#Venezia72 Check No. 7 - The Asians

There are two directors from Asia, Amos Gitaï from Israel and Zhao Liang from China. Besides geography both have in common the fact of being politically committed, thus controversial in their own countries.

Amos Gitaï

Born on October 11, 1950 in Haifa, Israel. After studying Hebrew school, living in a Kibbutz, do his compulsory military service, he enrolls in Haifa's Faculty of Architecture where in 1975 graduates in Architecture. In 1979 he gets his PhD in Architecture from Berkeley University.

More related to cinema, it is in 1972 when his mother gives him a Super-8 camera and he starts to make his first experimental films. In 1974 he does his first short film Ahare and from 1976 to 1979 he does more short films until 1980 when he does a full-length documentary, House, for the Israeli television corporation, which refuses to show it. The film, which describes the attachment of Palestinians to their land, is the first of a trilogy of works on the same house in West Jerusalem. The others are A House in Jerusalem (1998) and News from Home / News from House (2005).

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Day 9 - Cannes 2015

After today there are only three more films to go in the main competition; but more shocking, the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs and La Semaine de la Critique have their closing ceremony tomorrow, so believe it or not, tomorrow we will start to learn awards winners.

Oops! just realized that La Semaine de la Critique closing ceremony is TODAY!!! Oh gosh. Ceremony will be at 7pm local time.

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2015 Cannes Check #7 - The Asians

Asian directors also have significant presence among the 19 films in the main competition as three films come from that side of the world. Already talked about Jia Zhangke and now is time to review Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Kore-eda Hirokazu.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien

A leading figure of Taiwan's New Wave cinema movement that abandoned the melodrama and kung-fu action films for the realism in urban or rural Taiwan, promoting the narrative structure that progresses at the pace as it would in real life. His work engages themes of political, cultural, and personal transition, frequently through oblique narratives grounded upon generational conflicts. For these and many more reasons he is my favorite Taiwanese director of all times.

He was born in April 8, 1947 in Meixian, Guangdong province, China but in 1948 his family fled the Chinese Civil War to Taiwan where he was educated at the National Taiwan Academy of the Arts. After graduation in 1972, he worked briefly as a salesman. Later he began his film career as a scriptwriter and assistant director. His first cinema-related work dates back to 1973 when he was the script supervisor for Xin you qian qian jie. Took him almost a decade to finally do his first feature film, 1980 Jiushi liuliu de ta (Cute Girl) and almost two more decades for me to discover him.

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54th Semaine de la Critique News

While traveling the parallel section of the Cannes fest released several news, following is a selection of the news, but perhaps the most awaited is the date for the press conference where they will announce this year's selection: April 20th.

The Poster

Recently La Semaine de la Critique unveiled their current edition poster with the message of "fresh air" which suggests that their films selection will bring a new/fresh perspective to the festival.

For the poster of its 54th edition, La Semaine de la Critique found inspiration in a still from Respire (Breathe) a second feature film directed by Melanie Laurent and part of last year's selection. Lively, bold freed of all constraint, the heroine played by the actress Lou de Laâge, embodies the breath of fresh air carried by emerging talents. The poster was designed by the Parisian agency “Les bons faiseurs“ from a photograph by Jérôme Plon.

Since its creation in 1962 within the Cannes Film Festival, La Semaine de la Critique continues to promote young promising filmmakers worldwide by selecting first and second feature films, as well as short films.

Current year honorees will follow the footsteps of such famous foregoers as Alejandro González Iñárritu, Ken Loach, Wong Kar-wai, Andrea Arnold, Leos Carax, Arnaud Desplechin, Guillermo del Toro, Jacques Audiard or Miranda July, all revealed by La Semaine. The 54th selection of La Semaine de la Critique, composed of 10 feature films and 10 short films, will be announced on April 20th.

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2015 Cannes Possible Films - The Buzz

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 2015 and what I know from my daily readings.

As one Le Monde article says: "It is no secret, Cannes begins in Berlin" and it does, not in red carpet but in the industry market. Consequently it's no surprise that in the last days of the Berlinale press articles (see my pinterest here) started to appear with possible films that surely are fast running to reach La Croisette on time.

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8th Asian Film Award Winners

A few days back the Asian Film Awards Academy had their award ceremony and the big winner is none other than the Grandmaster by extraordinary filmmaker Won Kar-wai by collecting seven awards including best picture, best director, best actress and more.

Really regret that excellent actor Tony Leung (still consider him THE best actor in the world) didn't got an honor BUT do not mind that Irfan Khan received the award as he gave us a great performance in The Lunchbox.

Winners are in *BLUE. If you wish to learn winners in all categories please go official site here.

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53rd Semaine de la Critique News

For its 53rd edition, La Semaine de la Critique unveils its new poster, which captures the creative energy of a whole new generation of filmmakers.

Conceived by the digital agency “Les bons faiseurs“, the poster features Kate Moran, one of the stars of Rencontres d’après minuit (You and the Night), the first feature of Yann Gonzalez, discovered at La Semaine de la Critique. Posing for photographer Jean-Claude Moireau, the actress sits astride a motorbike, looking like she's ready to conquer new horizons.

Find the poster graphically very interesting and most of all, modern which is quite unusual for Cannes posters. Bravo! Let's hope the festival also surprise us with a modern and interesting poster.

The Grand Prize of this 53rd edition of the Semaine de la Critique will be presided over by British filmmaker Andrea Arnold. The Jury, made up of four international journalists, will award one of the seven feature films in competition. The winning entry will follow Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza's Salvo, winner of 2013's Grand Prize.

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86th Academy Awards Winners

Will comment in a separate post about the ceremony plus whatever else. But regarding the winners NONE of the awards upset me more than the documentary that won as doc is truly badly done, so bad that the okay story was lost to me and had to stop watching as style was not pleasant to watch for me at all. Most upsetting are those that compare 20 feet from stardom with Searching for Sugar Man; only those that do not understand about moving images could compare one with the other as they are two very different documentaries. Searching for Sugar Man has an engaging story, outstanding editing, puzzling cinematography and a director with a fantastic eye and storytelling style. None of those key ingredients was in the documentary that won this year. Sigh. Know that because controversies probably many voters did not watch The Act of Killing but all of us that saw the extraordinary documentary know that by far was the best of the nominated pack and deserved the honor.

Knew that Gravity was going to get the tech awards plus one top award (director) so did not surprised me that was the quantity winner of the night and the moment Lupita Nyong'o won Supporting Role I knew that 12 Years a Slave was going to win Screenplay and Best Picture.

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86th Academy Awards Foreign-Language Film - Shortlist of 9

To my surprise late yesterday the Academy released the names of the nine (9) films that will advance to the next round of voting in the category and to must Oscar season followers the selected films meant surprises and huge snubs. We know that every year this is one of the most controversial Oscar categories and this year is NO exception.

There is an article written by Scott Feinberg that if you wish to read in full go here, that could help us understand more about the selection process. The following is a cut and paste paragraph from the article.

The Academy's best foreign-language film Oscar short-list is determined in two phases. During the first, all of the eligible submissions -- which this year numbered 76 and included three documentaries, two animated films and 16 films directed by women -- are divided into groups, as are the members of a foreign-language committee which consists of several hundred Los Angeles-based Academy members, all volunteers from a wide cross-section of the Academy's branches whose names are never released. Each group of members is then assigned to a different group of films. In order to retain the right to weigh in on the short-list at the end of the process, members must attend screenings of a certain percentage of the films in their assigned group. This year, screenings of all of the submissions took place between mid-Oct. and Dec. 16, and members had to attend no fewer than 17. Those who maintained their eligibility then got to vote, and their six highest-scoring films were passed along to an executive committee.

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86th Academy Awards Foreign Language Film Submissions - Final

Yesterday the Academy published the final list and well, was a great surprise to find seventy-six (76) submissions to the foreign-language category which is a new record that believe will be hard to surpass. Nevertheless all three movies I was supposed to add yesterday are in list plus 2 more, one from Chad and another from Azerbaijan. No matter what category pundits say, it is a great honor for a film to be designed as the nation representative in the most popular/famous awards in the world and my wish is that awards TV show producers realize that a few extra minutes for the category will mean "something" to the millions that watch the show outside USA.

There are some significant changes from what was announced and what is in final AMPAS list. The first and most significant is Czech Republic submission is NO longer Agnieszka Holland's mini-series and has been substituted with a film by Jiri Menzel. The other is the film from Lebanon which is now by director Lara Saba. Post with female directors will be fixed by eliminating film from Czech Republic and adding film from Lebanon. Last I'm a bit surprised that the Swiss submission was accepted as had the impression that there was too much English but seems was just an impression.

The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live on the ABC Television Network.

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Opening Day - 2013 Berlinale

Tonight at 7:30pm after a few words of greeting from Government officials the festival will be officially opened by Jury President Wong Kar Wai and Berlinale Director Dieter Kosslick. Ange Engelke will again host the evening and music will be provided by Ulrich Tukur & Die Rhythmus Boys with 3sat broadcasting the opening live.

Before the opening ceremony we have the Red Carpet where we will be able to see all juries members, national guests and maybe, the cast of the opening film that is none other than The Grandmaster by Won Kar Wai. You have no idea of how much I'm "dying" to see Wong Kar Wai's film that reunites him with Tony Leung, who I consider the best actor in the world. Those two are a "dream" come true for me, based on the several extraordinary films they have done together. Also in movie Ziyi Dhang who was in outstanding 2046 by Wong Kar Wai with Tony Leung in the leading role.

Hope to be able to watch both events and if find a live streaming will share here for you all, but seems that the official site will live stream today the first press conference and the red carpet. If you wish to see them go here.

Besides the opening film today we also have the screening of the first Panorama film, Zaza Rusadze's Chemi sabnis naketsi (A Fold in My Blanket), a Georgian production that from stills looks like the kind of film I highly enjoy while story seems interesting: "An oppressively atmospheric portrait of a small town community caught up in the treadmill of habit. With magical images illustrating the central character's vivid imagination, this assured work casually reveals the protagonist’s emotional world".

Tomorrow is when all sections will screen films and fest goes full force in this 10-day cinematic marathon, but today many Press Screenings (10) will happen so we will start to hear about movies soon. Not to mention that today is also the first day of the very active European Film Market.

Not planning on doing fest daily coverage but as need a break from Oscar race, probably will share some thoughts about the movies that call my attention each day.

International Jury 2013

The first activity has already happened, the jury photocall and next is the first photo from this year's fest. From left, Susanne Bier, Tim Robbins, Shirin Neshat, Wong Kar Wai, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Adreas Dresen and Ellen Kuras

As of this moment, the first 2013 great cinema party has begun.

Cheers!!!

63rd Berlin International Film Festival - Official Program Lineup

In this morning press conference the festival full program was announced and was going to do one post for all sections, but this year each section will have their own post. We start with the Official Program that this year has 24 films.

Films in main competition include 19 movies with a few well-known directors and some of the most extraordinary actresses: Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve and Nina Hoss. Obviously those films have instantly become must be seen for me.

Also as expected the last installment in the Ulrich Seidl's Paradise trilogy, Paradise: Hope, will premier in competition; but perhaps the film that many of us have been anxiously waiting for -since more than a year- is what makes this fest edition most interesting. I'm talking about the film by this year festival Jury President, master extraordinaire Wong Kar Wai, The Grandmaster starring none other than his regular most admired by me, Tony Leung.

Remarkably after reading about each of the following films became absolutely impressed by the quality of some of them as some of the few images available are really breathtaking.

Official Program

In Competition

Camille Claudel 1915, Bruno Dumont, France (photo)
Долгая счастливая жизнь Dolgaya schastlivaya zhizn (A Long and Happy Life), Boris Khlebnikov, Russia (photo)
Elle s'en va (On my Way), Emmanuelle Bercot, France
Epizoda u životu berača željeza (An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker), Danis Tanović, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France and Slovenia
Gloria, Sebastián Lelio, Chile and Spain
Gold, Thomas Arslan, Germany
Layla Fourie, Pia Marais, Germany, South Africa, France and Netherlands
The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman, Fredrik Bond, USA
누구의 딸도 아닌 해원 Nugu-ui Ttal-do Anin Haewon (Nobody's Daughter Haewon), Hong Sangsoo, South Korea
Paradies: Hoffnung (Paradise: Hope), Ulrich Seidl, Austria, France and Germany
Pardé (Closed Curtain), Jafar Panahi and Kamboziya Partovi, Iran
Poziţia Copilului (Child's Pose), Călin Peter Netzer, Romania
Prince Avalanche, David Gordon Green, USA
Promised Land, Gus Van Sant, USA
La Religieuse (The Nun), Guillaume Nicloux, France, Germany and Belgium
Side Effects, Steven Soderbergh, USA
Уроки гармонии Uroki Garmonii (Harmony Lessons), Emir Baigazin, Kazakhstan and Germany
Vic+Flo ont vu un ours (Vic+Flo Saw a Bear), Denis Côté, Canada
W imię… (In the Name of), Małgośka Szumowska, Poland

Out of Competition
Opening Film: Yi dai zong shi (The Grandmaster), Wong Kar Wai, Hong Kong and China
Before Midnight, Richard Linklater, USA and Greece
The Croods, Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders, USA (Animation)
Dark Blood, George Sluizer, Netherlands
Night Train to Lisbon, Bille August, Germany, Switzerland and Portugal

International Jury
President: Wong Kar Wai, director, China
Susanne Bier, director, Denmark
Athina Rachel Tsangari, director and producer, Greece
Adreas Dresen, director, Germany
Ellen Kuras, director and cinematographer, USA
Shirin Neshat, artist and director, Iran and USA
Tim Robbins, actor, USA

Again I'm impressed with the quality of the international jury, especially for the first three. Besides the actresses already mentioned, there are many more international and American actors/actresses that definitively call my attention. Perhaps I'm a bit award season burnt but find that many of this year films are especially worth watching, hope I'm right.

Among the films out of competition and besides the festival opening film the most intriguing movie absolutely is George Sluizer's Dark Blood as has a great cast but the leading actor is none other than River Phoenix. Yes, is Joaquin Phoenix brother, a great young actor that passed away in 1993. As took so many years for film to be released, here is a brief film story.

"When Dark Blood’s leading actor River Phoenix died suddenly ten days before the end of the shoot in 1993, the film’s insurance company became the owner of the unfinished material. Years later, director George Sluizer managed to save his footage from being destroyed. In January 2012 he decided to finish the film by reading aloud off-screen the missing scenes from the screenplay. The resulting work is an existentialist latter-day Western which derives much of its evocative power from the presence of its leading man, who was himself teetering on the brink of death."

Can't help to comment that from the American films there is one that is the remake of an Icelandic comedy, Á annan veg (Either Way) by Hafsteinn Gunnar; what pop-up is one of the stars, Paul Rudd, that usually does the kind of comedy I really dislike. Festival praises movie to have "visual poetry" of early David Gordon Green movies so perhaps movie can be different to regular Paul Rudd's fare. But have to admit that I highly enjoy Emile Hirch performances, so probably will end up watching film for sure. The name of the movie: Prince Avalanche.

I'm looking forward to see many of these films hopefully in the very near future.

Cheers!!!

Watch some trailers, all synopsis/images @MOC

聽風者 The Silent War

The latest collaboration between Alan Mak Siu-Fai and Felix Chong Man-Keung, better known for their writing collaboration in the Infernal Affairs saga, is an entertaining movie that showcases Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as blind man with extraordinary hearing abilities. Found his performance interesting enough to allow you to keep watching this mainstream movie up to the end, but do not expect an easy to engage story as due to editing, story gives the impression of being fragmented and doesn't motivate you to fill the gaps.

If you are expecting a full-action movie you will not find it here as this spy thriller doesn't give much thrills; then if you are like me that absolutely love Tony Leung performances in fantastic Wong Kar wai's films, you could enjoy his performance here but surely you will miss the look/feel of Wong Kar wai as movie story even do could have travelled better a similar style, directors' opted for a different approach that left movie "bland" and unable to please directors' fans and/or actor's fans.

Set in 1949 story tells about government unit 701, the spy unit that "doesn't exist" who is fighting and losing to an "invisible enemy" (those conspiring against the government) until senior investigator Zhang Xue-Ning (good performance by Zhou Xun) fails to recruit noted tuner Luo San-Er (Pal Sin) but finds someone better: Luo San-Er's blind assitant Bing (Tony Leung) who doesn't need a cane as he "hears" everything around him. So we see how he is recruited, taken to 701 headquarters, trained in Morse code, finding hidden enemy radio frequencies and help in the capture of top leader Chungking. All of the above happens with some romance, some humor and nothing much else.

Not much to say except maybe that production values are above average, some photography is fabulous and IF you are not a directors' fan plus you want to have an entertainment moment then film is for you.

Enjoy!

Watch trailer @MOC

頤和園 Yihe yuan (Summer Palace)

Lou Ye's films have eluded me but finally I was able to watch this 2006 Cannes in competition film and I was not prepared for what I watched at all. I really love what I call non-commercial Chinese cinema especially from those directors in the so-called The Fifth Generation (like Zhang Yimou, for example) and The Sixth Generation (like Jia Zhangke) that I believe have a peculiar and particular style in their films. But if one director blows completely my mind is Wong Kar-wai with his unique style to tell so-called moody romance stories; well, that's it until I saw this movie.

According to what I read, Lou Ye belongs to The Six Generation and yes I can see the impressive realistic style in this movie as more than once gives the impression of watching cinéma vérité but this movie has something else that I have seen not before in Chinese movies much less in the work of The Six Generation directors I have seen. First there is a clear drama with an intense-love story that abounds elsewhere but not among Chinese filmmakers; so intense, both in story as in visuals, that film seems to me like a fusion of European (more French) style with Chinese style and believe me, the end result is amazing if you love both styles. Second, love/sex scenes are so visually explicit and raw that definitively I have not seen anything similar in "good" Chinese cinema, not even in the explicit sex scenes of Ang Lee's Lust, Caution. Third, movie story mixes fiction and reality creating an illusion that perhaps talks more about "truth" that if director decided to portrait only "truth" (which obviously was impossible as he/film would be banned). I could go on, but these three aspects are the basic ones to give you an idea of what you will seen in film.

Films tells an epic story that spans to several cities and over a decade but basic plot rotates around Yu Hong (Hao Lei) a young woman from Tumen, who is accepted to a fictional university in Beijing. There she meets Li Ti (Hu Lingling) and become close friends. Li Ti introduces Zhou Wei (Guo Xiadong) to Yu Hong and her life is changed forever as Zhou Wei becomes her obsessive love and obsession is mutual. But they have a volatile love affair, probably as volatile as the political forces that are moving towards Tiananmen Square. This story happens in what I call the first movie as storytelling style is very different to what follows in the second movie.

Second movie starts after the Tiananmen Square with the three main characters parting ways as Yu Hong returns to Tumen while Li Ti and Zhou Wei emigrate to Germany. Won't tell you more details of what happens but in the end complete story for me is about how unprepared where the Chinese to live in the "new" Chinese society, more specific, how unprepared were to live in (so-called) "freedom". Very interesting story told, again, mixing fiction and fact.

I was absolutely mesmerized by first movie as I think I was in shock of watching the "perfect" mélange of European/Chinese visual and narrative styles and yes I had my "what is this" moment as how could I imagine what I was seeing with no previous reference? Soon enough I got involved, forgot about thinking and started to only enjoy the fantastic ride. Second movie came a bit as a downer as wonderful style becomes more arid, dry, has more light but there are lots of foggy/hazy/greyish scenes. Obviously the second movie style was used to complement the story narrative that also is a lot more arid, dry, grey than first part. Fantastic.

For occidental standards is a long movie as has 140 minutes, I'm used to see "long" movies but not often I can spend that amount of time in awe with my mouth open unable to stop watching for a second, unable to move. That's how much I was affected by this movie that I enjoyed beyond my wildest expectations, but then I had no expectations at all, so perhaps that's why I got the intense reaction.

I strongly recommend this movie (if you haven't seen it yet) as definitively is a must be seen for those that enjoy European, mainly French, cinema as well as excellent Chinese cinema. Not surprisingly share that I have to see "everything" by Lou Ye to understand more how he evolved his amazing storytelling style up to this 2006 film and how he continue evolving with his subsequent movies.

Big Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

Day 9 at 2012 Cannes

Today our first award ceremony which makes us realize that the end is near. Sigh.

Main Competition

Post Tenebras Lux by Carlos Reygadas

I've been waiting for so long for another Reygadas movie that my expectations were really high, if you wish to read about my spontaneous expectations please go here.

Then saw opening night clip and my expectations went down -still was denying the evident-; when poster and first clip were released I became speechless as no, I didn't like both. It is not until five days ago when teaser 2 was released, when the very-fast expectations crashing-down stopped, as is the only clip that contains images that I can relate to Reygadas. Last, yesterday after first press viewing, reliable critics' started to twit terrible comments about movie. I wasn't surprised, as when a serious filmmaker starts to release movie clips that look more like bad family videos, then something has to be wrong.

Still today serious reviews while not being strongly positive, claim to recognize Reygadas style in many moments; this gives me hope that I will be not that much disappointed. Sigh. Some general samples.

erickohn: "Post Tenebras Lux" is Reygadas' weakest movie, but frequently awe-inspiring nonetheless
Greg Chapman: I'll be the judge of that! Reygadas’ 'Post Tenebras Lux' Is Singularly Strange, But Not Especially Impressive
@Variety's Jay Weissberg on Carlos Reygadas' POST TENEBRAS LUX, which "makes Djuna Barnes feel like Dan Brown"

"No me ha gustado. Está sobre-intelectualizada. No es generosa. No es bella. Yo adoré las dos primeras, pero en esta no hay nada. No soy hostil a este cine pero esta no. Lo siento", declaró el crítico de la televisora privada gala, Canal Plus, Xavier Leherpeur. ... Por el contrario, medios españoles y algunos de otros países como Tailandia expresaron más respeto por la película "que tiene belleza y es diferente y siempre interesante", comentaron a esta agencia.

retweeted several times: "Post tenebras lux" de Carlos Reygadas se proyecto en el Festival de Cannes. Compite x La Palma de Oro. Termino abucheada x periodistas

This chaotic accumulation (aggravated by time distortions in the editing that are difficult to explain) may revolt the director’s critics, but is not a major problem for those who prefer an intuitive approach to his work. That having been said, one cannot however justify all excesses in Post Tenebras Lux because that would be taking one step too far.

The one comment that really makes sense to me after recalling reactions/comments about Batalla en el Cielo is this one:
"According to Twitter, POST TENEBRAS LUX is the greatest/worst thing ever. In other words, it's a Carlos Reygadas film"

Surely is better not to know so much about reactions but when you want to write about Cannes, de-facto you will learn too much. But I know will erase everything from my mind before watching. So let's go to the fun part.

Photocall has the director, his actors plus a producer and is peaceful, quiet. TVFestival de Cannes has Natalia Acevedo and Adolfo Jimenez plus Reygadas. A film "almost autobiographic", "my real son and daughter"; both are non-actors and Natalia speaks really good French. Watch in French as everyone is speaking that language. I already "know" Reygadas and like his personality, but if you're not familiar with him suggest to watch to "meet" him. Obviously there are no spoilers in interview, think is impossible to learn spoilers from this film. Haven't seen the violent images but as Jimenez says, yes happens in reality, I add: not only in Mexico but in other countries. Mexico bleeds, Mexico sangra... so true and in this context whatever is in his film surely will make sense.

Press conference also has Jaime Romendia, the producer. Yes the blur/haze is only in outdoor scenes done for esthetic purposes. As I already started to imagine, some tech specs come from Reygadas short in Revolucion... what he learned/liked. By the way many didn't liked that short, I love it. If I only watched videos and didn't paid attention to news then would have imagined that press actually liked the movie. Interesting. Humor in Reygadas? Well he says is there. Love the answer he gave to one journalist asking for the director to do their job. He blushes, his face gets red after the Spanish-language writers question, hmm... why? Too many answers in my head. But answer comes later and one that I imagined and highly understand "me hice el loco" [para no contestar] (avoided to mention names). Pictorial tradition... interesting... and there is a lot of truth. Smart, very smart press conferences.

Sometimes is better not to read much, this is one of those times. Let see what happens when finally I'm able to see movie.

Does Reygadas has chances with this film? I think that Reygadas will always have opportunities in Cannes, but maybe as it happened with Batalla en el Cielo, his film will not collect honors this year.

The Paperboy by Lee Daniels

I couldn't watch Precious but seems that I have to watch Nicole Kidman playing what today was called "White Trash Slut" and "Oversexed Barbie Doll", I won't miss that no matter if film is not that good. The good news for me is that one of my favorite critics twitted "I loved the lurid, ridiculous, overblown The Paperboy. Bad cinema at its best" and we usually have the same taste for certain kind of movies. Great.

If you wish to read my spontaneous expectation go here.

Photocall is must be seen if only to see Nicole Kidman dressed in a color that absolute makes her look glorious. But also to catch a glimpse of John Cusack -I like him a lot and think he is very handsome- and well, the other actors too. Hope to find a free photo with Nicole and John, have seen it at the not-free site. TVFestival de Cannes has the same cast/crew as photocall. Interviewers says film has a different style (than Precious), I say great. Matthew McConaughey: "the reality not the morality" "everyone is wonderful dysfunctional". Great answer by John ... that finishes with "I listened to Bob Dylan". Watch it is very brief as seems don't want to talk about the "morality" of this film. Let's see what happens in the press conference.

Press conference has the same group. The Almodovar relationship comes first, great as haven't been able to learn story. Oh! gosh having fun, real fun! Laugh hard with reactions to Zac Efron "eroticize" question. Drying my eyes while Matthew talks so seriously... the moment is gone, agwh. True, agree with Daniels when speaking about merging good actors and not-to-easy to finance films. Oh! Matthew plays homosexual. I think I'm enjoying this press conference a lot more than what I imagined and yes is turning around my first impressions. Love the way John looks at Nicole while she's talking. Very interesting comments, suggest you watch.

I should thank someone or something that makes me watch so many movies not caring if I would like them or not, as many times films surprise me. But I'm grateful, like today, when I see a "different" side from directors/actors as definitively change my perceptions, stimulate my imagination and make wish to see their films. If only I could do this press conference "thing" more often. Truly good experience for me to see the press conference video.

Red carpet video starts with Nicole signing autographs, dress is too pale after the one she wore this morning. Oh! Kidman husband, what's his name? Keith Urban. Is okay, watch only for entertainment purposes.

Seems that after tonight premiere at the Grand Theatre reaction from audience was different than from press, as there was a 10-minute standing ovation.

Does Lee Daniels have chances in Cannes? Not sure about movie, but just from what I learned today about Kidman character plus previous buzz, I know she is the other big contender for the actor top award, along with Cotillard. Still there could be surprises, sentimental surprises. But let's hope award goes to Kidman or Cotillard.

Un Certain Regard

Miss Lovely by Ashim Ahluwalia

Admit I'm interested in movie that seems could be interesting for story, about India's C grade films (a blend of horror, gangsters and porn), and great visuals; synopsis is really long so if wish to learn more about film suggest go here where you can also watch a long clip/trailer.

Thierry Fremaux pitched movie by saying "Mean Streets meets Boogie Nights" and after watching clip can tell you that his pitch is very accurate, almost literal. But maybe is the headline "a Baroque fairytale in the Bollywood slums" more accurate. Nevertheless, clip images suggest great visual trip, which is explainable as director videos have been exhibited at the Tate, MoMa and Centre Pompidou.

Will watch as soon as comes near me.

Trois Mondes by Chaterine Corsini

Corsini returns to Cannes after being in competition with amazing 2001 La Repetition (yes THAT movie with Emmanuelle Beart and Pascale Bussieres) now telling a story of three very different characters all being 30-years-old. The synopsis.

Al, a young man from a modest background is about to marry his boss’ daughter, along with succeeding him as the head of a car dealership. One night, while coming back from his bachelor party, he is guilty of a hit-and-run accident, urged by his two childhood friends present in the car. The next day, gnawed with guilt, Al decides to inquire about his victim. What he does not know is that Juliette, a young woman, has witnessed the entire accident from her balcony. She is the one who had called 911 and helped the victim’s wife Vera, a Moldavian illegal-immigrant.
But when Juliette recognizes Al as the reckless driver in the Hospital corridor, she is unable to denounce him…

Don't need to learn much about movie as I know will watch the moment that comes near me, but if you wish to see film clips go here.

Special Screenings

The Central Park Five by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David Mcmahon

Not particularly attracted to film because story, this is the synopsis.

In 1989, five black and Latino teenagers from Harlem were arrested and later convicted of raping a white woman in New York City’s Central Park. They spent between 6 and 13 years in prison before a serial rapist confessed that he alone had committed the crime, leading to their convictions being overturned. Set against a backdrop of a decaying city beset by violence and racial tension, the film tells the story of that horrific crime, the rush to judgment by the police, a media clamoring for sensational stories and an outraged public, and the five lives upended by this miscarriage of justice.

To read more about documentary go here.

Cinéfondation

Short Films Program 2 with the following shorts, Abigail by Matthew James Reilly, Pude Ver un Puma (Could See a Puma) by Eduardo Williams, Slug Invasion by Morten Helgeland and Casper Wermuth, and Les Ravissements (The Raptures) by Arthur Cahn

Cannes Classics

Les Barbouzes (The Great Spy Chase) by Georges Lautner

A 1964 comedy about four secret agents working for four different governments looking for the same top secret document. To read more about movie and watch clips go here.

Around the Selection

Today History Masterclass with Normand Lloyd and to read more go here.

Quinzaine

Dae Gi Eui Wang (King of Pigs) by Sang-ho Yeun

Violent story animation is not my kind of movie at all but have to mention that South Korean animation looks and feels with top-animation quality. Still violence in clip and story will not make me watch film. The synopsis.

Kyung-min, a businessman, and Jong-suk, a failed writer, are former schoolmates. During a reunion dinner they look back on their school days, when a particularly cruel group of students, "the dogs", exercised a reign of terror by hazing and bullying part of the other students, the "pigs". One day, Kim Chul, one of their mates, stood up to the "dogs", becoming the only hope of ending their tyranny. Fifteen years on, he remains a hero. But behind this figure, the two men recall the murky story of their bond.

Dangerous Liaisons by Hur Jin-ho

At first asked myself, do I want to see another version of this quite often told story? My spontaneous answer was no. Then saw cast, immediately became MUST BE SEEN for me, as star is Ziyi Zhang. Here is synopsis.

As war looms in Shanghai, glamorous libertine Mo Jieyu runs into womanizer Xie Yifan, an ex boyfriend who's never stopped loving her, and persuades him to play a treacherous game. She must seduce the innocent and naïve Du Fenyu and then dump her. But the game becomes increasingly dangerous as Xie falls in love with Du. Set in 1930s Shanghai the glamorous, tumultuous « Paris of the East » this is an adaptation of the French novel « Les Liaisons dangereuses » by Choderlos de Laclos.

Really enjoy Ziyi's performances and of course will not miss the opportunity to watch a Chinese cinema movie -which I simply love-, so no matter whatever I think about story, was going to watch this Must Be Seen movie.

Short Films Program 2 will screen the following shorts, Portret z pamieci (Drawn From Memory) by Marcin Bortkiewicz, The Curse by Fyzal Boulifa, Tram by Michaela Pavlatova, Os Mortos-vivos (The Living Dead) by Anita Rocha da Silveira, and Wrong Cops by Quentin Dupieux.

Semaine de la Critique

Award Ceremony - check post for award winners.

Two closing short films.
Walker by Tsai Ming-Liang
Mesmerizing and visually stunning 27 minutes no dialogue short film is absolutely MUST BE SEEN for me. Watch trailer here.

Manha de Santo Antonio (Morning of Saint Anthony's Day) by JoãoPedro Rodrigues
Not much info available, just one photo and the following synopsis.
Tradition says that on June 13th, Saint Anthony’s Day – Lisbon’s patron -, lovers must offer small vases of basil with paper carnations and flags with popular quatrains as a token of their love.

Invitation a Nisi Masa Cine-boat: 6 short films
A European network of young cinema, NISI MASA brings together associations from 26 different countries. Strengthened by the diversity of its members, NISI MASA is able to experiment in every direction: script contests, scriptwriting and directing workshops, distribution of short films, publications, conferences etc…

Today the 2012 catalog is up with info about everything that happened in La Semaine; suggest you check the 80 pages catalog here.

L'ACID

Today Noor by Çağla Zencirci & Guillaume Giovanetti film that calls my attention and has gay interest. The synopsis.

Noor wants to be a man. He doesn’t belong anymore to the Khusras, Pakistan’s transgender community. And he is definitely done with the love story he had with one of them, that had drastically changed his life. Now, he is doing a man’s job in a truck decoration center and he’s made up his mind : he will find a girl who will accept him as he is...

Not only story seems interesting but films seems to have outstanding visuals, suggest to look film stills here.

Cannes News

Announced, but not yet at official site, is the winner of the L'Atelier prize for best project. Winner is: In Your name by Dutch Marco van Geffen. Will confirm when news are posted at Official site.

Today two films will have an "exclusive" preview at Cannes. First Nicolas Winding Refn Only God Forgives with Ryan Goslin; second, Must Be Seen for me, The Grandmasters by Wong Kar-wai.

Sarah Gadon and Emily Hampshire win the first Birks Canadian Diamond award in Telefilm Canada's Tribute to Canadian Talent.

Not really Cannes news, but very interesting that Lea Seydoux gets lead role in French version of Beauty and the Beast with Vincent Cassel and Gerard Depardieu.

Cannes market continues in Cinando, where also and ony IF you're a paying member will be able to stream ALL films in La Semaine.

Not-so-serious Comments

Americans continue to play their Oscar game, still with the same movies -different source-; but includes one film, Pablo Larrain's NO as possible Chile submission to Oscar. I say no doubt film has all the right credentials, but country procedure works in "mysterious" ways plus Larrain seems to me, is not that loved in Chile. What do you think?

Love black and white photography and have admit that there are some from last night with Robert Pattinson that are really good photos. Sigh.

In Cannes, Tara Reid, Heidi Klum, Chris Tucker, Ivana Trump, Antonio Banderas.

Photo of the Day

Two great actors.

Day 5 at 2012 Cannes

Hard to believe that 5 days have gone by and that we have learned about 9 of the 22 films in competition. Today is another exciting Cannes day for me as the two films screened in competition today are from directors that I highly appreciate their work.

Main Competition

Amour (Love) by Michael Haneke

Today is the day that will learn as little as possible about this movie so if you wish to know about my expectations please go here.

Photocall obviously is must be seen for Isabelle Huppert fans and I'm one of them. Also many actors should watch this photocall to learn how to behave in front of many cameras and people screaming. Suddenly got the non-pleasant "I'm-getting-old" feeling. Ah! movie will not be easy to watch for me as I already imagined. TVFestival de Cannes interview touches my heart especially Jean-Louis Trintignant; but there are interesting answers by Haneke and Huppert, watch it.

Press conference starts by calling Tritignant a "vivant National Treasure" and first question is about his return to cinema after 14 years absence. I'm laughing, very elegant jokes by Tritignant. Haneke repeats what he said in interview that is something like "la souffrance that comes near you when you reach certain age"... oh! learning more than I wish to learn but will continue watching. SO true, actors don't suffer with Haneke, is the audience that suffers! LOVE Tritignant elegant jokes that make me laugh.

Quote from press conference by Michael Haneke on the fact that his film is not an act of disclosure
I never write a movie to prove anything. When you reach a certain age, you are inevitably going to be affected by suffering. I don't want to show anything more than that, there is no more to it. And that's why I shot the film in an apartment. I did not want to go into a hospital room, which is something we have seen and reseen. There was therefore no reason to change anything. At the end of the day, I am very happy to have made a simple film.

Yes Haneke calls his film "simple", still I don't believe it as in my mind is impossible to imagine Haneke being simple and I'm sure film will not be simple as if I believe headlines and spontaneous reaction in twitter, that tells about reliable critics' absolute approval -couldn't expect less-, there has to be nothing simple in this film.

Video shows us a very wet red carpet (stormy rain in Cannes) that starts with competition jury marching once more "the steps" while getting really wet but I believe that they know that they are working. Next Amour entire crew with Isabelle looking impressively great in her bronze dress; yes they also get quite wet.

Haneke will get honors with this movie, a best actor award could go to Tritignant that I'm sure will have a great performance; but I wonder about fest top awards for this film, still you never know how honor-deserving a Haneke film is until you see it, so refuse to play the guessing game with Haneke.

By the time I see movie all that I learned today will be erased from my memory as I like to watch Haneke with an "empty/blank" mind and I strongly recommend you do that. Yes a Must Be Seen movie for me.

Jagten (The Hunt) by Thomas Vinterberg

I like Vinterberg's filmmaking style and his previous film Submarino shook my emotions with its hard-to-watch story, great actors performances and grim reality style. I have similar expectations with this film even when story seems to be quite different, check synopsis.

Following a tough divorce, 40-year-old Lucas has a new girlfriend, a new job and is in the process of reestablishing his relationship with his teenage son, Marcus. But things go awry. Not a lot. Just a passing remark. A random lie. And as the snow falls and the Christmas lights are lit, the lie spreads like an invisible virus. The shock and mistrust gets out of hand, and the small community suddenly finds itself in a collective state of hysteria, while Lucas fights a lonely fight for his life and dignity.

Then Mads Mikkelsen is one of my favorite actors when he's in an European movie and do not speak English, this is one of those films.

In photocall is nice to see so many good-looking people together, enjoy! TVFestival de Cannes video allows us to learn that director sees film as having a love story; Vinterberg says that Mads is "very pretty" and definitively I'm one that agrees. Interview has spoilers but is fun to watch and answers are great. Suggest you watch.

Press conference first question goes right into spoiling the story for me, ugh, but it's done now I really know what movie is all about and know that story will not be easy to watch. Is about child molestation but in this case, adult is innocent. Press conference is full of spoilers but I continue to watch, somehow can't stop watching. Very nice press conference that will absolutely spoil the story but is fascinating to watch especially, Vintenberg great precise answers. Suggest to watch even when you do not like to learn story spoilers.

What follows is a press conference quote where Vinterberg describes the rumor theme.
The film takes place in the microcosm of a village where information spreads quickly, like a virus. Through the Internet, the world's become a small village full of rumors. But what matters most in this film is the love between the characters. They try to get close to one another despite the misunderstandings.

Thomas Vinterberg history with Cannes is not long but he first came with 1998 Festen that went to win the Jury Prize (ex aequo with Claude Miller's Class Trip), so it's a successful story that could mean he could get recognition this time. If there could be a concern is the story theme, but I believe that jury members will not be shocked with story and also could consider Mads for the Best Actor award.

So what do I exactly expect from this movie now that I learned quite too much from story? Exactly the same I said in the opening paragraph before learning so much about story. Yes it is Must Be Seen for me.

Un Certain Regard

La Pirogue by Moussa Touré

Senegalese director presents his fictional account of the clandestine voyages from Africa to Europe and I'm sure story will not be easy to watch as tells about Senegalese people trying to reach the Canary Islands. This is the synopsis.

Baye Laye is the captain of a fishing pirogue. Like many of his Senegalese compatriots, he sometimes dreams of new horizons, where he can earn a better living for his family. When he is offered to lead one of the many pirogues that head towards Europe via the Canary Island, he reluctantly accepts the job, knowing full-well the dangers that lie ahead. Leading a group of 30 men who don't all speak the same language, some of whom have never seen the sea, Baye Laye will confront many perils in order to reach the distant coasts of Europe.

Even if film surely will have great visuals, story does not appeal to me. Think will skip it.

La Confession d'un Enfant du Siècle (Confession of a Child of the Century) by Sylvie Verheyde

Spontaneously I've been torn about this movie as from clips I find very famous Pete Doherty character performance quite repelling, still I have hopes that Charlotte Gainsbourg performance plus her Cannes comments could improve my perceptions. Then to my huge surprise Charlotte is not in Cannes! Oh.

Anyway director returns to Cannes after presenting in 1997 Un Frere at a parallel section; but I know her better for her films Princesses and Stella. If I was not familiar with Verheyde style I will think that film will be very classic as is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Alfred de Musset, but even do is a period film I expect that Verheyde's style will be all over film. This is the film synopsis.

Paris, 1830.
Octave, betrayed by his mistress, sinks into despair and debauchery: the "disease of the century". The death of his father takes him to the country where he meets Brigitte, a young widow who is ten years his elder. Octave falls in love passionately, again. But will he have the courage to believe in it ?

Surely will watch as I do see everything with Charlotte Gainsbourg, but my expectations are rather low.

Special Screenings

Les Invisibles by Sébastien Lifshitz

Lifshitz returns to Cannes after 14 years when his doc Les Corps Ouverts was screened at a parallel section; his new documentary tells about men and women born between the wars who have nothing in common except for their homosexuality and their decision to live openly at a time when society rejected them. They've loved, struggled, desired, made love. Today they tell us about their pioneering lives, and how they navigated the desire to remain ordinary with the need to liberate themselves in order to thrive. They were fearless.

Believe this documentary has to be surprising for those that believe that living "out of closet" is a "new/recent" event as no, there are many LGTB people that lived their homosexuality openly in very earlier times, even Americans -but some Americans chose to do so in Europe rather than in America. Anyway this has to be a very interesting documentation of a long gone era and from clips I have seen know that I'll be watching.

A quote from an interview with the director that you can read here.

Why did you choose the title: Les Invisibles?
The media is not interested in old people, let alone old homosexual people, who themselves seem to accept this fate by withdrawing from social life. The word "invisible" seemed to me particularly apt at describing these men and women who are missing from any representation.

Villegas by Gonzalo Tobal

First feature film by Tobal that already has a significant story at Cannes with his short films. These credentials make me interested in watching film and clips that saw today for the first time confirm that has an interesting storytelling style that lately predominates in Argentinean non-commercial films. The following is the synopsis.

After a long time without seeing each other, two cousins, Esteban and Pipa, have to drive together to their grandfather’s funeral in Villegas, small inland town where they grew up together. This coming back soon turns into an intense emotional journey, punctuated by the reunions, the weight of the past and the end of an era.

Surely a film that I'm looking forward to watch.

Out of Competition

Today Une Journée Particulière (A Special Day) by Gilles Jacobs, a film that I don't doubt will be interesting to watch but know will be very hard to find, sigh.

The 60th Cannes Anniversary was honored by the presence of 34 international renowned filmmakers invited to present their collective body of work, To Each His Own Cinema. The line-up included Gus van Sant, The Coen brothers, Aki Kaurismäki, Roman Polanski, Nanni Moretti, Ken Loach, Bille August, Chen Kaige, Abbas Kiarostami, Walter Salles, Wong Kar-Wai, Elia Suleiman,Takeshi Kitano, Claude Lelouch, the Dardenne brothers, Zhang Yimou, Atom Egoyan, Tsai Ming Liang and Jane Campion. On the day their films were to be screened, the directors were followed and filmed from morning to night, becoming a "day in the life" insight of some of the most important directors in the world. Watch clips here.

Obviously is Must Be Seen for me but I know that will take a long time to be able to watch; wish someone could make easier the distribution of Cannes stories films.

Cannes Classics

Today Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis by Gregg Barson a doc that -according to promo clip at Cannes site- seems to belong more in E! TV than in Cannes. Not interested in watching; but probably will watch when available at any Encore or Starz channel only because was in Cannes.

Cinéma de la Plage

Tonight Sean Connery returns in Guy Halminton's Diamonds Are Forever a movie that immediately makes me sing the title song but also makes me think about one of the best Bond villians, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, and Jill St. John in her most iconic role.

As we know film is screening to celebrate the 007 Anniversary, a celebration that will last one year and that is just starting in Cannes.

Quinzaine

Adieu Berthe, l’enterrement de mémé (Granny’s Funeral) by Bruno Podalydès

Not really a fan of French comedies and from clips film seems like a comedy but maybe is not the regular mainstream fare as after all is in the Quinzaine. Watch clips here and this is the synopsis.

Granny is dead. Berthe is no more. Armand's grandmother had sort of slipped his mind... Armand runs a pharmacy in the Paris suburbs with his wife, Helene. In a medicine cabinet he hides his magical equipment - he's secretly preparing a show for the daughter... of his lover, Alix. And Granny? Should she be buried or cremated? Who was Berthe?

Not sure what to think about this film.

Infancia Clandestina by Benjamín Ávila

Film called my attention since I learned what story was all about, so let's first share the synopsis.

Argentina 1979. After years of exile, 12-year-old Juan and his family come back to Argentina under fake identities. Juan's parents and his uncle Beto are members of the Montoneros Organization, which is fighting against the Military Junta that rules the country. Because of their political activities they are being tracked down relentlessly. His friends at school and the girl he loves, Maria, know him as Ernesto, a name he must not forget, his family's survival being at stake. This is a story about militancy, undercover life and love. The story of a clandestine childhood.

Next I suggest you watch trailer and clips here so you can see that well-known actors are in film. Don't need more, know that will watch debut film (competing for the Camera d'Or) by Avila and the wait will be hard to sustain. Must Be Seen for me.

Yek khanévadéh-e mohtaram (A Respectable Family) by Massoud Bakhshi

Story in films seems interesting and from clips think this Iranian film could be similar to other Iranian films I have seen; check clips here and this is the synopsis.

Arash is an Iranian academic who lives in the West. He returns to Iran to teach in Chiraz, a city far from Tehran where his mother lives. Drawn into a series of domestic and financial dramas, he is reminded of the hardships of his childhood at the start of the Iran-Iraq War in 1981. Following the death of his father and the discovery of what his « respectable family » has become, he is obliged to make choices.

Yes I'm interested in watching Bakhshi debut film.

Semaine de la Critique

Hors Le Murs by David Lambert

Today the film that I believe has more chance to win this year's Queer Palm as not only has gay interest but also is more your usual genre film -even when I know that being film in this section has to have something unusual. This is the synopsis.

Paulo, a young pianist living an ambivalent life with Anka, meets Ilir, a loner bass player. It’s love at first sight and they start living on love alone. The day Paulo promises to love him for life, Ilir leaves town for a concert, and never comes back…

Debut film by Belgian Lambert promises to be a film that could transcend genre audiences and clips here maybe will give you the same impression.

Not dying to watch film, but I know will watch eventually.

L'ACID


Today The End by Moroccan Hicham Lasri with a synopsis that reads as follows

A crazy baroque and political remake of Romeo and Juliet in Casablanca.

The use of black and white plus the "crazy" part in the synopsis stimulate my imagination, so maybe I'll give this movie a try.

Cannes News

Today Asghar Farhadi received the Media Prize given by the European Union. The MEDIA Prize is awarded to the best project, with strong international circulation potential, submitted by an author and his European producer. Is not in the news but I imagine that his next project is the subject of the next paragraph news.



Was announced that Tahir Rahim will co star with Marion Cotillard in the already announced Asghar Farhadi project; fantastic news as I like everyone that's getting attached to this project.

If you wish to know who leads the Screen's Cannes competition poll with the most stars, Mungiu's film with 3.2 stars out of 4, not so close followed by Audiard's film with 2.9 stars.

Today on the Scandinavian Terrace Swedish Malin Buska was presented as the lead in Finnish director Mika Kaurismäki’s Kristina of Sweden; not many will spontaneously make the relationship but Buska will be stepping into the shoes of Swedish Greta Garbo who played the part in Ruben Mamoulian's 1933 Queen Christina.

Other Activities

Many parties last night but one that has great photos is the Vanity Fair And Gucci Party.

In Cannes today Cheryl Cole, Roman Polanski, OH! Mylene Jampanoi (in a great photo with Xavier Dolan and Suzanne Clement at Amour premiere), Nadine Labaki, Sophie Marceau. No longer in Cannes, Shia Labeouf, Naomi Watts and Paz Vega.

Photo of the Day

Great Isabelle Huppert.