15th Anniversary dinner and not only the L'Oreal stars attend but also many celebrities.

Those magnificent photos from last night fireworks were from the China Night - Opening Night of the Market event.

In Cannes, Naomi Watts, la divine Ludivine Sagnier, Melissa George, Joshua Jackson (yes with Diane Kruger), Salma Hayek, Paz Vega, Gemma Aterton, Dark Shadows Australian Bella Heathcote, Danny Glover, Ennio Moriccone, Elizabeth McGovern, Mads Mikkelsen, Asia Argento and Dario Argento.

Just for fun check a video from Calvin Klein's last night Women in Film soiree here.

Photos of the Day

Been to those VIP movie theaters where seats become almost beds and yes, I have fallen asleep in them. But nothing appeals me more right now that being able to go to Cinéma de la Plage to watch the great films and to be pampered in cozy white blankets. Photo was last night on the Croisette.



Europeans will know who is in this great photo. Can you guess?



Is Charlotte Casiraghi, Caroline's daughter and Grace Kelly's grandaughter.

65th Festival de Cannes Official Selection Lineup - Update 5

The jury of the Un Certain Regard is announced and posted here. Only 2 days for Opening Ceremony and the cinema feast will start once more, can't wait. Check facebook page for a photo that shows that today the posters are going up. Cheers!!!
---End of Update 5---

5/10
As of today we can check at the fest official site info, photos and/or videos for ALL the films in the Cannes Selection that includes all the films below; go here.
---End of Update 4 ---

5/4
Today organizers announced a new film in the Official Selection Special Screenings section, Le Serment de Tobrouk by Bernard-Henri Levy.

Also you will notice that as of today there are trailers for some short films competing at the Short Film and the Cinéfondation. Since last week I have been searching for trailers of all Cannes 2012 films on daily basis so every day there is at least one new trailer to watch at MOC.

After watching many trailers my first spontaneous impression is that films this year are very visual as many have breathtaking images. Let's hope that stories are as great as the outstanding visuals.
---End of Update 3---

4/30
Today organizers announced new films that will complement the Official Selection, one in the Special Screening, two in Midnight Screenings and three in Un Certain Regard. In Un Certain Regard section there are a total of 20 films. Also a new film in Cannes Classics that will be included in the specific post; this film will close the section on May 25.
---End of Update 2---

4/26
The jury of the main competition has been announced and there are many well-known people for me that surely will color the festival with their presence and hopefully will select the best of the best in the selection.
---End of Update 1---

4/19
Today at the Intercontinental – Le Grand Hotel in Paris Gilles Jacob and Thierry Frémaux announced the much awaited official selection and to my personal joy there are several extraordinary directors with their latest masterpieces. Among them have to mention Haneke’s Amour, Carlos Reygadas’ Post Tenebras Lux, Kiarostami’s Like Someone in Love, Mungiu’s Beyond the Hills, and many more.

Without further comments here is the 2012 Cannes Official Selection

Competition
Opening film: Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson, USA

Amour (Love), Michael Haneke, France, Austria, and Germany
Baad el Mawkeaa (After the Battle), Yousry Nasrallah, Egypt
După dealuri (Beyond the Hills), Cristian Mungiu, Romania
Cosmopolis, David Cronenberg, France, Canada, Portugal, and Italy
다른 나라에서 Da-reun Na-ra-e-suh (In Another Country), Hong Sangsoo, South Korea
De Rouille et d’Os (Rust & Bone), Jacques Audiard, Belgium and France
돈의 맛 Do-nui Mat (The Taste of Money), Im Sang-soo, South Korea
Holy Motors, Leos Carax, France
В тумане V Tumane (In the Fog), Sergei Loznitsa, Germany, Netherlands, Belarus, Russia and Latvia
Jagten (The Hunt), Thomas Vinterberg, Denmark
Killing Them Softly, Andrew Dominik, USA
Lawless, John Hillcoat, USA
ライク・サムワン・イン・ラブ Like Someone in Love, Abbas Kiarostami, France and Japan
Mud, Jeff Nichols, USA
On The Road, Walter Salles, France, UK and USA
Paradies: Liebe (Paradise: Love), Ulrich Seidl, Germany, France and Austria
Post Tenebras Lux, Carlos Reygadas, Mexico, France, and Netherlands
Reality, Matteo Garrone, Italy and France (is this Big House?)
The Angels’ Share, Ken Loach, UK and France
The Paperboy, Lee Daniels, USA
Vous N’Avez Encore Rien Vu (You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet), Alain Resnais, France

Out of Competition
Closing film: Thérèse Desqueyroux, Claude Miller, France
Io e Te (Me and You), Bernardo Bertolucci, Italy
Madagascar 3, Europe’s Most Wanted, Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, USA
Heminway & Gellhorn, Philip Kaufman, USA

The Jury
President: Nanni Moretti, director, actor and producer, Italy
Hiam Abbass, actress, Palestine
Andrea Arnold, director and scriptwriter, UK
Emmanuelle Devos, actress, France
Diane Kruger, actress, France
Jean Paul Gaultier, designer, France
Ewan McGregor, actor, UK
Alexander Payne, director, scriptwriter and producer, USA
Raoul Peck, director scriptwriter and producer, Haiti

Un Certain Regard
Closing Ceremony: Renoir, Gilles Bourdos, France
7 Dias en la Habana, 7 directors: Benicio del Toro, Pablo Trapero, Julio Medem, Elia Suleiman, Juan Carlos Tabio,, Gaspard Noé, and Laurent Cantet, France and Spain
11・25自決の日　三島由紀夫と若者たち11•25 jiketsu no hi: Mishima Yukio to wakamono-tachi (11.25 The Day he Chose his own Fate), Kôji Wakamatsu, Japan
*Antiviral, Brandon Cronenberg, Canada and USA
A Perdre La raison (aka Aimer à perdre la raison) (Loving without Reason), Joachim Lafosse, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Switzerland
*Beasts of the Southern Wild, Benh Zeitlin, USA
Confession of a Child of the Century, Sylvie Verheyde, France
Después de Lucía, Michel Franco, Mexico
Djeca (Children), Aida Begić, Bosnia Herzegovina
Elefante Blanco (White Elephant), Pablo Trapero, Argentina and Spain
*Gimme the Loot, Adam Leon, USA
*La Playa, Juan Andrés Arango, Colombia
La Pirogue (The Pirogue), Moussa Touré, Senegal and France
Laurence Anyways, Xavier Dolan, Canada and France
Le Grand Soir, Benoît Delépine and Gustave Kervern, France
Les Chevaux de Dieu (God’s Horses), Nabil Ayouch, France, Morocco, Tunisia (?)
Miss Lovely, Ashim Ahluwalia, India
Mystery, Lou Ye, China
Student, Darezhan Omirbayev, Kazakhstan and France
Trois Monde, Catherine Corsini, France

Un Certain Regard Jury
President: Tim Roth, actor and director, UK
Leïla Bekhti, actress, France
Tonie Marshall, director and Producer, France
Luciano Monteagudo, cinema critic, Argentina
Sylvie Pras, Head of Cinemas at Centre Pompidou and Artistic Director of La Rochelle Film Festival

Special Screenings
A Música Segundo Tom Jobim, Nelson Pereira Dos Santos, Brazil
Der Müll Im Garten Eden (Polluting Paradise aka Garbage in the Garden of Eden), Fatih Akin, Germany
Journal de France, Claudine Nougaret and Raymond Depardon, France
Les Invisibles, Sébastien Lifshitz, France
Le Serment de Tobrouk (The Oath of Tobruk), Bernard-Henri Lévy, France
Mekong Hotel, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand
Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir, Laurent Bouzereau, UK and Germany
The Central Park Five, Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon, USA
*Trashed, Candida Brady, UK
*Villegas, Gonzalo Tobal, Argentina, Netherlands, and France

Midnight Screenings
愛と誠 Ai To Makoto (The Legend of Love & Sincerity), Takashi Miike, Japan
Dario Argento’s Dracula, Dario Argento, France, Spain and Italy
Maniac, Franck Khalfoun, USA and France
*The Sapphires, Wayne Blair, Australia

65th Anniversary
Une journée particulière, Gilles Jacob and Samuel Faure, France

*First Film, competes for Camera d’Or

Short Films Competition
Ce Chemin Devant Moi, Mohamed Bourokba (aka Hamé), France, 15’
Chef de Meute (Herd Leader), Chloé Robichaud, Canada, 13’
Cockaigne, Emilie Verhamme, Belgium, 13’
في المنافسة Falastein, Sandouk Al Intezar Lil Burtuqal (Waiting for P.O. Box), Bassam Chekhes, Syria, 15’
Gasp, Eicke Bettinga, Germany, 15’
Mi Santa Mirada, Alvaro Aponte-Centeno, Puerto Rico, 15’
Night Shift, Zia Mandviwalla, New Zealand, 14’
Sessiz-be Deng (Silent), L. Rezan Yeşilbaş, Turkey, 14’
The Chair, Grainger David, USA, 12’
Yardbird, Michael Spiccia, Australia, 13’

The Cinéfondation Selection
Fifteen films have been selected out of more than 1,700 submissions from 320 film schools across the globe. For the first time, a Lebanese school features in the selection, which covers fiction and animation and highlights films sharing the same film-making ambition and the expression of a very personal vision.

Abigail, Matthew James Reilly, NYU, USA, 17’
Derriere Moi Les Oliviers (Behind Me Olive Trees), Pascale Abou Jamra, ALBA, Lebanon, 20’
ДОРОГА НА Doroga na (The Road To), Taisia Igumentseva,VGIK, Russia, 32’
Head Over Heels, Timothy Reckart, NFTS, UK, 10’
Les Ravissements (The Raptures), Arthur Cahn, La Femis, France, 50’
Los Anfitriones (The Hosts), Miguel Angel Moulet, EICTV, Cuba, 16’
Matteus, Leni Huyghe, Sint-Lukas Brussels, Belgium, 18’
Pude ver un Puma (Could See a Puma), UCINE, Argentina, 17’
רסן - טריילר Resen (Dog Leash), Eti Tsicko, TAU, Israel, 26’
Riyoushi (The Barber), Shoichi Akio, Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan, 39’
Slug Invasion, Morten Helgeland, The Animation Workshop, Denmark, 6’
Tabăra Din Răzoare (The Camp in Razoare), Cristi Iftime, UNATC, Romania, 22’
Tambylles, Michal Hogenauer, FAMU, Czech Republic, 58’
Terra (Land), Piero Messina, CSC, Italy, 23’
The Ballad of Finn + Yeti, Meryl O’Connor, UCLA, USA, 18’

Short Films and Cinéfondation Jury
President: Jean Pierre Dardene, director, scriptwriter and producer, Belgium
Karim Ainouz, director and scriptwriter, Brazil
Emmanuel Carrere, writer, scriptwriter and director, France
Arsinée Khanjian, actress, Canada
Yu Lik Wai, director of photography and filmmaker, China

Well the Competition has a lot of Hollywood stars that surely will walk the red carpet plus give us full serious and not-so-serious material, just check some names: Zac Efron, John Cusac, Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, Eva Mendes, Robert Pattinson, Brad Pitt, Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Jessica Chastain, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Kriisten Dunst, Bruce Willis, etc. But –thankfully- great actors will also grace the red carpet like Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Mads Mikkelsen, Juliette Binoche, and Marion Cotillard.

To check announcement at official site go here or check the press release here.

Watch Main Selection trailers @MOC
Watch Un Certain Regard trailers @MOC
Watch Short Films trailers @MOC
Watch Cinéfondation trailers @MOC
Watch trailers and clips at Cannes Official site.

Day 4 at Cannes 2011

So I rescued everything I had written before getting into my “Johnny mode”; I’m exhausted but have to admit that highly enjoyed all the time I spent reading, watching, etc Johnny … but most of all, had lots of laughs! That’s nice, clean and harmless entertainment. Now back to my Cannes mode. Let’s review what’s going on at the festival and should remind you –in case you’re a new reader- that more than a schedule these daily summaries tell about what I think about the movies that are screened each day.

Main Competition

Section first screening is Hearat Shulayim (Footnote) by Joseph Cedar that from what I have learned from film, plus trailers can’t say that I’m interested in watching; still I always end up watching all the Israeli movies I have access to, so I’ll watch if comes near me. But when I check reactions, interest grows as some are saying that is the best so far, which is alright as a reaction and tells that some people liked film, but remember that we haven’t seen yet so many movies that’s too early to start to guess. Seems is funny, a comedy around the Talmud… it’s becoming more interesting as is being called: an intellectual comedy and an academic thriller.

Watched the movie red carpet but there weren’t that many photographers or people, plus the group came walking not by car and there was no interview as is Saturday (Sabbath), so has been postponed to Sunday. As probably many in Cannes, I’m not familiar with the actors but women are quite attractive. Watch only if you have to watch all videos as not really interesting.

Next a film that seems could be controversial and now I understand why the silence about the film plus the inconsequential clips, as story surely will be hard-to-digest. Michael by Markus Schleinzer is a film about a pedophile in an uneasy situation, as many are saying in English, but when you read other languages some talk more about the film quality without forgetting the story, like for example: “La mise en scène précise et sobre de Markus Schleinzer et l'absence d'analyse psychologisante permettent au récit de déployer toute son horreur”. To be honest film quality seems exactly what I like: great silences, great framing and compositions, etc. but wonder if I will dare to watch it. There is only a video for the red carpet that couldn’t watch (probably is still uploading) so don’t know how was it.

Definitively -and until this moment- Cannes movies have controversial themes that will make films not really easy to watch for stories; still hope that the magic of cinema can bring those themes in more digestible ways. Only after watching films will know if Julia Leigh, Lynne Ramsay and Markus Schleinzer did visual magic to make film more accessible to viewers or if they didn’t; Maiwenn’s film also has a child-abuse related story, but I still wonder if she was able to do magic and story probably is more about the police group.

Out of Competition/Special Screenings

Today Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides by Rob Marshall a movie that made me do a special post. (lol!)

Early afternoon the screening of Tous Au Larzac (Leader Sheep) by Christian Rouaud a documentary that tells an interesting story of what I call “abuse of power” but honestly, is very low in my viewing priorities.

Next a documentary that surely will not be easy to watch about Michel Petrucciani, one of my favorite Jazz musicians, a film by Michael Radford; think that prefer to listen to some of his outstanding music to honor him and his hard life.

Last today is the day of a film that I hope will not disappear after Cannes, as was done exclusively for the festival; but who knows as I’m still waiting to be able to watch so many other Cannes exclusive films. I’m talking about Bollywood – The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by R. Omprakash Mehra and Jeffrey Zimbalist.

Midnight Screenings

Is until today that Wu Xia photocall, interview and press conference are up at official site. I’m not watching them but I’m surprised that they don’t have the red carpet as last night was watching photos and to my surprise Jessica Sarah Parker plus the Weinstein’s walked the marches. Also, before Wu Xia’s was screened Harvey Weinstein introduced the trailer of My Week With Marilyn, starring Michelle Williams as Monroe. Not only that but the night before Wenstein had a party with the previewing of I Don’t Know How She Does It starring Jessica. So by now we know that Wu Xia has USA distributor and a name in English: Dragon.

Un Certain Regard

Three films. The first is Les Neiges du Kilimandjaro (The Snows of Kilimanjaro) by Robert Guédiguian that yes will watch this drama mainly because I love French Cinema and no other particular reason. French press seems to like it and call it “hyper touchant, subtil, pas du tout manichéen” “the first festival tears”.

The second film is Bonsái by Cristián Jiménez that probably will watch after watching his first film Ilusiones Opticas (Optical Illusions) that haven’t seen yet, but will as soon as soon as Cannes is over. People and press that have seen it tend to give positive comments with words like “gentle, deadpan, droll and sarcastic” (ok, got my total interest). In the red carpet crew and cast protest against a hydroelectric that want to build in the Patagonia, NO Hidro Aysen. Hmm, good cause, but is this the forum?

Last, one of the two latest additions to the lineup, Bé Omid é Didar (Good Bye) by Mohammad Rasoulof that wonder if besides Cannes audience, who will be able to watch it as imagine that because of the “discreet” conditions it reached the festival an international buyer could be not easy to find even when there are world audiences for this film. Yes I would like to watch film not because of story but because as Gilles Jacob and Thierry say: film is beautiful.

Cannes Classics

Three films. First the 1966 film Hudutlarin Kanunu (The Law of the Border) by Lufti O. Akad and none other than Fatih Akin will present the film in behalf of the World Cinema Foundation. No, haven’t seen the film and wonder if I ever will, maybe when film becomes available in DVD.

Second, 1983’s Rue Cases-Négres (Sugar Cane Alley) by Euzhan Palcy preceded by a short film Moly directed by Moly Kane from Senegal and produced by Palcy. No, haven’t seen this highly honored (17 international prizes) film by Palcy who is better known as the first black female director of a Hollywood film.

Last, the screening of 1993 A Bronx Tale by Robert DeNiro that’s a tribute to the Tribeca Film Festival and to De Niro (he’ll be presenting the film) as a director; this was De Niro first time behind the camera. I have seen the movie as well as many of you for sure.

Cinéma de la Plage

Today one of my ALWAYS favorite directors, Federico Fellini and the screening of the restored version of E la nave va (And the Ship Sails On) that obviously have seen a long-long time ago. If you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for? By the way to my Opera lovers friends, this has to be must be seen for you.

Quinzaine

Three films. First Porfirio by Alejandro Landes that when I read the synopsis got interested but when I watched clips/trailer started to wonder if should watch or not. Spanish-speaking press news report an audience standing ovation and yes, I imagine will be funny and maybe darkly entertaining, even agree that has to be hyper-realistic but hard to imagine being “poetic” as Fréderic Boyer says.

Second, La Fin du Silence by Roland Edzard that has a too violent for me story but seems that visually could be very interesting. First film in competition for the Camera d’Or. Lol! First reactions by French press are not positive.

Last, Return by Liza Johnson this American indie movie has a story that I know will appeal to many, a woman returning from a tour of duty only to find that she has changed; I’m not sure if I wish to watch it and clips doesn’t help me to get interested. Not so positive reviews by some American critics. Ah! film is with Linda Cardellini better known by playing perhaps the most famous nurse in ER.

Semaine

Today two films from the special screenings. Walk Away Renee by Jonathan Caouette a documentary that follows the director and his mentally ill mother while travelling across America. Doesn’t call my attention. Surprisingly seems America press haven’t seen the film, while French press tends to give some positive and not-so-positve coments. Still what you can watch if interested are many photos from the film party.

Second the collaboration between Spike Jonze and Simon Cahn Mourir auprès de toi, an animated short film where at night books characters come to life with Dracula's girlfriend Mina and Macbeth's skeleton falling in love. Seems interesting and animation looks different, will watch. Positive comments by French press and people who have seen the film.

ACID

Yesterday I forgot to post about this parallel section but film was a documentary that I’m not interested in it called Palazzo delle Aquile by Stefano Savona. Today another documentary that no one will make watch called Bobines (Cattle) by Emmanuel Gras, as not interested in watching cows. Also today a short film, Dancing Odeon by Kathy Sebbah that seems more interesting to watch.

News

Emir Kusturica was today invested with the insignia of Chevalier of the Order of the Légion d’honneur an honor that Kusturica thanked the Festival “for being the only world class forum that allows small countries to acquire international visibility, and for its deference of cultural diversity”. Kusturica is not only this year the president of the Un Certain Regard jury but also is one of the rare directors to have received the Palme d’Or twice.

The Not-So Serious

Was reading a tweet that really made me wonder so many things; it says something like “drinking pink champagne, relaxing before writing my reviews”. LOL! I will NEVER read reviews from someone that drinks pink champagne, sacrilege! (LOL!) Oh! gosh, if you want to laugh hard, you have to search #Cannes2011 to find the most hilarious comments and other comments that tell so much about the person who wrote them. Really in twitter you lose your privacy and become public … some without really knowing that they’re in the eyes of the world. LOL!

All right, I will admit that I’m tired as Johnny took all my energies and enthusiasm. So no more talking about parties (even do Duran Duran performed yesterday), buyers buying films (Weinstein got USA right for The Artist- IFC, Assayas Something in the Air – Hanover House bought 3 movies: Mexican much buzz film by Ira Gomez Asalto al Cine, a Russian thriller by an Irish director: The Weather Station, and an animated film: Toys in the Attic), and who else is there doing something or nothing.

Today Photos

I think Uma looks tired and is just day 4, but last night was honored along with Rosario Dawson, Jane Campion and others for their contributions to independent moviemaking; gosh hope she makes it until the end. So I chose a happy photo for today, here is a happy Uma in haute couture, yes is Chanel.

Next South African model Candice Boucher in the Hearat Shulayim premiere, she’s in Cannes promoting the Hindi film Aazaan by Prashant Chadha where she stars and she looks quite good in the film photocall but at the premiere her dress made her the talk of the net, so here is she at day and at night.

Last, have to post Jane Fonda as she looks so good and very elegant.

23rd European Film Awards Nominations

At the Seville European Film Festival the European Film Academy announced the nominations for the European Film Awards and here are the much awaited nominations.

Best European Film
Bal (Honey), Semih Kaplanoğlu, Turkey and Germany
Des Hommes et Des Dieux (Of Gods and Men), Xavier Beauvois, France
The Ghost Writer, Roman Polanski, France, Germany and UK
Lebanon, Samuel Maoz, Israel, Germany and UK
El Secreto de sus Ojos (The Secret in their Eyes), Juan José Campanella, Spain and Argentina
Soul Kitchen, Fatih Akin, Germany

European Director
Olivier Assayas for Carlos
Semih Kaplanoğlu for Bal (Honey)
Samuel Maoz for Lebanon
Roman Polanski for The Ghost Writer
Paolo Virzi for La Prima Cosa Bella (The First Beautiful Thing)

European Actress
Zrinka Cvitešić in Na Putu (On the Path)
Sibel Kekilli in Die Fremde (When We Leave)
Lesley Manville in Another Year
Sylvie Testud in Lourdes
Lotte Verbeek in Nothing Personal

European Actor
Jakob Cedergren in Submarino
Elio Germano in La Nostra Vita (Our Life)
Ewan McGregor in The Ghost Writer
George Pistereanu in Eu Cand Vreau sa Fluier, Fluier (If I Want to Whistle,
I Whistle)
Luis Tosar in Celda 211 (Cell 211)

European Cinematographer
Giora Bejach for Lebanon
Caroline Champetier for Des Hommes et Des Dieux (Of Gods and Men)
Pavel Kostomarov for Как я провел этим летом (How I Ended this Summer)
Barış Özbiçer for Bal (Honey)

European Screenwriter
Jorge Guerricaechevarría and Daniel Monzón for Celda 211 (Cell 211)
Robert Harris and Roman Polanski for The Ghost Writer
Samuel Maoz for Lebanon
Radu Mihaileanu for Le Concert (The Concert)

European Composer
Ales Brezina for Kawasakiho Ruze (Kawasaki’s Rose)
Pasquale Catalano for Mine Vaganti (Loose Cannons)
Alexandre Desplat for The Ghost Writer
Gary Yershon for Another Year

European Editor
Luc Barnier and Marion Monnier for Carlos
Arik Lahav-Leibovich for Lebanon
Hervé de Luze for The Ghost Writer

European Production Designer
Paola Bizzarri and Luis Ramirez for Io, Don Giiovanni (I, Don Giovanni)
Albrecht Konrad for The Ghost Writer
Markku Pätilä and Jaagup Roomet for Püha Tõnu kiusamine (The Temptation
of St. Tony)

To check the official announcement at the Academy site go here  and if you wish you can also go to the Awards site that’s here.

The awards ceremony will be in Tallinn, Estonia and we will be able to watch the live stream here on December 4th, 2010.

The more than 2,300 EFA members will be busy during almost one month voting for the winners and have to admit that I’m not pleased with some of the nominees, especially all the nominations The Ghost Writer got as I did find the movie with a style that is more American than European –but what do I know! (lol!). Somehow I find interesting that the Oscar Winner El Secreto de sus Ojos is nominated as best film, but the director is not; as a matter of fact only two nominated directors have their films nominated as best film and I hope one of the two win both awards -or at least one- as Lebanon is truly outstanding and obviously Bal has to be as good, if not superior, to the two previous Semih Kaplanoğlu’s trilogy films.

I have seen Fatih Akin’s Soul Kitchen and didn’t enjoyed much as it’s really different from his other movies, which does not make it bad or good, just enormously different oeuvre from one of my true favorite contemporary directors. Last, yes looking forward to watch Xavier Beauvois’s much honored film.

I’m amazed that Die Fredme was not nominated as best picture, still I know that has a nomination for best first time director, but film is so good that was hoping will also make it in both categories. So I’m looking forward to see what the EFA’s members will declare as the Best Film of 2010, a year that I consider to be excellent for European productions as in the long list there are too many good films that didn’t got a nomination but definitively seem (and are) extraordinary.

With many female directors in the long list I’m appalled that NONE got a nomination! Gosh the European glass ceiling was not broken this year and Feo Adalag’s honored film or Jessica Hausner’s excellent Lourdes –to name two- will continue to collect honors elsewhere as Academy members didn’t believe deserved a nomination. Sigh.

One category that always calls my attention beyond normal is the Best Actress and this year there are some outstanding performances I have seen and some that still have to watch. But from the ones I have seen my award absolutely goes to Lotte Verbeek in mesmerizing, beautiful and out-of-the-ordinary Nothing Personal. Haven’t seen most of the Best Actor films but soon will watch Submarino and I’m REALLY looking forward to watch the Romanian film that some critics’ and viewers are relating to A Prophet, not that I need the film to be compared/related to such a great film as most of you know my true love and fascination with contemporary Romanian cinema.

Last, let me comment about Cinematography. How I Ended this Summer has a breath taken cinematography, but Lebanon has such an innovative, different, and with very-successful use of this tech spec that I hope gets the award. Don’t doubt that Bal has to be as good as the two previous installments or that the French film will be good, but if innovation counts Lebanon will win in this category as well as in editing.

We will have to wait almost a month to learn what Academy members vote as the best in each category and I will be watching live for sure as this is year the race is interesting.

Last just want to remind those that live in European countries to NOT forget to vote for the People’s Choice Awards here.

Cheers!!!

23rd European Film Awards - Long List

Yesterday the European Film Academy (EFA) announced the titles of the forty-six (46) films on this year's selection list with films recommended for a nomination for the European Films Awards 2010. There are 32 countries represented and in the coming weeks the 2,300 Academy members will vote to define the nominees in the different categories.

As always the nominations will be announced on November 6th at the Sevilla European Film Festival in Spain and the awards ceremony this year will take place in Tallinn, Estonia on December 4th.

This is the selection.

3 SEZÓNY V PEKLE (3 SEASONS IN HELL), Tomáš Mašin, Czech Republic
ANOTHER YEAR, Mike Leigh, UK,
BAL (HONEY), Semih Kaplanoğlu, Turkey and Germany
CARLOS, Olivier Assayas, France and Germany
CELDA 211 (CELL 211), Daniel Monzón, Spain and France
LE CONCERT (THE CONCERT), Radu Mihaileanu, France
DES HOMMES ET DES DIEUX (OF GODS AND MEN), Xavier Beauvois, France
EU CAND VREAU SA FLUIER, FLUIER (IF I WANT TO WHISTLE, I WHISTLE), Florin Serban, Romania
FILM SOCIALISME (FILM SOCIALISM), Jean-Luc Godard Switzerland
DIE FREMDE (WHEN WE LEAVE), Feo Aladag, Germany, 119 min.
THE GHOST WRITER ,Roman Polanski, France, Germany and UK
GIULIAS VERSCHWINDEN (JULIA’S DISAPPEARANCE), Christoph Schaub, Switzerland
HONEYMOONS, Goran Paskaljevic,Serbia and Albania
I0, DON GIOVANNI (I, DON GIOVANNI), Carlos Saura, Austria, Italy and Spain
Как я провел этим летом -KAK YA PROVEL ETIM LETOM (HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER), Alexei Popogrebsky, Russia
KAWASAKIHO RŮŽE (KAWASAKI’S ROSE), Jan Hřebejk, Czech Republic
KENJAC (DONKEY), Antonio Nuić, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, and UK
LEBANON, Samuel Maoz, Israel
LOURDES, Jessica Hausner,, Austria, France, and Germany
MAMMA GÓGÓ , Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, Iceland
MINE VAGANTI (LOOSE CANNONS), Ferzan Ozpetek, Italy
MY QUEEN KARO, Dorothée van den Berghe, Belgium and the Netherlands
NA PUTU (ON THE PATH), Jasmila Žbanić, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Austria, Germany, and Croatia
LA NOSTRA VITA (OUR LIFE), Daniele Luchetti, Italy, 98 min.
NOTHING PERSONAL, Urszula Antoniak, Netherlands and Ireland
NOWHERE BOY, Sam Taylor-Wood, UK, 98 min.
ONDINE, Neil Jordan, Ireland
PAHA PERHE (BAD FAMILY), Aleksi Salmenperä, Finland
PÁL ADRIENN (ADRIENN PÁL), Ágnes Kocsis, Hungary
LA PRIMA COSA BELLA (THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING), Paolo Virzi, Italy
PÜHA TÕNU KIUSAMINE (THE TEMPTATION OF ST.TONY), Veiko Õunpuu, Estonia
DER RÄUBER (THE ROBBER), Benjamin Heisenberg, Austria and Germany
REWERS (THE REVERSE), Borys Lankosz Poland
Cчастье моё -SCHASTYE MOYE (MY JOY), Sergei Loznitsa, Germany, Ukraine, and Netherlands
SEBBE, Babak Najafi, Sweden
EL SECRETO DE SUS OJOS (THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES), Juan José Campanella, Spain and Argentina
SLOVENKA (SLOVENIAN GIRL), Damjan Kozole, Slovenia
SOUL KITCHEN, Fatih Akin, Germany
SUBMARINO, Thomas Vinterberg, Denmark
TAMARA DREWE, Stephen Frears, UK
TESSERA MAVRA KOUSTOUMIA (4 BLACK SUITS), Renos Haralambidis, Greece
TOURNEE (ON TOUR), Mathieu Amalric, France
L’UOMO CHE VERRÀ (THE MAN WHO WILL COME), Giorgio Diritti, Italy
UPPERDOG, Sara Johnsen, Norway
DE VLIEGENIERSTER VAN KAZBEK (THE AVIATRIX OF KAZBEK), Ineke Smits, Netherlands and Georgia
ZAD KADAR (VOICE OVER), Svetoslav Ovcharov, Bulgaria

To check the list at the EFA official site go here and/or here that's the European Film Awards official site.

To my HUGE surprise the famous Swedish film is not in the list, but as you noticed in the previous post was selected for the People's Choice Award. Believe that somehow I understand why is not in this list as the movie is not as good as the amazing Noomi Rapace performance. What I regret the most is that she can't be nominated for Best Actress, but maybe a kind of 'miracle' could happen and she will be nominated (not really a miracle, she's in the other awards).

As we already know some of the European countries submission to the 2011 Oscar calls my attention that what the EFA recommended and what was submitted does not match for some countries. Interesting as criteria for selection has to be influenced by what everybody believes are the USA Academy members tastes. After all American cinema and European cinema are VERY different and you have no idea how glad I am.

Sooner that we imagine the Seville fest will open and we will learn the nominations.

Cheers!!!