Cinema Retro co-publisher Dave Worrall, contributor Paul Lawton and colmunist Gareth Owen have been invited to cover the Cannes Film Festival. However, because of the frantic pace - and our inability to get them out of cafes and bistros and off the beach - there is a lag time in some of their reports. Here is Dave's diary entry for Thursday, May 15.
Cannes 2008: Thursday Evening May 15th.
Whilst Cinema Retro generally reports on classic and cult films, one does not turn down the opportunity to attend the Cannes Film Festival. As our magazine was granted the near-impossible to get press credentials for this year's event - the 61st to date - we now find ourselves comfortably embedded in the madness that is Cannes. If you are a cinephile, it's a great place to be.
Security is a major issue at the event - as it should be in this day and age - and, quite simply, if you are not a registered professional from within the film industry, there is no point you being here - as you won’t get in! So why am I here? Well, the festival not only premieres films in competition, features areas for filmmakers and
distributors to both buy and sell their new movies, it also pays homage to cinema of the past. This year,under the ‘Cannes Classics’ banner, there is an interesting mix of both European and English titles being
shown, including The Passionate Friends
(David Lean), The Long Day’s Dying (Peter Collinson), Anna Karenina
(de Alexandre Zarkhi), Peppermint Frappe (Carlos Saura) and The Effects
of Gamma Rays on Man-In-the-
Moon Marigolds (Paul Newman).
Although one associates Cannes with art house
titles, the Hollywood marketing machine has jumped on board to use the festival as a window to the world for their more commercial product. This Saturday sees the first showing of Woody Allen’s new film Vicky
Cristina Barcelona, and Sunday has the much-anticipated world premiere of Indiana
Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Both are red carpet events, with Allen,
Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson already in town, and Spielberg, Lucas and the whole cast expected to show, too. Needless to say, tickets go to Hollywood hierarchy only,
although we, the press, do get to see
them after.
Another film being given the big sell is Kung
Fu Panda, with Jack Black meeting the press on the promenade yesterday (Wed 14th), and all the frontages of the major hotels on La Croisette displaying hoardings for upcoming commercial popcorn fare such as the new X-Files film and The Mummy 3.
However, Hollywood
‘royalty’ will be in town, as Clint Eastwood is expected here next week for the opening of his new film Changeling, which is in competition. His leading lady Angelina Jolie has already arrived with husband Brad Pitt in tow, and, as per the norm, the paparazzi are out in force and hounding them down (snore).
Being part of the ‘media crowd’, one does get invited to showings and get bombarded with press packs and goody bags. There’s enough printed material being handed out to save a rain forest. I was happy
to see that the American Pavilion, which I was lucky enough to be a member of, gave out tote bags made from ex coffee bean sacks, and made by an enterprising American company who employ stay at home moms and grandmothers! Called WeBe Bags, they can be found at sales:webebags.com. Not only are they unique, cool, rugged and lightweight, they are eco-friendly too. In the age of disposable packaging, I can see these
catching on big time. Well done, ladies!
Right, I’m off for a late night showing with author, and Retro columnist Gareth Owen. What are we going to see? It’s called Flash Back, and is a new short starring Sara Dee and directed by Martin Pavey,
friends of ours who are in town touting it in the short film corner of the festival. So you see, there’s something for everyone at the Cannes Film Festival regardless of status, style and bank balance!
I may be back before I leave. All depends on the red wine and the weather………
Dave Worrall
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