#Cannes2025 Wishlist: The Nordics

By now, the end of March, there are too many rumors about films that could be in this year edition of the most famous film festival in the world with quite a few adventuring to predict film by sections. My summary for all the buzz and fuzz is that not-so-soon-enough there will be a full cournocopia of great films for enjoyment of those that truly like good cinema as seems there are films by outstanding established directors as well from those who debut with a lot of noise and expectations.

As promised will do a more in-depth list with directors and their films I find interesting and hope will fulfill its promise when finally I'm able to watch them. This time will go into regions and will start with a region that is producing the most fascinating, engaging and visually astounding long-form films, otherwise called TV series (lol), the Nordics.

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Reprise

This Joachim Trier debut film is extremely well done in all and every sense a film has to be, but I believe that the way the film was constructed makes what superficially can be seen as a simple story become complex and very interesting. You end up with your eyes glued to the screen to see what comes next as you really have no idea and you really want to know.

Co written by Trier (yes, he’s a distant cousin of Lars von Trier) the film tells the story of two twenty-something young men, friends since childhood, that have literary ambitions and have to deal with success, failure, love, illness, frienship and in one word, life. See, it seems very simple, isn’t? Well it is not.

This is a true cerebral movie that makes you think about what you see in the screen that are many important life things as what psychosis can really be, what I’m doing with someone or many people to whom I do not really relate, how can I overcome a failure, why everybody says something and does something else, why people fall in love, etc. etc. But what is truly outstanding is that everything happens in a drama with very refined darkish humor that makes all very easy to digest and well, yes to enjoy!

Trier constructed the film with voiceovers, flashbacks (some imaginary “what-if” segments, some real and some it’s up to you to decide), astonishing editing, a palette of mainly grays/blues, eclectic music, slow pace/faster pace, great cold cinematography that gets warmer when in Paris, and ends up with a final product that is truly amazing to watch.

Excellent performances by Anders Danielsen Lie (Phillip), Espen Klouman-Høiner (Erik) and beautiful/exotic Viktoria Winge (Kari) that I honestly wished she had more time in the screen.

Some critics compare this film with Truffaut’s Jules and Jim, somehow for the story (they are quite different) but mainly for the style (maybe) and one even claim that the name of the movie suggests the reprise of Truffaut classic. I have been thinking about the name in relation to what I saw in the movie and I’m having a hard time figuring out. So, perhaps the critic is right and it was a reprise of the French director movie or maybe it was just a name. One thing I’m absolutely sure, this is a movie that you have to see several times to grasp everything that shows and says and believe me I will watch it again as I know it will be a full pleasurable experience.

Only after you seen the movie I suggest you check the Director’s note at the movie site, as what he says is remarkable and I absolutely believe that he accomplished everything he wanted to do. The movie site is here.

The movie was widely honored with 12 wins and 4 nominations including Best Direction, Best Film and Best Screenplay at the 2007 Amanda Awards, Best Director and Don Quijote Award at 2006 Karlovy Vary fest, MovieZone Award at the 2007 Rotterdam fest and the Discovery Award at 2006 Toronto fest.

This is one the few movies where you will find a director and writers saying so many things in almost two hours and absolutely staying in total coherence; as you know when you try to say too many things you almost always fail to say one thing clear, but this is totally the exception to that rule that calls to be focus. Great!

Not for all audiences, you have to like European cold countries cinema with a little touch of French cinema and a very extraordinary and unique cinematic style. I strongly suggest to watch this movie with friends, as you will feel the need to talk about everything you saw with others.

Enjoy!!!

2015 Cannes Check #9 - The Europeans

Already talked about French and Italian directors but there are three more that complete the European invasion to 2015 Cannes main competition as out of 19 films, 11 are by European directors. The last European directors come from Norway, Greece and Hungary. The three are newbies to Cannes main competition with one achieving what not many have done, having his debut feature film competing for the top award in the festival world.

Joachim Trier

His debut feature film, Reprise, absolutely blew my mind with a very strong narrative-oriented style that developed into more quiet narrative in his second feature film, also mind blowing Oslo, 31. august. This is one director that I follow and all his films are must be seen for me.

Born in 1974 Copenhagen, Denmark but grew up in Norway in a filmmaking family. Yes, he is a distant relative of Lars von Trier. After attending the European Film College in Denmark, he trained at the British National Film and Television School, where he made several award winning short films. His debut feature film, Reprise gave him the Best Director award at 2006 Karlovy Vary and many more international honors; his second feature film, Oslo, August 31 opens in 2011 Cannes Un Certain Regard and also gave him multiple honors. Last year he was a member of the Cinéfondation & Short films jury. This time will be his third time in Cannes and the 1st time in competition.

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75th Festival de Cannes Award Winners

Even before yesterday's Semaine de la Critique award winners announcement there were quite a few award winners announcements; so, today Thursday, May 26 decided to start this post that will be in progress until Saturday when the festival awards ceremony will take place. Unfortunately with the change from Canal+ to FranceTV it's not possible to watch live the ceremony, as happened with the opening ceremony; unless, someone decides to "open" live stream to the whole world of cinephiles that enjoy watching live the winners. Anyway social media will also allow to learn winnes as they are announced, sigh.

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50th San Francisco International Film Festival

Events continue to happen frequently in cinema and tonight is the SFiFF opening night with the screening of Nuovomondo (Golden Door). There will be a screening of around 124+ films, documentary and shorts from allover the world.

In the new directors section that includes "first- and second-time directors emerging on the international scene" there are 11 films in competition for the Skyy Prize.

Along The Ridge (Anche Libero Va Bene), Italy, Kim Rossi Stuart
Bunny Chow, South Africa, John Barker
The Heavenly Kings (Sei Dai Tin Wong), Hong Kong, Daniel Wu
How Is Your Fish Today? (Jin Tian De Yu Zen Me Yang?), China/UK, Xiaolu Guo
Reprise, Norway, Joachim Trier
Rome Rather Than You (Roma Wa La N’Touma), Algeria/France/Germany, Tariq Teguia
7 Years (7 Ans), France, Jean-Pascal Hatu
The Silly Age (La Edad de la Peseta), Cuba/Spain/Venezuela, Pavel Giroud
The Violin (El Violín), Mexico, Francisco Vargas
The Yacoubian Building (Omaret Yacoubian), Egypt, Marwan Hamed
Zolykha’s Secret, Afghanistan, Horace Ahmad Shansab

In the same section there are 21 out of competition films and among them there is one movie that I have been waiting to see Claire Simon’s Ca Brûle (On Fire) … lucky those of you that live in SF!

In the World Cinema section that includes “acclaimed International directors with unique visions” we find 21 films, including Il Caimano, Lady Chatterley, and Cœurs, among others.

In the closing night they will show La Vie en Rose (La Môme) and the Centerpiece is Delirious.

If you want to browse the SFiFF site go here. You will find excellent and complete information for each film in the info section, then check downloads.

26th L'ACID Selection

The ACID program at the Cannes International Film Festival was created in 1993. Films are chosen by fifteen or so filmmakers, members of the association. It screens nine feature films, fiction and documentary, chosen among hundreds of works from all around the world.

ACID filmmakers follow their love for a film and wish to give visibility to directors whose work is scarcely distributed, in order to facilitate a theatrical release.

The screenings, open to professionals and also to the public are all followed by Q&As with the films' crews and ACID filmmakers who supported the films.

The films shown in Cannes are then accompanied by ACID and its filmmakers in the various stages of the theatrical release (search for distributors / promotion / programming / organization of the Q&A's / audience research).

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Day 12 Cannes News

After 12 days we have reached the end. Today a ‘flat’ festival closes after Thierry Fremaux remarkable remark that I didn’t want to pay much attention. Since the press conference the world knew that this was going to be a “difficult” festival. Yes Fremaux warned us, but I was hoping he was just being ‘political’; unfortunately he was being honest. Definitively not the best year for this festival and much less if we recall last year outstanding films that made it up to USA most prestigious award. I believe that this year’s winners will not make it that far. Still, I really hope I’m totally wrong. It’s still very hard to accept that there were no outstanding films in the fest and still want to believe than when watching some of them I will dismiss all this nonsense and will praise the festival.

Today @ Cannes

Official Competition: Today there is a reprise screening of all in-competition films and after the award ceremony the screening of the closing film, The Tree by Julie Bertuccelli.

Around 8pm local time is the closing ceremony that I’m sure will not be able to watch live (still Canal+ has the clock running, but this time I wont fall for it-besides I know that’s wrong time), but I’ll try to follow live the results.

Serious Notes

The festival highlight for me was not a particular film but learning and reading about a director in prison. No, I’m not talking about Polanski, I’m talking about the invited jury member that couldn’t make it and at the opening ceremony we saw an empty chair. The film director that currently is in a hunger strike and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then perhaps you should remain in ignorance as I’m not going to tell you. That was and still is the festival highlight for me.

Buzz about winners

From France press reports
Local press predictions, Another Year is the winner, followed not so close by Biutiful.
International press predictions: Another Year winning, followed by Des Hommes et des Dieus.

Best Actor: Javier Bardem, but also strong Lambert Wilson in two films (La Princesse de Montpensier and Des homes et des dieux) and Mathieu Amalric. I really hope Bardem wins and so do many French and international critics.

Best Actress: Major contender is Yoon Jung-hee in Poetry, followed by Lesley Manville in Another Year; some claim that Juliette Binoche’s role is not strong even when performed excellent, and some are talking about an ensemble award for all women in Tournee –mainly because they were asked to return to Cannes today (so it’s possible).

French news from Canada
Palme: Des Hommes et des Dieux; Grand Prix: Another Year; Best Actor: Javier Bardem; Best Actress: tie Juliette Binoche and Yun Junghee; Director Im Sang-soo; Jury Award: Route Irish.

From English written news
Rumor from inside the jury says that no single film has impressed the judges, meaning that there could be spreading of wealth (I find this the most probable situation). Not surprised if top award goes to Poetry. Best film is not in competition, Carlos.

“Most “cinephiles” would like Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s winning something major”. (Really?)

“Most experts say is one of the most wide-open races for the Cannes to prize in years” (True.) and contenders are: Poetry, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall Past Lives, Another Year and Biutiful.

So, what do I think? I really haven’t got a clue!!! And it’s an eclectic jury. But if I was judging videos/clips/trailers my Palm should go to Uncle Boome new story and/or My Joy; best actor: Javier and Best Actress: Juliette (but I’m totally biased! –lol). Can’t guess any of the other major awards from clips, so I won’t go there.

Not so Serious Notes

Never in my whole life read so much gossip about Cannes jury members. The most outrageous is about Tim Burton not being able to head the jury and the jury from India taking over! Gee, imagine if it’s real… I can’t.

Well, this is it for today and for the last festival post about news, videos, photos and gossip about Cannes.

Sincerely hope that what Thierry Freamaux is telling lately is true: 2011 lineup is going to be really strong!

Latest News (or gossip): These people have been called back to Cannes for tonight's closing ceremony: Javier Bardem, Juliette Binoche, Lee Chang-dong, Mathieu Amalric, Mahamat Saleh Haroun, and the 'team' of Des Hommes et des Dieux... hmm. Haven't left Cannes, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the 'team' of Hors la loi, Nikita Mikhalkov, Kornel Mundruzco. The rest are NOT in Cannes... and if they win something simply will not accept in person (which hardly happens in a festival, much less in Cannes).

Seems the press boycott is over (lol!) as The Associated Press is releasing dispatches... Reuters, not yet (but saw one or two during the fest)

26th International Istanbul Film Festival

Another thing happening was the closing of this festival and Ilklimer (Climates) won the Best Turkish Film of the Year and the Radikal Newspaper People's Choice award!

In the International competition, the Golden Tulip was awarded to Norway Joachim Trier's Reprise and the Special Prize of The Jury was awarded to USA Tom DiCillo's Delirious.

Want to learn more? Go here.

Suddenly there are way too many movies to watch!!

2012 Winter Movie Bits

Here are some bits about movies that didn’t touch me enough, at least enough to write something about them.

This Must Be The Place. I have no clear idea of what was I expecting from this movie but Paolo Sorrentino credentials gave me expectations of an intense cinematic experience. Can’t say movie is bad as it’s not, much less that Sean Penn is bad as he gives an excellent performance but there is something that bothered me. I saw two styles, thus two movies; one I liked, happened in Europe, the other I didn’t, set in USA. Not as intense as I was hoping and wish film styles blended better; hope next Sorrentino film stays in Europe only. Enjoy! Italy, France and Ireland.

Drive. With all the awful marketing promotion I delayed watching as much as possible as imagined movie was going to be very violent. It is not and end up enjoying the story, the performances and fabulous Nicolas Winding Refn style. If you don’t care about violent movies do not skip this one as not only is not that violent but you will be missing a great movie with great actors’ performances and an acceptable story. Enjoy!!! USA.

Martha Marcy May Marlene. Actually I liked movie and as I said after watching if it wasn’t for them talking English I would have say that this is an European movie, maybe German, good German cinema and Elizabeth Olsen has a great performance, should have gotten an Oscar nod as she does world class acting. If you haven’t seen it, do not skip it worth watching no matter how story is. Enjoy!!! USA.

Young Adult. I believe I’m a Diablo Cody fan and really are looking forward to her directorial debut. In a nutshell this Jason Reitman film has outstanding –and very sharp- dialogues and an amazing performance by Charlize Theron, so good that the classic drunk scene made me feel very awkward, so much that had to “close” my ears and really close my eyes. Do not skip this movie as is a fantastic movie about those really dysfunctional individuals that never grow up. Enjoy!!! USA.

The Iron Lady. Meryl Streep does an outstanding performance that in my opinion does not save the movie that should have been more a made for TV movie, unlike the famous The Queen. I really HATED the story as was a not-kind and very unpleasant to watch portrait of a famous woman. There was NO need to tell the story from this point-of-view even when intention was to humanize Mrs. Thatcher. Can you think about an alive male statesman that was an object of a “humanizing” portrait such as this one? I can’t. Anyway even when Streep deserves Oscar I wish the American Academy wouldn’t celebrate her greatness in such a poor movie. Sigh. UK and France.

J. Edgar. Talking about humanizing famous man this Clint Eastwood film does that with perhaps one of the must “larger-than-life” American infamous law iconic figure and in this sense Eastwood absolutely succeeds as Hoover is seen more like a person than a not-so-positive legend. But film has something that makes the end product not outstanding and not relatable. I believe is the screenplay and yes, performances, the later is hard for me say as I believe Eastwood is a master filmmaker, but I know that once in a while he does movies that leave me wondering why he did them and these films have big stars as leads –remember Angelina Jolie movie? Anyway, watch it without expectations and maybe you will learn that Hoover actually did something good. Enjoy. USA

A Dangerous Method. Complex movie, too much psychoanalysis (as it should be) not much entertaining as is very brainy, thus “dry”; but then what was there to expect from a movie about the founders of modern psychology? (lol!) Indeed most of what I heard already knew and had to pay to learn it! Didn’t enjoy much actors’ performances especially Keira Knightley was not good and at times very unpleasant to watch. Watch at your own risk. Enjoy. Canada, UK, Germany, and Switzerland.

Octubre (October). Been waiting a long time to watch this Vega brothers film and no, I was not really impressed with their much praised film. Peruvian cinema has so much evolved and leaped into the international arena that I was hoping for a world class cinema experience. It was not. Movie has more the regular Latin American style and well, has an entertaining story good enough for an entertainment escape moment. Watch at your own risk. Enjoy. Peru.

Un Cuento Chino (Chinese Take-Away). What do you think of a story that starts with a cow falling from the sky into a small boat and killing the woman that was about to get a marriage proposal? That’s exactly how this sometimes comedy sometimes drama starts plus sets the tone and manner to everything that follows. Is an entertaining movie quite well done with the always outstanding and reliable performance by Ricardo Darin. Enjoy!! Argentina and Spain.

Violeta se fue a los Cielos (Violeta Went to Heaven). For me Violeta Parra is an icon and watching her bio was not easy as tells –and made me recall- about turbulent times in the Latin American region not only Chile. Still, I believe Andres Wood does a good job as she was portrayed as what –everyone says- she was, a not pleasant woman. I like her songs and this movie will not change that, but maybe I liked better the idea I had of her in my head than the one portrayed here. Watch at your own risk, especially if you know who Violeta Parra is and her outstanding poetry in her lyrics. Enjoy. Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

Apflickorna (She Monkeys). Lisa Aschan much honored debut film is a very interesting essay on very young and young women –or should I say children?- behavior as story is strong and yes, not easy to watch. But what makes film quite outstanding is Aschan magnificent visual and narrative storytelling style. Looking forward to her next film and suggest you do not skip this movie, but be prepared as story is not light. Yes has some lesbian interest but in my opinion film transcends the label both because story as because the superb filmmaking style, so wider audiences should be able to enjoy this very European movie. Enjoy!!! Sweden. Lesbian interest.

Poulet aux Prunes (Chicken with Plums). After Persepolis I was really hoping for an outstanding story and was looking forward to see how directors move from animation into live filmmaking; then Mathieu Amalric is a very special performer that either you love him in a particular role or you don’t. Here Amalric is the don’t-like kind and live film does not reach the same great levels of their animation film. For me story is not that interesting –at least as much as was Persepolis- even when I recognize that’s magical. Some say is a very French movie, I don’t agree, film does not look or feel French or European at all. But I hope next film by Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi regains the magic that Persepolis had. Enjoy! France, Germany and Belgium.

La Source des Femmes (The Source). I was really looking forward to watch this Radu Mihaileanu film with a story that revolves around women. I really like Leïla Bekhti performances as well as excellent Hiam Abbass and good Hafsia Herzi; can’t complain as it was good watching them here but didn’t enjoy much the story as I believe is one I have seen before told in many more compelling ways. Still, visually this film is a true beauty that will feast your eyes. Enjoy! Belgium, Italy and France.

Les Géants. Bouli Lanners films are not easy to watch for me as was unable to watch Eldorado, but wanted to try to watch this Cannes honored movie. I couldn’t, had to stop watching as was feeling physical sick and very uncomfortable. A story of three kids that never imagined could be portrayed so not easy to watch for the most non-sense simple situations. Watch at your own risk. Sigh. Belgium.

Polisse. Not sure what was going to watch here as Maïwenn movies are always not very easy to watch or enjoy. Well, definitively this one has not her usual style and style becomes maybe more commercial as film looks and feels like mainstream cinema –and could extend it to being like a movie made for the small screen. Still film tells a compelling story about children and actors give very good performances, which makes film worth watching. Do not skip it, even if you don’t particularly like French cinema, you will enjoy this movie. Enjoy!! France.

Les Femmes du 6e étage (The Women on the 6th Floor). Watched because Carmen Maura got a Cesar nomination –which she won- but I’m no fan of French comedies as no, I don’t particularly enjoy their humor. Still film is a lot more a drama than a comedy and was a true pleasure to watch Fabrice Luchini performance. Movie is quite watchable and yes I do recommend it for an escape moment, French style of course. Enjoy!! France.

وهلّأ لوين؟ Wo Hallah La Wen? (Where Do We Go Now?) Nadine Labaki mesmerizes me as an actress and most of all as a director. I really LOVED Sukkar Banat (Caramel) so can deny that had HUGE expectations for her next movie. In my opinion her second movie is VERY different to her first and yes, I did enjoy a lot more her first than her second. Story here is very relevant plus her visual and narrative filmmaking style are interesting, but I have seen this story told before in more compelling and emotional ways. Still it was a true pleasure to watch Nadine Labaki in the screen, which makes movie worth watching. I’m really looking forward to her third movie that hope has a more universal story developed with her particular style. Enjoy. France, Lebanon, Egypt, and Italy.

Café de Flore. A very pretentious movie by Jean-Marc Vallée that many say is about love, me I say is an anatomy of a separation told by mirrored stories that happen in the past (Paris) and the present (Montreal) but thanks to pretentious editing –yes editing is what makes this film pretentious- time is senseless crisscrossed, rewind, and forwarded. Better editing could have made mirrored stories more flawlessly intertwined and movie more enjoyable. I really enjoyed Hélène Florent performance and believe she stole the movie. If you don’t mind to watch a movie that moves (too much) in time to tell a story that somehow is predictable (was for me) and journey is not that enjoyable, then watch this film for the love story that many people see in it. Enjoy. Canada and France.

Oslo, 31. August (Oslo, August 31st). Loved Reprise and yes had expectations. Second Joachim Trier film has the same great filmmaking style as his first film but tells a simple story that with his style becomes quite disturbing. So much disturbing that yes, I do suggest you avoid this film as you could get really depressed by Trier’s interpretation of Pierre Drieu La Rochelle’s 1931 Le Feu Follet. Here is not an alcoholic but a drug addict, yet drama is SO well developed that will hurt you inside –where hurts more. Okay, is a very good movie, but find a good state of mind to watch it or you will get very depressed. Enjoy! Norway.

The Artist. Just realized that I didn’t wrote about this movie that in my opinion glorifies Hollywood cinema like no American film has ever done, so it’s no surprise that film became a favorite of critics and the American industry. I enjoyed movie, it was entertaining but as I mentioned elsewhere, if I wanted to honor American silent cinema I could watch so many good films with many excellent silent actors that this film will absolutely pale in the comparison. Obviously film doesn’t look or feel like French cinema and wonder if the honor of being the most honored French movie of all times really celebrates this cinema and not the American one. Watch movie just because won Oscar and if you have to watch all Oscar wining movies. Enjoy! France and Belgium.

I’m sure I forgot many more movies but this is it for today.

Cheers.

Day 10 at Cannes 2011

As you’ll notice the feeling that Cannes is fading away is not just a feeling as not only sections are announcing their awards, but also there are fewer films to watch.

Main Competition

Paolo Sorrentino became a must be seen director for me since I saw his amazing movie Il Divo and I’m looking forward to see This Must Be The Place as I believe his casting choice is extraordinary for a first film in the English language, the story is intriguing and with his style film has to be sensational. I hope I’m right. First comments tend to be positive.

Photocall with Sean, Judd Hirsh, and others I’m not really familiar with but photographer’s call for Sean and Paolo. Interview only Sean and Paolo. Very interesting short interview. Press conference. When they meet Sean said Any time, Any Where, Any Script… he got the script and said yes… all this because Sean saw Il Divo at Cannes… moderator said “that’s strange” yes and stranger if is Sean Penn but I definitively agree, Sorrentino is a very special director. A very inappropriate question to Sean about Scarlett. Unfortunately question to Sorrentino about story, volume goes to off. “stunning images” (I knew it). Nice. Red carpet has cast and crew, all videos are okay, short and serious. Oops! Just learned that the young woman is Bono’s daughter.

After what I learned about movie today, have to add Sean Penn to my Best Actor guess, he’s a contender.

From trailers and synopsis I don’t think will watch Drive by Nicolas Winding Refn as movie story surely will not be pleasant for me; but you can never say with a Cannes Official Selection film as always end up watching all.

Out of Competition

Two films. First, In Film Nist (This is Not A Film) by Jafar Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmab and narrates their waiting for the verdict of the Court of Appeal, thus giving a snapshot of the situation faced by Iranian cinema.

As part of the tribute to Tunisia, the documentary La Khaoufa Baada Al’yaoum (No More Fear) by Mourad Ben Cheick, is a first film and competes for the Camera d’Or. Film is a testimonial of the director’s engagement in the struggle for freedom in his country.

Un Certain Regard

The only new film is Okhotnik (The Hunter) by Bakur Bakuradze as the other screenings are the reprise of The Murderer and Oslo, 31 August. Yes, I’m interested in watching Bakuradze’s second film and still waiting to be able to watch his first.

Cannes Classics

Today the 1961 film L’Assassino (The Assassin) by Elio Petri and starring none other than dearest Marcello Mastroianni, don’t recall having watch this movie, but I do remember watching many Mastroianni’s films, so maybe I did. Still hope a DVD becomes available with the restored version.

Also today, the Cinema Masterclass by Malcom McDowell presented by Michel Ciment.

There is a surprise film screened tomorrow, so we will be checking to find what film was chosen.

Cinéfondation

Today screening of the last program and in late afternoon is the awards ceremony, so today another festival section closes. Program 4 screens the following short films: Cagey Tigers by Aramisova, A Viagem (The Trip) by Simão Cayatte, La Fiesta de Casamiento (The Wedding Party) by Gastón Margolin and Martín Morgenfeld, and Der Brief (The Letter) by Doroteya Droumeva.

Awards are already announced so will publish post before this one.

Quinzaine

Today is the screening of the three short programs and in the early night, the award ceremony plus the screening of the closing film Les Géants by Bouli Lanners –that probably will watch eventually. If you wish to check the fourteen (14) short films screened in this section please go here and browse down to Short Films.

The section already announced the award winners, will post before posting this one.

ACID

Today the last film, Black Blood by Miayan Zhang as tomorrow there will reprises of two films; I’m very curious about this Chinese/French production as story suggest that could be interesting plus visuals look fantastic.

The ACID Cannes program is also shown in the fall in Paris. In their schedule don’t have the date of their award ceremony which makes me wonder if they give any prizes; still will be checking to confirm.

News

Uma Thurman excused herself from the film festival today to attend a family funeral in Monaco; she will be back for the end of the competition as “she wishes to keep her commitments to the festival, despite the circumstances”.

As press says, most buyers have left Cannes as well as many newsmen but all over the net and in many languages media is talking about the huge success of Le Marché this year as many films found financing and as many found distributors for several or world markets. American companies did a lot of selling and buying, but many other nationalities did the same. Many of the films in the selection found buyers but BIG sales come from those that were promoted at Le Marché. Like an UK article says: Crisis, what crisis? This year Cannes showed no signs of crisis, not at Le Marché nor with the great Selection that is keeping us immersed into the Cannes world. What a difference a year makes.

Not-So-Serious News

Remember I told you about the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS event? Well the auction raised US$10 million dollars in a few hours; top bid was for the opportunity to play tennis with Prince Albert II of Monaco for which a bidder paid 500,000 euros; most interesting bid was the opportunity to walk the red carpet at next year Golden Globes with Uma Thurman. Watching events photos only to discover the many big name celebrities that attended the gala, but most impressive was to see Boy George!

Sorrentino’s film attracted many to the red carpet as I’m watching some nice photos of Gwen Stefani, Claudia Schiffer, always crazy Courtney Love, and if you wonder who the woman with Sean was, well is Roberta Armani.

Beautiful photos of Zhang Ziyi at the Majestic Hotel; have to find which movie she’s promoting.

Last, Marion Cotillard gave birth yesterday to Marcel, congratulations.

The Photo

Today only a photo of Isabelle Huppert at The Little Princess red carpet.

Day 11 Cannes News

Tomorrow the fest will be over… sigh.

Today @ Cannes

Official Competition: Not really excited to watch the second installment of Nikita Mikhalkov’s Burnt by the Sun 2 – The Exodus, but I know will watch when comes to DVD. More interesting A Frankenstein Terv by Kornel Mundruczo (remember Delta?) and definitively will watch Route Irish by Ken Loach. With these films the competition is over, tomorrow we will learn who won and reactions to the closing film that I’m curious about mostly because I enjoy Charlotte Gainsbourg performances, Julie Bertuccelli’s The Tree.

Un Certain Regard: Today this section of the Official Selection has the award ceremony around 8:00pm local time.

Short Films: Today the only two screenings of the nine (9) short films in competition.

Cinema de la Plage: Today 1956 Le Monde du Silence (The Silent World) by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Louis Malle

Quinzaine: Today reprise of Pied Nus Sur Les Limaces and Cleveland contre Wall Street. Later in the afternoon the few awards will be announced in this non-competitive section

Serious Notes

So what’s the buzz about the possible Palm d’Or winner?

According to French press:
1. Another Year, Mike Leigh
2. Of Gods and Men, Xavier Beauvois
3. Biutiful, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu
4. On Tour, Mathieu Amalric
5. Poetry, Lee Chang Dong

If you feel like watching UK’s Guardian Cannes roundup go here that’s more than the headline “Comfortably the worst competition that I can remember”. Panel gives their opinions of the (possibly) Palm d’Or winner.

This is new for me, the Cannes Independent Film Festival (not related to the official festival) that honors the best of (ultra) low-budget filmmaking. The winner this year is Lovelorn from UK (budget: Euros 200,000), best documentary Daddy I Do (budget: 20,000 Euros). Check the news here.

Not So Serious Notes

Maybe not all fashion designers should go behind cameras as this Karl Lagerfeld short film lacks many filmmaker skills, but if you’re into watching gorgeous model-alike women, how youth have fun at Saint-Tropez (not much different than many years ago when I had fun there, lol!) and excellent production values (even if they’re wasted in a showing a not interesting story) then watch the film here. The film was screened in Cannes at a Chanel soiree.

Well, according to Canal+ the longest applause at a Cannes premiere was for Biutiful with 8+ minutes; the best of the clip is watching Javier Bardem dancing and ending his quirky dance by kissing Penelope… (lol!).

No photo today as honestly couldn’t find one worth putting here. Sigh.

Finally a great Milla Jovovich photo from Cannes Burnt by the Sun 2 red carpet.

4th Seville Film Festival

Last November 2nd this festival started and will screen 150 movies from 33 countries. There are many new movies in this festival, too many to list them but I’ll list the ones participating in the competition sections.



Official Selection

A Londoni Férfi (The Man From London), Béla Tarr, Hungary, France and Germany
A Outra Margem (The Other Side), Luis Filipe Rocha, Portugal (Gay Interest)
Adama Meshuga (Sweet Mud), Dror Shaul, Israel, Germany, France, Japan
Aleksandra (Alexandra), Alexander Sokuv, Russia and France
Auf der Anderen Seite (The Edge of Heaven), Fatih Akin, Germany and Turkey (“dying” to see this one!)
Déjate Caer, Jesús Ponce, Spain
Du Levande (You, the Living), Roy Andersson, Sweden, Norway, Germany, France and Denmark
Gegenüber (Counterparts), Jan Bonny, Germany
Irina Palm, Sam Garbarski, Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg, UK and France
Iszka Utazása (Iska), Csaba Bollók, Hungary (interesting story!)
It’s a Free World, Ken Loach, UK, Italy, Germany, Spain
Izgnanie (The Banishment), Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia (have to see this one!)
La Fille Coupée en Deux (The Girl Cut in Two), Claude Chabrol, France (Chabrol have to see it)
La Masseria delle Allodole (The Lark Farm), Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain and France (starring Paz Vega!)
Mio Fratello é Figlio Unico (My Brother is an Only Child), Daniele Luchetti, Italy
Ne Touchez Pas La Hache, Jacques Rivette, France and Italy
Obsluhovai Jsem Anglického Krále (I Served the King of England), Jirí Menzel, Czech Republic and Slovenia
Ulzhan, Volker Schlöndorff, Germany, France and Kazakhstan

Europa_Europa

4 luni, 3 saptamini si 2 zile / 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007): Cristian Mungiu - Romania
Am Ende kommen Touristen / And Along Come Tourists (2007): Robert Thalheim - Germany
Andalucía (2007): Alain Gomis – Spain and France
Anna M. (2007): Michel Spinosa – France
Bikur Ha-Tizmoret / The Band's Visit (2007): Eran Kolirin - Israel, France
Boldog új elet / Happy New Life (2007): Árpád Bogdán - Hungary
Börn / Children (2006): Ragnar Bragason - Iceland
Bufor / Beaufort (2007): Joseph Cedar – Israel
Dagen zonder lief / With Friends Like These… (2007): Felix van Groeningen - Belgium
Den Nya Människan / The New Man (2007): Klaus Härö - Sweden
Der Blinde Fleck / Blind Spot (2007): Tom Zenker - Germany
Eduart (2007): Angeliki Antoniou - Greece, Germany
El silencio de las piedras (2006): Jesús Manuel Rubio - Spain
Farväl Falkenberg / Falkenberg Farewell (2006): Jesper Ganslandt - Sweden, Denmark
Ha-Buah / The Bubble (2006): Eytan Fox - Israel
Hotel Very Welcome (2007): Sonja Heiss - Germany
In memoria di me / In Memory of Myself (2007): Saverio Costanzo - Italy
J'ai toujours rêvé d'être un gangster / I Always Wanted to Be a Gangster (2007): Samuel Benchetrit - France
Kunsten at graede i kor / The Art of Crying (2007): Peter Schønau Fog - Denmark
La cena per farli conoscere / A Dinner for Them to Meet (2007): Pupi Avati - Italy
Lady Chatterley et l’homme de bois (2006): Pascale Ferran - Francia, Belgium
Le rose del deserto / Roses from the Desert (2006): Mario Monicelli - Italy
Meduzot / Jellyfish (2007): Etgar Keret & Shira Geffen - Israel, France
Miehen työ / Man's Job (2007): Aleksi Salmenperä - Finland
Mýrin / Jar City (2006): Baltasar Kormákur - Iceland
När mörkret faller / When Darkness Falls (2006): Anders Nilsson - Sweden, Germany
Obarnata Elha / Christmas Tree Upside Down (2006): Ivan Čerkelov, Vasil Živkov - Bulgaria
Ober / Walter (2006): Alex van Warmerdam - Netherlands
Plac Zbawiciela / Savior's Square (2006): Krzysztof Krauze, Joanna Kos - Poland
Reprise (2007): Joachim Traer - Norway
Strength & Honour (2006): Mark Mahon – Ireland
Tehilim (2006): Raphaël Nadjari - France, Israel
Yella (2007): Christian Petzold – Germany

Eurimages

Coeurs (Private Fears in Public Places), Alain Resnais, 2006, France and Italy
Dotcom Luis Galvão Teles, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, UK and Brazil
Klopka (The Trap), Srdan Golubovic, Serbia, Montenegro, Germany and Hungary
Madonnen (Madonnas), Maria Speth, Germany, Belgium and Czech Republic
Nadzieja (Hope), Stanislaw Mucha, Poland and Germany
Opium - Egy elmebeteg nö naplója (Opium - Diary of a Madwoman), János Szász, Hungary and Germany
Takva (Takva - A Man's Fear of God), Özer Kiziltan, 2006, Germany
Yumurta (Egg), Semih Kaplanoglu, Turkey and Greece

There will be an homage to Michelangelo Antonioni and Ingmar Bergman and will screen L’Avventura, Al di lá delle Nuvole and Saraband.

To check the fest site go here.

Day 7 at Cannes 2011

No, I don’t write the post in order. I write about each film as I see the videos and news appear. Today is an unusual long day because watched ALL videos as found them interesting and as you will see, a few extremely funny. It’s a great day in Cannes.

Main Competition

From Nordic cinema one of directors I always enjoy because his particular style is Aki Kaurismäki and I’m looking forward to Le Havre, another French-speaking film that I’m afraid will be less ironic than what he usually do, but I’m curious about how he was able to transfer, mix or reinvent (?) his style in a French environment and story or if was similar to La vie bohème. Obviously film is must be seen for me and one where the wait will be unbearable. Oh! first comments are very positive.

Photocall starts with Aki and his cigarette, seems is an electric cigarette (lol!), nope is not (lol!) Gosh “Aki pour aqui” (lol!). Photocall is really odd with the director behavior but also for watching cast and him… plus “the finger” (lol!), Aki got red face. Interview starts with a question to Aki and his answer was fabulous but thinks no one got it; gosh he really has the same humor that he shows in his films. Magnifique! Besides his face constantly gets red –from laughing inside as he says such things with a deadpan face that becomes quite funny! He’s impossible to take seriously, great personality. While others talk seriously you wish questions went back to Aki. Aki telling a Kafka story… oh! gosh! LOL! This is exactly my kind of personality! Gee now have to watch press conference hope is as funny as the interview. I laughed loud! I’m crying! Excellent!!

Oh! in the press conference he starts to do his thing, come on! LOL!!! He really is like his movies! LOVE it! But what I love more is that looks like no one gets him… except his colleagues… I’m starting to imagine what the press will say about this conference but, me for one, love it!!! They even have sound problems. Oh no. Yes, is an electric cigarette. Have to admit that’s odd, very odd, but funny! Oh! “my camera wants to kill your mama” … wont write anymore as I’m laughing so much; sorry. Who knows what’s going on but Aki’s face is really red; ah! is the translator translating to him … got so serious, pity. Every time he talks says something quite smart but very funny in his own way, unfortunately press will not play his game. Surely I learned nothing about the movie, which is just great, but I learned a lot about Aki, probably will watch his movies in a different way or maybe not. You have to watch the photocall first, then the interview, last the press conference and most of all, you have to recall his movies, then and only then you will laugh as much as you could laugh in his films with these videos. “Bergman shot two films with camera … I shot 18, is no longer his camera, is Aki’s camera” LOL!

The red carpet stars with Aki and his cigarette, so serious… but soon he gets into his own thing and gloriously the interviewer plays -a little- along. Interviews with cast are not interesting and Aki walks fast the red carpet dancing to the music by Little Bob. As I was told, as soon as he finished dancing, fireworks exploded! That is good timing and a great finale for this iconic director. No, you won't see it in the video.

Second film is Pater by Alain Cavalier that I’m not sure will enjoy as even Thierry Frémaux calls film “one of the strangest films at Cannes this year”. For strange films there is always la Semaine de la Critique parallel section, why include in the main selection a so-called “strange” film too? I like Cavalier films, but this “experiment” definitively doesn’t call my attention.

Out of Competition/Special Screenings

Today is the screening of The Beaver by Jodie Foster –that’s why she came to Cannes yesterday as many photos could tell. Usually I don’t like to mix the artist and the person, but with media coverage is almost impossible not to learn something and get your own opinion about Mel Gibson. I don’t know if I will be able to separate the actor and the person while watching film which could allow me to enjoy film, but I know that I have to watch film just because is by Jodie Foster.

Photocall is crowded and noisy, still photographers yell Jodie! She looks nice not as in yesterday photos where she looked tired. Photocall is short and nice. Of course Interview is with Jodie speaking French –should I say perfect French, as I always do?- good questions and better answers. Yes they talk about the film, but unless you live under a stone, by now we all know what movie is about, so kept watching even if there are mild spoilers. She gets the Mel question and she answers as we already know she will; but liked when she talks about how she does her films. Like when she laughs. Nice interview. Oui, il viens ce soir (Mel). She really looks good in the press conference. Here comes the first Mel Gibson question… and the answer we already know. Oh! press cheered after watching film, hmm even she says that has a more European style, that’s new for me and makes film more interesting to watch –at least for me. Okay, there are spoilers but I’m watching with volume. I like her real-life personality that comes through when she works promoting films, always have liked her and she’s about the only actor that I really will like to meet in person. Another Mel question and the same answer came out, don’t reporters get it? She will only answer one way… have to admit that her way is the right way. At minute 18 turn off volume, big spoiler about the end of the movie. Wow, she talks about herself! Amazing. Usually she’s such a private person. More interesting questions until again the Mel question with the same answer. Ah! (lol) wasn’t aware that Jennifer Lawrence is in this movie, great! LOVE the press conference, should be must be seen if you wish to see Jodie in a different scenario. Red carpet starts with Mel, there is noise from the fans for Jodie and Mel… interesting, after all is Europe or should I say France? Short and nice.

Second is the documentary The Big Fix by Rebeca Tickell and Josh Tickell that revisits the oil spill which occurred in the USA last year, polluting the Atlantic Ocean in an irreversible manner. Not really interested in watching, but very concerned about the fact and also about the fact that the Pacific Ocean –as we speak- is also being polluted in an irreversible way… so, we humans managed to pollute our two main Earth water life reservoirs, aren’t we something? …and not many do a thing. Maybe I should reconsider watching if only to support that someone is trying to do something.

Also today the tribute to Jean-Paul Belmondo with a ceremony before the screening of the documentary Belmondo, itinéraire… by Vincent Perrot and Jeff Domenech. Maybe I’m the only one that when think about Belmondo I always thing about Alain Delon; for some reason they are tied together in my memory with many films that I saw a while back, a few with both but most only with one of them in film. Nevertheless fest organizers tie him alongside Jean Gabin and Michel Simon as one of the greatest French actors of all time. At official site the video of the red carpet with Belmondo and his deep-tan look plus a beautiful woman by his side; oh! Jean Rochefort (I knew was going to watch great French actors), Albert Dupontel, Cedric Klapish, Xavier Beauvois, Claude Lelouch, Claudia Cardinale, etc. He’s not young anymore but gee he smiles and looks like him, like he was when his hair was dark. Gosh, the not-young-anymore along the younger generations and a few really young, many are there. Salut Bebel.

Midnight Screenings

Today the second film of only two that the section will screen. Días de Gracia (Days of Grace) by Everardo Valerio Gout -also competing for the Camera d’Or. Film concept attracts me, “one film, three versions” following three football World cups in 2002, 2006, and 2010; plus a cop, a hostage, a woman and corruption, violence, vengeance. I imagine that film has to be raw, like the new wave of Mexican films, which also calls my attention even if I know will “scare” me.

Un Certain Regard

Today two new films and a reprise. The first is the first film in Afrikaans to ever been in Cannes, Skoonheid by Olivier Hermanus -also being considered for the Queer Palm. Hermanus second film calls my attention.

The second is Tatsumi by Eric Khoo a director that I highly enjoy but as some of you recall I’m no fan of animated films; still as animation looks/feels different maybe will give a try to this portrait of Yoshihiro Tatsumi a Manga giant recognized as one of the greatest Japanese artists even in America. Stories seem interesting as deal with Tatsumi’s disenchanting portrait of Japan.

Is in the program today, a reprise of of Bonsai by Cristián Jiménez, which is unusual but gives me opportunity to share with you that saw his first movie and when was over I said: it’s okay. Not much time passed when I started to really think what I saw in the movie and it was an intense voyage of retrospection that hit me hard, very hard. Now his second movie is absolutely must be seen for me.

Cannes Classics

1931’s Niemandsland (No Man’s Land), Victor Trivas a film that was banned by the Nazis because story had a pacifist agenda and most copies were destroyed. Film has a First World War story and no, haven’t seen film.

Cinema de la Plage

1958 A Night to Remember by Roy Ward Baker about the Titanic and winner of the 1959 Golden Globe; haven’t seen movie.

Quinzaine

Two films in the main selection. The first is Corpo Celeste by Alice Rohrwacher that from trailer visuals absolutely call my attention plus story seems that could be enjoyable.

The second is O Abismo Prateado by Karim Aïnouz that also could be considered for the Queer Palm if it has something with LGBT interest. No matter if has or not LGBT interest, story called my attention and will watch movie.

Quinzaine Special Screenings

Also today two films that are special screenings. The first is El Velador (The Night Watchman) by Natalia Almada a documentary that from clips and story probably will watch.

The second is Des Jeunes Gens Mödernes (Kids of Today) by Jérôme de Missolz, a doc that doesn’t call my attention.

Semaine

Avé by Konstantin Bojanov a Bulgarian road trip movie that could be interesting, but as is screened in this section I hope is not too strange for my taste.

Today the premiere of La Collection Canal+ “5 Fois Nathalie Baye” with the actress starring in each of the following five shorts: A l’Abri by Jérémie Lippman, Bye Bye by Edouard Deluc, Dormir Debout by Jean-Luc Perreard, Je Voulais Vous Dire by Romain Delange, and Le Premier Role by Mathieu Hippeau.

ACID

Rue des Cites (Slums Road) by Carine May and Hakim Zohani that doesn’t call my attention at all. Before feature film two short films Devine by Laurent Perreau and Yasmine et la Revolution by Karin Albou.

News

So after all Malick was at Cannes yesterday and attended the screening of his movie; his entrance came as the announcer said his name and he was showered with the rigorous standing ovation.

Today Photos

From The Beaver and my little homage to a great personality: Very nice meeting you, Mr. Aki Kaurismäki! Last, Director/Actress Nadine Labaki at photocall.

20th European Film Awards

Not long ago the European Film Academy announced the selection of 42 films that the 1,800 members will vote for the nominations in the different award categories. The nominations will be announced on November 3rd at the Sevilla Festival de Cine Europeo in Spain.

The 20th European Film Awards with the presentation of the winners will take place in Berlin on December 1st.

Here is the selection with 42 films from 26 countries.

4 LUNI, 3 SAPTAMINI SI 2 ZILE (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days), Romania
directed by Cristian Mungiu
produced by Mobra Film SRL

ALATRISTE, Spain
directed by Agustin Díaz Yanes
produced by Estudios Picasso (Telecinco Cinema)/Origen PC/Universal

ALEXANDRA, Russia/France
directed by Alexander Sokurov
produced by Proline-film Studio/Rezo Films

AUF DER ANDEREN SEITE (The Edge of Heaven), Germany/Turkey
directed by Fatih Akin
produced by Corazón International GmbH & Co KG/Anka Film/Dorje Film/NDR

BELLE TOUJOURS, Portugal/France
directed by Manoel de Oliveira
produced by Filbox Produções/Les Films d’Ici

BIKUR HATIZMORET (The Band's Visit), Israel/France
directed by Eran Kolirin
produced by July August Productions/Sophie Dulac Productions

BÖRN (Children), Iceland
directed by Ragnar Bragason
produced by Vesturport/Klikk Production/Köggull Filmworks/Artbox

DAGEN ZONDER LIEF (With Friends Like These), Belgium
directed by Felix van Groeningen
produced by Menuet

DU LEVANDE (You, the Living), Sweden/Germany/France/Denmark/Norway
directed by Roy Andersson
produced by Roy Andersson Filmproduktion AB/Thermidor Filmproduktion/Parisienne de Production/Posthus Teatret/4 ½

EDUART, Greece/Germany
directed by Angeliki Antoniou
produced by CL Productions/Jost Hering Filme/Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation/Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH/Nova/Le Spot/Greek Film Centre/ODEON S.A/Angeliki Antoniou

FARVÄL FALKENBERG (Falkenberg Farewell), Sweden/Denmark
directed by Jesper Ganslandt
produced by Memfis Film/Sveriges Television (SVT)/Film i Väst/Zentropa Entertainments24

DAS FRÄULEIN (Fraulein), Switzerland/Germany
directed by Andrea Staka
produced by Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion/Quinte Film/ZDF Das kleine Fernsehspiel/SF 1

IMPORT EXPORT, Austria
directed by Ulrich Seidl
produced by Ulrich Seidl Film Produktion GmbH

IN MEMORIA DI ME (In Memory of Myself), Italy
directed by Saverio Costanzo
produced by Offside SRL/Medusa Film

IRINA PALM, Belgium/Germany/Luxemburg/UK/France
directed by Sam Garbarski
produced by Entre Chien et Loup/Pallas Film/Samsa Film/Ipso Facto Films/Liaison Cinématographique

IZGNANIE (The Banishment), Russia
directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev
produced by Ren Film

KLOPKA (The Trap), Serbia/Germany/Hungary
directed by Srdan Golubovic
produced by Bas Celik Film & Production House/Mediopolis

KUNSTEN AT GRÆDE I KOR (The Art of Crying), Denmark/Norway
directed by Peter Schoenau Fog
produced by Final Cut Productions APS/Motlys AS

LADRONES (Thieves), Spain
directed by Jaime Marques
produced by Pentagrama Films/Telecinco Cinema/Maestranza Films

LADY CHATTERLEY, France/Belgium
directed by Pascale Ferran
produced by Maia Films/Saga Films/Zephyr Films

THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, UK
directed by Kevin Macdonald
produced by DNA Films

MIEHEN TYÖ (Man´s Job), Finland
directed by Aleksi Salmenperä
produced by Blind Spot Pictures

MIO FRATELLO É FIGLIO UNICO (My Brother Is An Only Child), Italy
directed by Daniele Luchetti
produced by Cattleya/Babe Films

LA MÔME (La Vie en Rose), France/Czech Republic/UK
directed by Olivier Dahan
produced by Légende/ TF1 International/TF1 Films Production/Okko Production s.r.o./Songbird Pictures Ltd

MÝRIN (Jar City), Iceland/Germany/Denmark
directed by Baltasar Kormakur
produced by Blueeyes Productions/Bavaria Entertainment/Nordisk Film

NINCS KEGYELEM (Without Mercy), Hungary
directed by Elemér Ragályi
produced by Tivoli-Filmproductions Ltd./Objektiv Film Studio Ltd.

LA NOCHE DE LOS GIRASOLES (The Night of the Sunflowers), Spain/Portugal/France
directed by Jorge Sánchez-Cabezudo
produced by Alta Producción S.L./Fado Filmes/Stopline Filmes/The Film/Arte France Cinéma

OBARNATA ELHA (Christmas Tree Upside Down), Bulgaria/Germany
directed by Ivan Cherkelov & Vassil Zhivkov
produced by Klas Film/Filmkombinat/Bulgarian National TV

OBER (Waiter), The Netherlands/Belgium
directed by Alex van Warmerdam
produced by Graniet Film/La Parti Production/VARA

OBSLUHOVAL JSEM ANGLICKÉHO KRÁLE (I Served the King of England), Czech Republic/Slovak Republic
directed by Jiří Menzel
produced by AQS, a.s./Bioscop, a.s./CME Media Services, s.r.o./Barrandov Studio, a.s./Universal Production Partners, a.s./Magic Box Slovakia, s.r.o.

ONCE, Ireland
directed by John Carney
produced by Samson Films

DAS PARFUM – DIE GESCHICHTE EINES MÖRDERS (Perfume: The Story of a Murderer), Germany/France/Spain
directed by Tom Tykwer
produced by Constantin Film Produktion GmbH/Film & Entertainment VIP Medienfonds 4B GmbH & Co. KG/Nouvelles Editions de Films S.A./Castelao Productions S.A.

PERSEPOLIS, France
directed by Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud
produced by 2.4.7. Films/France 3 Cinéma/Diaphana Distribution/The Kennedy/Marshall Company/Franche Connection Animations

PLAC ZBAWICIELA (Savior’s Square), Poland
directed by Joanna Kos-Krauze & Krzysztof Krauze
produced by Zebra Film Studio/TVP SA – Film Agency/Canal+ Polska/PISF

THE QUEEN, UK/France/Italy
directed by Stephen Frears
produced by Granada/Pathé Renn/BIM Distribuzione

REPRISE (Reprise), Norway/Sweden
directed by Joachim Trier
produced by Spillefilmkompaniet 4 1/2 /Filmlance Int. AB

LA SCONOSCIUTA(The Unknown), Italy/France
directed by Giuseppe Tornatore
produced by Medusa Film S.p.A./Manigolda Film

THIS IS ENGLAND, UK
directed by Shane Meadows
produced by Warp Films

VIER MINUTEN (Four Minutes), Germany
directed by Chris Kraus
produced by Kordes & Kordes Film GmbH/SWR/BR/arte/Journal Film Klaus
Volkenborn KG

VRATNÉ LAHVE (Empties), Czech Republic/UK/Denmark
directed by Jan Svěrák
produced by Biograf Jan Svěrák, s.r.o./Portobello Pictures/Phoenix Film Investment

YUMURTA (Egg),Turkey/Greece
directed by Semih Kaplanoglu
produced by Kaplan Film Production/Inkas Film Production

ZWARTBOEK (Black Book), The Netherlands/Germany/Belgium/UK
directed by Paul Verhoeven
produced by Fu Works/Egoli Tossell Film/Clockwork Pictures/Hotel Films/Hector

To check the EFA site go here.

Day 5 at Cannes 2011

As yesterday was Saturday is until today that you can watch if you wish photocall, interview and press conference of Hearat Shulayim (Footnote) by Joseph Cedar. Also available today the same three events for Michael by Markus Schleinzer and the red carpet for the Bollywood documentary that is the only kind of entertainment video of all mentioned.

Main Competition

Since yesterday and thanks to French press have been reading headlines about the first serious -or with very solid credentials if you wish- film that’s screened in the festival as film is by two very accomplished directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. I’m talking about Le Gamin au Vélo (Boy with a Bike) that obviously is a must be seen for me because is the latest oeuvre by the Dardenne Brothers but also because it stars none other than Cécile De France. So, no matter what critics’ say (positive comments) I’m looking forward to watch what has been called since yesterday “a contemporary fairytale”.

After watching several photocalls with women so elegant is kind of strange to watch Cécile so casual, but that’s exactly what “non-vedette” actresses tend to do at events in Europe. Indeed she looks so young, fresh, clean and natural. Quite nice and yes, she looks as she probably is in real life, tomboyish. Obviously all are screaming Cécile and the best moment is when she is with the Dardenne Brothers kissing her; her smile says everything.

Interview is good and the story told about how the script was created is particularly interesting. Really enjoy watching Cécile being herself (well, sort of as she’s in promoting her film mode); but as some of you know, I also highly enjoy the characters she creates. Still, most interesting is to find that in this film she has to play herself as per Dardenne Bros instructions, which she says was a new experience. The kid has a great personality, getting excited about watching the film. Some beautiful Cécile camera takes. Yes, watching in French without translator, great! See, so different, they’re talking about the importance of summer lighting for film. Even the jokes are classy. Great to watch to learn something about the film without learning spoilers; the first interview that I’m really sorry is over.

I was able to read the complete press conference transcript but seems that today won't be able to watch the video as is not up yet at official site. The red carpet continues with a very natural, fresh and casual Cécile even when wearing a long dress and still talking about the lighting in the film. A nice and fast red carpet.

Also today the last film to be announced as part of the Official Selection The Artist by Michel Hazanavicius that as we all know by now is in black and white as well as silent. The film buzz grabbed me and of course I’m looking forward to watch this French movie with some well-known American actors in secondary roles (none came to Cannes). This is my dream come true an art good movie with no words, all beautifully told by visuals, a visual narrative where actors expressions tell all (I hope).

Photocall is fun to watch and they behave like if they’re having a great time; unfortunately was very short. Interview is also about film, not story, with comments about if there was a screenplay with dialogue, how to work, the format (is 33, square), etc. If you wish to learn about film tech specs then the interview is must been seen for you. Press conference starts the same as everyone is interested in asking/talking about the experience of doing today a silent b/w film. The Greek newspaper man did an excellent question that I’m sure is a matter to think about a long time, don’t think anyone can answer it without deep thought. I don’t have the answer and they talk about their particular experience. Question was about something similar to what I ask now: if now when everything changes/moves forward so fast, doing a b/w silent film is a sight to the past, why looking to the past? What is there that could enrich the present? (Wish was there to ask the question.) Interesting press conference with balance between serious and light matters (ok turned off volume when asking story questions). By the way, critics’ and people who have watched film give positive comments.

Out of Competion/Special Screenings

Today is the day of Duch, Le Maître des Forges de l’Enfer (Duch, Master of the Forges Hell) by Rithy Panh, a documentary about Cambodia, Khmer Rouge and Kaing Guek Eave, better known as Duch. Does not call my attention.

Un Certain Regard

Two films. First Halt Auf Freier Strecke (Stopped on Track) by Andreas Dresen a drama about a dying man that has been called an ode to life with dialogues completely improvised by the actors. I know will probably watch as I ended up watching his previous Cannes film, Cloud 9 that maybe didn’t enjoyed story but liked his style.

Second an Amercian film Martha Marcy May Marlene by Sean Durkin that also competes for the Camera d’Or. With a few exceptions I don’t enjoy American indies but when I do, usually film blows my mind; no idea if this film with fit my norm or break it, but know that will watch it.

Cannes Classics

Today 1960’s Chronique d’un été (Chronicle of a Summer) by Jean Rouch and Edgar Morin that think haven’t watch it, but somehow does not call my attention watching a (then) “new approach to documentary filmmaking”.

Cinéma de la Plage

Today a reprise of the made exclusively for Cannes, Bollywood – The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by R. Omprakash Mehra and Jeffrey Zimbalist.

Quinzaine

Today a film that’s must be seen for me simply because is an Urzula Antoniak film and definitively enjoy very much her style, her visual narrative, and her storytelling technique. Code Blue is a blue movie, according to a few scenes I watched; yes some scenes are tainted with color blue, but also is a cold movie and has absence of light with a female character centered story… just perfect for my taste.

Second film is also must be seen for me as I really enjoyed Involuntary, I’m talking about Play by Ruben Östlund that will watch even when story is about children and verbal bullying or if you wish “gang rhetoric rather than physical violence”.

Last En Ville (Iris in Bloom) by Bertrand Schefer and Valérie Mréjen that also competes for the Camera d’Or and yes of course I’m interested just because is French cinema but also because story, plus one of the secondary roles is played by Adèle Haenel (she’s also in L’Apollonide – remember Water Lilies?).

Semaine

Actually this film premiered yesterday but was so tired that skip it; nevertheless 17 Filles by Delphine and Muriel Coulin is also screened today and you guessed is must be seen for me as who could resist a film with 17 young actresses even if story is about getting pregnant at the same time. Besides yes is a French film.

Today Take Shelter by Jeff Nichols, another American film but because images and story this one calls my attention and probably will watch; my only concern is that’s screened in this section that always has very strange films.

Five short films will be screened today, Blue by Stephen Kang, La Inviolabilidad… by Alex Piperno, In Front of the House by Lee Tae-ho, Finis Operis by Moon Byoung-gon, and Permanencias by Ricardo Alves Jr.

ACID

Today is the parallel section exhibits the film that made pay attention to this independent cinema activity in Cannes, Gatos Viejos (Old Cats) by Pedro Peirano and Sebastian Silva that want to see because I enjoyed Silva’s fantastic The Maid, film has same lead actresses and is a lesbian interest film even when story is not centered about the relationship between the two women. As we know film is being considered for the Queer Palm award.

News

Seems that the French Culture Minister, Frédéric Mitterrand, has lots of work at Cannes; yesterday was Emir Kusturica, today is Faye Dunaway who gets the Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters medal.

So Angelina Jolie has been busy in Cannes, she sold her directing debut “In the Land of Blood and Honey” about Bosnian War to Film District, a subsidiary of GK Films. GK Films founder Graham King announced today the acquisition and described Jolie’s debut as “signals the arrival of a visceral and compelling storyteller”. Who am I kidding, of course I’m curious.

The Not-So-Serious

There you have American media speculating if Harvey Weinstein can take a silent movie to the Oscars, gosh … walk don’t run! Article goes on with Weinstein’s The King’s Speech success story, which is true, but come on, is too early to start talking Oscar, stay in Cannes.

I had no idea who Cheryl Cole was when I posted her classic photo two days ago (the post that doesn’t appear yet) but by now I now she’s a British singer (never heard her) but most intriguing she’s one of the judges in the upcoming X Factor TV show. Oh.

Most interesting is the “Cannes fait le mur” photography exhibition by Marcel Hartman, which is a glamorous, larger than life installation spread throughout the town of Cannes with a selection of Hartmann photos. Browse the net to watch many of the gigantic boards in buildings with photos of Fanny Ardant, Diane Kruger, Emmanuelle Devos, Audrey Tautou; Lars von Trier, Willem Dafoe and Charlotte together; Tim Burton, Virginie Ledoyen and more.

Since is too early for red carpets, lets talk a bit about nonsense like for example, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt were at the fifth installment of the Variety Studio @ Stella Artoirs Lounge stationed at the Carlton Beach and whatever happens at the lounge could be watched by American audiences in the Entertainment Tonight show or online at Variety site. On May 14 Quincy Jones was there.

Naomi Campbell and model Tao Okamoto joined other personalities in a great cause that’s being promoted in Cannes, Fashion for Relief: Japan Appeal, which is raising money to help Japan.

Last night the Chopard Trophy was given to Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Niels Schneider winners of the emerging talent award. Robert de Niro handed the awards. At the reception none other that the divine Ludivine Sagnier and there is an incredible photo with Uma and Ludivine together, but is rights protected so will not publish here. If you wish to see it go here.

Also in Cannes Meredith Viera that we have to remember that she’s (or her company) the producer of Return; she was the Return party and there are many photos that show only women, seems like there were no men at the party.

Red Granite Party was last night with performances by Kanye West and Jamie Foxx, read so many tweets of serious cinema journalist –and no so young- behaving like kids because their excitement to watch perform Kanye (lol!). Lots of celebrities there.

Mick Jagger was at the 3rd Annual Finch’s Quarterly Review Filmmakers Dinner, as well as(honchos) Harvey Weinstein and Jerry Weintraub.

The Photos

The Artist Red Carpet

13th Annual Satellite Awards Nominations

Yesterday the International Press Academy announced the nominations for the 2008 Satellite Awards and here are some categories.

Motion Picture -Drama
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Revolutionary Road
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Frozen River

Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Happy-Go-Lucky
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Tropic Thunder
In Bruges
Choke

Motion Picture - Foreign Language Film
Let the Right One In, Sweden
The Class, France
Sangre de mi Sangre, Argentina
Reprise, Norway
Gomorrah, Italy
Caramel, Lebanon and France

Motion Picture -Animated or Mixed Media
The Tale of Desperaux
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!
WALL-E
Bolt
Waltz With Bashir
The Sky Crawlers

Director
Thomas McCarthy for The Visitor
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant for Milk
Christopher Nolan for The Dark Night
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daidry for The Reader

Actress - Drama
Melissa Leo for Frozen River
Angelina Jolie for Changeling
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married
Kristin Scott Thomas for I’ve Loved You So Long
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Actress – Comedy or Musical
Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky
Meryl Streep for Mamma Mia!
Lisa Kudrow for Kabluey
Kat Dennings for Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Catherine Deneuve for A Christmas Tale
Debra Messing for Nothing Like the Holidays

Actress – Supporting Role
Rosemarie DeWitt for Rachel Getting Married
Penelope Cruz for Elegy
Angelica Huston for Choke
Sohpie Okonedo for The Secret Life of Bees
Emma Thompson for Brideshead Revisited
Beyonce Knowles for Cadillac Records

Actor - Drama
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
Mark Ruffalo for What Doesn’t Kill You
Richard Jenkins for The Visitor
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
Leonardo Dicarpio for Revolutionary Road
Sean Penn for Milk

Actor – Comedy or Musical
Ricky Gervais for Ghost Town
Sam Rockwell for Choke
Josh Brolin for W.
Michael Cera for Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Brendan Gleeson for In Bruges
Mark Ruffalo in The Brothers Bloom

Actor – Supporting Role
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road
Robert Downey, Jr. for Tropic Thunder
Rade Sherbedgia for Fugitive Pieces
James Franco for Milk
Heath Leger for The Dark Night
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt

To check nominations in all categories for movie, TV, and New Media as well as the Special Achievement awards go here. Winners will be announced on December 14.

So many movies to look forward to watch and perhaps these nominations look more like the probable in the Golden Globes than in any other award, what do you think?

64th Festival de Cannes Un Certain Regard Lineup - Update 2

The other film that was announced today and also is part of the Official Selection but in the Un Certain Regard section is by Mohammad Rasoulof, who is also currently subject to legal proceedings in Iran, and tells about a young lawyer in Tehran in search of a visa to leave the country, which is what Rasoulof did during the winter of 2010/2011. The feature film is called Bé Omid é Didar (Good Bye).

--end of update 2--

5/4/11
Today's press release announces that Andrei Zvyagintsev's Elena will close the section and will be screened on Saturday May 21st at the Closing ceremony. Also the complete jury members were announced. All the info is updated below.

--end of update--

4/14/11
As announced during this morning press conference here are the nineteen (19) films that will compete in this section.

Opening Film: Restless, Gus Van Sant

아리랑 Arirang, Kim ki-duk, South Korea
Bé Omid é Didar (Good Bye), Mohammad Rasoulof, Iran, 2011
Bonsái, Cristián Jiménez, Chile
북촌방향 Book-chon-bang-hyang (The Day He Arrives) , Sangsoo Hong, South Korea
Halt Auf Freier Strecke, Andreas Dresen, Germany
Hors Satan, Bruno Dumont, France and Belgium
황해 Hwang Hae (Yellow Sea), Hong-jin Na, South Korea
L'Exercice de l'Etat (The Minister), Pierre Schoeller, France
Les Neiges du Kilimandjaro, Robert Guédiguian, France
Loverboy, Cătălin Mitulescu, Romania
(*) Martha Marcy May Marlene, Sean Durkin, USA
Miss Bala, Gerardo Naranjo, Mexico
Охотника Okhotnik (The Hunter), Bakur Bakuradze, Russia
Oslo 31.august (Oslo, August 31st), Joachim Trier, Norway
Skoonheid, Olivier Hermanus, South Africa, France and Germany
Tatsumi, Eric Khoo, Singapore and Japan
Toomelah, Ivan Sen, Australia
(*) Trabalhar Cansa (Hard Labor), Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra, Brazil
Wo Hallah La Wen? (Where Do We Go Now?), Nadine Labaki, Lebanon and France

Closing Film: Elena, Andrei Zvyagintsev, Russia (must be seen for me)

(*) First Film, competes for Camera d’Or

Jury
President: Emir Kusturica, Director, Serbia
Elodie Bouchez, Actress, France
Peter Bradshaw, Critic, UK (oh! congrats!!!)
Geoffrey Gilmore, CCO Tribeca Enterprises, USA
Daniela Michel, Morelia Film Festival Director, Mexico

To read official press release go here; after April 22nd films will be listed at fest site and will post link.

There are some very interesting films in this selection, most interesting is Kim Ki-duk latest film, looking forward to watch Mitulescu film after his great Whistle movie, Gerardo Naranjo scares me but of course will watch his latest Mexican reality interpretation, loved Reprise so it’s easy to watch Trier’s Oslo movie, very curious about the Chilean movie and of course “dying” to watch Nadine Labaki latest oeuvre but there are more films in the above list that will be must be seen for me. Excellent, I’m excited about this selection.

Watch trailers @MOC

Stardust

Let me start by saying that I believe that this is a tale for adults, as like the book author says, “adults deserve fairytales”. Well yes we do and this one was fun to watch, at moments.

Have to say that the best part was when Robert de Niro is on the screen, not only because his silly character but also because he seems like he's having lots of fun doing whatever he does. I think that Michelle Pfeiffer did a so-so reprise of her The Witches of Eastwood character, but with a lot more make-up and some comical moments. Also you have very nice cameos- too short time on the screen to be called secondary roles- by Peter O’Toole as the King and Ricky Gervais as Ferdy the Fence. The leads, not that good, but the story is so cute that it doesn’t really bother that their performances are not up to her best for Claire Danes and not known to me Charlie Cox (Tristan) is average.

Yes, the story is really nice and I believe is the winner in this movie. Imagine a guy falling for a star (the one in the sky, not a celebrity!) well, basically that’s what this fairytale is about. Okay other things happen like a witch following the star to kill her, the pirate saving the guy and the star, and few princes following the star.

Another entertaining fantasy that has divided audiences, so the probability is that you either like it or hate it. I did enjoy it a little, enough to watch it once but not twice.