Cannes 2012

Today is the best day to start to talk about the 2012 Festival de Cannes as the poster was released a few moments ago.

Cannes will be 65 this year and to celebrate the occasion pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe who has been selected as the icon for the 2012 Festival and as you can see is the object of a beautiful piece of work.

From the press announcement: "Fifty years after her death, Marilyn is still a major figure in world cinema, an eternal icon, whose grace, mystery and power of seduction remain resolutely contemporary.

Each of her screen appearances sparks the imagination. The Festival poster captures Marilyn by surprise in an intimate moment where myth meets reality – a moving tribute to the anniversary of her passing, which coincides with the Festival anniversary.

She enchants us with this promising gesture: a seductively blown kiss.

The Festival is a temple of glamour and Marilyn is its perfect incarnation. Their coming together symbolises the ideal of simplicity and elegance."

Bronx agency, Paris, created the poster from a photo by Otto L. Bettmann and will produce all the graphics for the 2012 Festival.

On other news one of my favorite contemporary Italian directors will be the President of the Jury, I'm talking about none other than great Nanni Moretti.

Accepting the invitation, the Italian actor and director said: “This is a real joy, an honour and a tremendous responsibility to preside over the jury of the most prestigious festival of cinematography in the world, a festival that is held in a country where film has always been treated with interest and respect.

As a director, I was always very moved when my films were presented at the Festival de Cannes. I also have very happy memories of my experience as a jury member during the fiftieth anniversary season, and of the attentiveness and passion that went into the jury’s viewing and discussion of all the films.

As a spectator, fortunately I still have the same curiosity that I had in my youth and so it is a great privilege for me to embark on this voyage into the world of contemporary international film.”

In less than what we can think of, May 16 will be here and the mother of all Festivals will once again start for the glory of extraordinary Cinema. Festival will run from May 16 to 27 and will keep you all up-to-date with the announcements that I know will start to pour next month. Excellent, I survived to live another great party. Yay!

Cheers!