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.

Day 4 at 2012 Cannes

Today's program is fantastic with great recent and older films.

Main Competition

După dealuri (Beyond the Hills) by Cristian Mungiu

Extremely excited that one of my favorite directors, the one that made learn a new language and introduced me to Romanian New Wave cinema, has a new film.

I expect an intense emotional experience and outstanding visuals, more great visuals than what we got from his masterpiece Palme d'Or winner 4 luni, 3 săptămâni şi 2 zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) as story allows him to create fantastic outdoor compositions, check impressive clip here. If you wish to learn more about my expectations go here.

Photocall introduces me to the cast and only if wish to meet them watch video. TV Festival de France interviewer says that's a "love story" oh, my hopes improve, even do I know that lesbian interest is absolutely non-essential for me to be excited about this movie, still it is a big plus. Interview -in general- confirms that my expectations are in this film, there are some little spoilers moments that I didn't mind learning, suggest to watch if you wish to learn more about movie.

Press conference allows me to learn that story is more about "intimate friendship" between two women, which definitively motivates me to stop thinking about this non-essential issue, great as this expectation was starting to annoy me. Answers about tech specs are very exciting... perhaps I should not watch more as I'm raising even more my expectations. They're starting to asks questions about "the meaning" and no, I don't want to learn anything about Mungiu's (or any other) story interpretation before watching film. Better stop watching but I was highly enjoying Mungiu's very concrete answers. Watch only if you do not mind spoilers.

Red carpet was during day time, so looks and feels informal, there is an interview with Mungiu that gives more spoilers (sigh). We can see the Dardenne brothers who are film co-producers. Upsets me that there are very few press photographers as this is a film that really deserves media exposure.

Have to admit that checked in Twitter reactions to this film. English press comments are divided, some say is good while others call it a disappointment; Romanian comments tend to be positive, French comments also are positive, while Spanish comments tend to follow English reactions. My net take away, if I consider these reactions, is that I will like this film that has to have more European style than Mungiu's first film, which to me is just excellent!

Think will share something I already know about the story told in this film which probably is generating some not-positive reactions. This film is inspired on a true story that happened in Romania and yes, includes an exorcism that was done in the real life story. So, no surprises -in this sense- for you and me when we watch film.

Obviously film is Must Be Seen for me.

Lawless by John Hillcoat

Trailer (here) and good cast excited me and gave me hopes to have a good entertainment escape moment, let see if what I'll be learning today change my expectations.

Watch photocall only to see the fantastic cast this movie has, great Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, and Guy Pearce. TV Festival de Cannes is dry as interviewers did not changed his usual style and this group told him he already answered whatever he was asking, which I think is true. Only exception is Jessica that tries harder to answer, lovely and Guy Pierce. Video is kind of entertaining but nothing else, so if you skip will not miss much.

Press conference starts quite animated and as expected -after interview- is entertaining with more silly/funny answers than serious ones. Director is about the only one that gives interesting answers. But then press questions are not that good. Hillcoat gives very interesting comments about the state-of-the-cinema business in America. Finally Jessica and Mia are talking, both give good answers. Yes is true, Jessica was last year with two films and again this year with two films, quite an accomplishment for a young actress, isn't? Impressive, Jessica and Mia intervention changed the press conference mood that turned more serious and interesting. Video is entertaining with some irrelevant moments and some serious moments; yes think I'll recommend seeing both for entertaining purposes as well as for learning interesting aspects about film.


Red carpet video is worth watching just to see how beautiful Mia and Jessica are. Have to admit that I'm kind of disappointed by the performance the male cast/crew gave in Cannes, perhaps is their first time in fest or maybe in real life they're arrogant, but they have to know that they're working and the many eyes that watch Cannes deserve their respect as is not only the media who are watching them.

After all I have seen my expectations did not changed a bit, still expecting more an entertaining escape moment; which makes me wonder why this film is in the selection. Well let's hope there is more than what I expect.

My Twitter exploration mostly takes me into English comments that approve film for being "gripping, bloody and characterful", but there are some with sarcastic comments like "doesn't deserve to be part of the competition... wait, producer is Harvey Weinstein" ... reliable critics' comments tend to be not positive "cocktail of violence and sentimentality", "macho-sentimental violence".

Un Certain Regard

Les Chevaux de Dieu (God's Horses) by Nabil Ayouch

First time in Cannes director has a film that seems to have quite impressive visuals (trailer) but surely story will not be that easy to watch as was inspired by the terrorist attacks on May 16, 2003 in Casablanca, Morocco. This is the film synopsis.

Yachine is 10 years old, he lives with his family in the slum of Sidi Moumen in Casablanca. His mother, Yemma, leads the family as best as she can. His father suffers from depression, one of his brothers is in the army, another is almost autistic and the third, Hamid, 13, is the boss of the local neighborhood and Yachine’s protector. When Hamid is sent to jail, Yachine takes up jobs after jobs, though empty, to get free from the doldrums of violence, misery and drugs. Released from prison, Hamid, now an Islamic fundamentalist, persuades Yachine and his pals to join their "brothers". The Imam, Abou Zoubeir, their spiritual leader, starts to direct their long-standing physical and mental preparation.
One day, he tells them they have been chosen to become martyrs.

Not my kind of movie mainly because story; but visuals and great visual compositions definitely call my attention. If comes near me and I find the right mood maybe I'll watch it.

Antiviral by Brandon Cronenberg

I imagine that being David Cronenberg's son is not easy, especially when son follows the father steps; consequently I'm trying to be fair and forget the connection. Is not until this moment that I'm able to watch a clip from this movie at Cannes site and definitively I'm impressed with Cronenberg's storytelling style but what tells me that this could be a "crazy" movie is the synopsis.

Syd March is an employee at a clinic that sells injections of live viruses harvested from sick celebrities to obsessed fans. Biological communion - for a price. Syd also supplies illegal samples of these viruses to piracy groups, smuggling them from the clinic in his own body. When he becomes infected with the disease that kills super sensation Hannah Geist, Syd becomes a target for collectors and rabid fans. He must unravel the mystery surrounding her death before he suffers the same fate.

Twitter tells very funny comments that tell approval like "Brandon Cronenberg definitively was not adopted"; but serious reviewers tend to not spontaneously give something about movie, "I'm still not sure" says one -which I don't really know how to interpret it as there are two possibilities: be careful what you write as is about Cronenberg son or is a film that stays with you and later will become clear. But in general seems there is film approval in English for those that stay the whole film as seems some left theater.

My expectations rotate around great visuals in a horror story that could be crazy/creepy. As some of you know I do not enjoy horror films, so am I going to skip this film? Are you kidding, there is no way I'll skip this film by David Cronenberg's son, have to see it even if I get repulsed by story.

Out of Competition

The Sapphires by Wayne Blair

I'm very curious about this film that trailer plus synopsis made me wish I had to learn about the real story and the play, which immediately I did. Afterwards my curiosity was risen even more.

Film is based on an award winning play with the same name written by Tony Briggs about a singing group of four Koori women who tour Vietnam during the war, a story that's inspired in the true story of Briggs mother and aunt. Briggs co wrote the movie screenplay which is directed by Wayne Blair, who was an actor in the play. The group, the play and how they did the movie are very fascinating stories, but Blair's movie seems destined to captivate world audiences as seems like a feelgood movie. Check the film synopsis.

1968 was the year the planet went haywire. All around the globe, there were riots and revolution in the streets. There were hard drugs, soft drugs, free love and psychedelic music. There was the shock of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy’s assassinations. And dominating every other news story. There was Vietnam. For four gorgeous young women from a remote Aboriginal mission, 1968 was the year that changed their lives forever. Sisters Gail, Julie and Cynthia, together with their cousin Kay, are discovered by Dave, a down-on-his-luck Irish musician with attitude, a taste for Irish Whiskey and an ear for Soul Music. Dave steers the girls away from their Country & Western origins then flies them to the war-zones of South Vietnam, where they sing Soul Classics for the American Marines. On tour in the Mekong Delta, the girls sing up a storm, dodge bullets. And fall in love.

I strongly suggest you read this Cannes site article as briefly tells about movie historical context. Yes this is women-centered story about what Australia was like in 1968 and which Blair sees as a way of paying homage to his Aborigine grand-mother, a passionate fan of soul music, who died in 1966 as a foreigner in her own country.

Think I like too much the story and I hope the movie is as good as the story and the award-winning play reviews are.

Red carpet video is available if you wish to meet/see the actors in this film, especially well-known Chris O'Dowd. Twitter very active Mister Thierry Fremaux after premiere was over twitted that audience gave an interminable applause.

Special Screenings

Today Dario Argento's Dracula 3D by the master of Giallo with his daughter Asia Argento and Rutger Hauer that no, I have no interest in watching as Giallo is not my cinema genre at all. But know that genre and director fans will like to watch this film.

Cannes Classics

Today Cannes Classics screens two movies that are really classics in my book.

The Ring by Alfred Hitchcock

"One of the first full-length movies directed by the master of suspense: a silent film where a love triangle tears itself apart against a background of boxing and the fairground" That is how the article at Cannes site starts, which I suggest you read it.

Master filmmaker Hitchcock deserves that this digitally restored by the British Film Institute is released in Blu ray so it can end up in my collection.

Lawrence of Arabia by David Lean

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the film Cannes is screening in restored print by Sony Pictures Entertainment one of the greatness film in cinema history and undoubtedly David Lean's masterpiece. Restored version was made from the Director's Cut in 1989 and includes 21 minutes of unreleased footage, bringing the total running time to 3 hours 42 minutes. Hope they release a Blu ray as this is a version I would simply LOVE to see even when I still remember the story and the absolutely impressive Peter O'Toole performance, but film also have other great performances by Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Alec Guinnes, Jose Ferrer and more.


Around the Selection

Leçon de Musique Masterclass by Alexandre Desplat

Today in a packed room Alexandre Desplat gave his Masterclass about a personal history of film music. Interesting is to learn that Desplat has composed the music to all Jacques Audiard films. If you wish to learn more go here.

Cinéma de la Plage

Today Le Farceur (The Joker) by Philippe Broca a light French film that I saw a long-long time ago with very young Anouk Aimée and Jean-Pierre Cassel. Suggest you read more here and watch movie clip.

Quinzaine

La Sirga by William Vega

Trailer gives you the idea that film will be very visual with glorious slow pace but synopsis tells you that not all will be enjoyable in this film, check synopsis

Alicia is helpless. Fleeing the armed violence that has claimed the lives of those dearest to her, she ends up in La Sirga, at the guesthouse of Oscar, the only family she has left. Here, on the shores of a great lake in the Andes, she tries to rebuild her life. But this place, where she feels safe, is not spared by the fighting. The return of Freddy, the son that Oscar has been awaiting for years, his enigmatic intentions and his possible link with the warring factions bring La Sirga what Alicia fears the most.

Spontaneously this Colombian, French and Mexican production gave the impression that I was watching a Reygadas film but probably is only because trailer has a very good scenes edition. Check trailer here.

Film calls my attention and will watch when comes near me.

El Taaib by Merzak Allouache

After finally watching clips, film seems like a movie to watch because the story it tells and don't particularly find story interesting. This is the synopsis.

Algeria region of the high flatlands. As Islamist groups continue to spread terror, Rashid, a young Jihadist, leaves the mountains to return to his village. In keeping with the law « of pardon and national harmony », he has to surrender to the police and give up his weapon. He thus receives amnesty and becomes a « repenti ». But the law cannot erase his crimes and for Rachid it's the beginning of a one-way journey of violence, secrets and manipulation.

La Noche de Enfrente by Raoul Ruiz

As a special screenings Raoul Ruiz first posthumous oeuvre that I'm sure is screened to honor the prolific director. Can't say that I enjoyed all his films but this one was his going-back-to-Chile film which makes it more interesting for me. This is the film synopsis:Three ages of a man who sees death approach overlap. Raoul Ruiz's film testament.

What do I expect from film? Lots of fantasy presented as reality and lots of reality presented as fantasy, which is what director does in many of his films plus short stories in which film is inspired suggest magic could be also in film. Also expect an exploration of death, dying.

Not looking forward to watch film but know that eventually I will.

Semaine de la Critique

God's Neighbors by Meni Yaesh

Know too little about this film to have an opinion as only have seen a few scenes, some film stills and the following synopsis.

Rules must be followed. For the “supervisors” of a Bat Yam neighborhood in Israel, this means ensuring that women are dressed appropriately, that people respect Shabbat, or that Arabs from Jaffa don’t enter the neighborhood with music blaring from their cars. Avi, Kobi and Yaniv are young and know how to fight. Avi is their leader. The group’s dynamic is challenged when Avi threatens a young woman that doesn’t follow their rules, a woman he’s about to fall in love with…

Hard to believe that film is only a love story but until a trailer or more information are released is all that I know from Yaesh debut film competing for the Camera d'Or.

Augustine by Alice Winocour

Special screening of Winocour film that from clip here seems to be a very classic French film but being in La Semaine tells me that surely I'm wrong as this section usually screens very hard-to-watch and unusual films.

Still not sure why film is competing for the Queer Palm as synopsis does not suggest anything related to this award; this is the synopsis.

1885. In Paris, at Pitié Salpêtrière hospital, Professor Charcot is trying to understand an illness, hysteria, the causes of which as yet unknown. Augustine, a young woman just out of childhood, presents all the symptoms of the illness. It isn’t long before she attracts his attention. From object of study, Augustine soon becomes an object of desire, and the exclusive subject of his research, his obsession. Augustine does everything she can to seduce the Professor when he carries out experiments on her. Over the course of his examinations, their intimacy grows: the closer Charcot comes, the more he desires her; and the more he looks at her, the sicker she becomes

Film has well-known actors like Chiara Mastroianni and Vincent Landon; but it is singer Soko (aka Stéphanie Sokolinski - she also is in Despentes' Bye Bye Blondie ) that plays Agustine who gets my attention from clip.

Actually I really do not need to know more about this film that I know will watch as soon as comes near me. Expect a very French film like that ones that disturb me but are quite emotional cinematic experiences.

Short Films Program 1

Today the first short films program that screens the following shorts: Ce n’est pas un film de cow-boys by Benjamin Parent, Un dimanche matin by Damien Manivel, Hazara by Shay Levi, O Duplo by Juliana Rojas, and Yeguas y Cotorras de Natalia Garagiola.

L'ACID

Today Ini Avan by Asoka Handagama a Sri Lanka production that has the following synopsis: After the war in Sri Lanka, an ex-militant of the Tamil Tigers returns home in hope of starting a new « normal » life. Don't know much about this film and story does not call my attention, so I think I'll skip it.

Cannes News

Not many news today so will tell you about a Swedish project directed by Daniel Fridell that will bring to the big screen the biopic of Swedish porn king Berth Milton Jr.

Music Box Films picked up all North American rights to Sean Baker's Startlet with Dree Heminway (Mariel's daughter).

Other Activities

There were several parties last night and tonight there are many more, so is no surprise to find Cyndi Lauper, Ron Wood, Lyle Lovett, Boy George in Cannes.

The source of my in Cannes today is Getty Images that keep me informed about the celebrities but today I found not many photos of newcomers, so list is brief with Gerard Butler, Robert Rodriguez, and Michelle Rodriguez. Also Jane Fonda left Cannes.

Photos of the Day

Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska today best photos from Lawless photocall and Red Carpet.

Day 3 at 2012 Cannes

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

Main Competition

Reality by Matteo Garrone

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

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

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

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

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

Paradies: Liebe (Paradise: Love) by Ulrich Seidl

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

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

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

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

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

Un Certain Regard

Beast of the Southern Wild by Benh Zeitlin

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

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

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

Laurence Anyways by Xavier Dolan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Out of Competition

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

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

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

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

Special Screenings

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

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

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

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

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

Mekong Hotel by Apichatpong Weerasethakul,

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

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

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

Cannes Classics

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

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

Cinéma de la Plage

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

Quinzaine

No by Pablo Larraín

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

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

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

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

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

Alyah by Elie Wajeman

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

Suggest to check clips here and this is film synopsis.

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

News

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





Semaine de la Critique

Au Galop by Louis-Do de Lencquesaing

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

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

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

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

Howard Cantour.com by Shia LaBeouf

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

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

Yes will watch if ever comes near me.

L'ACID

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

Thinking

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

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

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

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

Other Important News

Another day with very interesting announcements.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Activities

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



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

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

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

The Not-So-Serious News

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

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

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

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

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

Photos of the Day

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



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



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