Live from Cannes: Day 10 (Parting Thoughts)

I don’t think that the event itself should change (perhaps the Un Certain Regard section should look towards improving – some films that were selected were complete misfires in terms of cinematic quality) – but in the dire state that this world is in and the heat wave that made up my entire visit here at Cannes is an indication that we need to change perhaps not our viewing habits but our daily existing behaviors It is not the paparazzi that is at issue here but instead, the lack of “green” efforts. I don’t feel guilty enough when climbing on a plane one of the worst polluters but I spend the day carrying an empty plastic bottle to no avail. The fest provided facilities for recycling paper but mountains of other junk are sent to French landfills. It seems silly that after last year’s Gore doc making an appearance and this year Leo DiCaprio strolled into town with 11th Hour and no one had thought about the generations ahead, thus “cleaning up their acts”. 

As for owners in smallish buildings – ppost some damn guards so that the elevators to the 33rd floor aren’t broken. When they work they look like this:

I’ll always remember my first, just like my other firsts in life. I’m already looking forward to preparing for next year. Now it is no longer some abstract film festival that I appreciated from afar – and I owe all my thanks to my good friend who invited me. Thank you for letting me be your guest. Mille Grazie Marcello!

Look my full reviews, post-Cannes interviews in the next weeks to come, and for my film festival wrap up with full commentary on the winners of the prizes on Sunday. Au Revoir Cannes, see you next year.

On the Menu: Yesterday’s main course

I was surprised to see that the first showing of the short films in competition was held in a more than half empty theatre (and a very small theatre at that). The 10 or so shorts compilation was weak – I’ve seen better at Sundance. The only one that made had some kind of lure in it was a Danish short called My Sister about sibling aversion.

It looks like the masses opted for Ocean’s Thirteen instead – a film that will start playing in theatres in a week or two. I got a bit of video footage of the “13” gang – the vid features the actors strolling to and from point B to point C. Nothing special, but the chaos of journalists was actually fun for once.

My disappointment of the day was not being able to see Persepolis – it was an extremely popular title that had packed screenings, lots of buyers and rose-colored media had the advantage.

My day was book ended with a back to back viewing of We Own the Night and then the comedy You, the Living. The James Gray film is Hollywood schlep, it commences with a memorable steamy sequence with Mendes – and while I thought the atmospheric details are in tune with what I consider a noble effort, the screenplay is weak. There is a turbulent moment that reminded me of the craziest part in Serpico.

The Roy Andersson comedy reconfirms that he has a particular style of filmmaking that is original to him. He also has a wicked sense of humor. The first half-hour is priceless – the bit about an average joe getting the electric chair for breaking some family’s china plates will give you chest pains – its that funny.

On the Menu: Today’s main course

This is my last day before my departure (very early tomorrow) and the only film that I would like to see and will probably shut out from is the festival’s closing film: Denys Arcand’s The Age of Ignorance (L’Âge des ténèbres). If I don’t get to see this film I’ll probably take in some sun instead and/or squeeze in some random title – it would be fun to get some on my pale white Canadian skin rather than through my clothes.