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 May 7, 2008 iW NEWS | Cannes Classics Set For Fifth Year
The Cannes Film Festival will spotlight classic films on rediscovered or restored masterworks or films that have been re-released in theaters or DVD with the Cannes Classics 2008 program. Presented at the Palais des Festival, the Cinema de la Plage and the La Licorne Theatre, the program includes a tribute to Manoel de Oliveira for his 100th birthday, featuring a screening of one of his first films, 1931's "Douro, Faina Fluvial," as well as Wong Kar Wai presenting "Ashes of Time Redux." Overall, the program features dozens of films, including a new or restored prints of Marcel Ophuls' 1955 film "Lola Montes," Vijay Anand's 1965 film "Guide," Paul Newman's 1972 film "Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds," Bruce Weber's 1988 film "Let's Get Lost," Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1989 film "Santa Sangre," Jean Cocteau's 1949 film "Orphee," James Toback's 1977 film "Fingers," Lester James Peries' 1965 film "Gamperaliya," and Ben Maddow, Syndey Meyers and Joseph Strick's 1960 collaboration "The Savage Eye." Two new films will also be presented in the Documentaries About Cinema section: James Cressanthis's "No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos," which follows the journey and friendship of Hungarian directors Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond, and Richard Schickel's documentary about the history of Warner Brothers, "You Must Remember This," which will be accompanied by 10 screenings of classic Warner films, including a one-off "Looney Tunes." [Peter Knegt]  [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] iW NEWS | Critics Week Takes on "Poverty"
Philippe Diaz's "The End of Poverty?" has been added to Critics Week as part of the fest's "Cinema & Politics" day on May 19. Narrated by Martin Sheen, Diaz's ("Now & Later") doc explores whether the "true causes of povery today" stem from a deliberate orchestration since colonial times in which wealthy nations exploit the poor. Filmed in high definition in countries in Europe, Africa and South America, the film features economists, politicians and people engaged in social movements. Following its screening, Diaz and figures from the film will participate in a panel discussion. [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] VAR | Sony Classics Gets Egoyan's Cannes Entry
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired "domestic and select international rights" to Atom Egoyan's Cannes Film Festival competition entry, "Adoration," according to Variety. [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 6, 2008iW NEWS | Visit Gets Safdie's "Robbed" for Cannes
Unveiling its lineup for next week's Cannes Market, Visit Films has announced its acquisition of international rights to Josh Safdie's "The Pleasure of Being Robbed," which will close the Director's Fortnight section this year. Also on Visit's slate are Azazel Jacobs's Sundance hit "Momma's Man," Olaf De Fleur's Berlinale Teddy Award winner "The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela," Stephen Higgins and Nina Gilden Seavey's "The Matador" from SXSW and Guy Moshe's "Holly." The company recently closed a spate of deals on recent market titles, including a 4 film pact with MovieMobz in Brazil for "Arranged," "Hannah Takes The Stairs," "Choking Man," and "Severed Ways: The Norse Discovery of America." It also licensed "Hannah Takes the Stairs" to ICA Films (UK), "Choking Man" to Soda (UK), and "Severed Ways" to Ascot-Elite (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 5, 2008iW NEWS | Marche du Film Sees Rise in Attendance
As of April 15th, more than 8,000 professionals from 93 countries already confirmed their participation in the Marche du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, an 8% rise from 2007 and 40% since 2003. In response to a significant screenings demand, 3 new screening rooms will complete the 30 existing ones, with an overall of 12 digital screening rooms. The Marche will be ready to host the 1,600 screenings already booked for the 2008 edition. Additionally, about 300 companies will showcase their productions on more than 6,000 square meters of exhibiting surface. About 120 exhibitors will be present in hotels or flats on the Croisette. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] April 30, 2008iW NEWS | THINKFilm Makes Theatrical & Home Video Deal for "Roman Polanski" Doc
U.S. theatrical and home video rights to Sundance '08 doc "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" have been acquired by THINKFilm from HBO, which acquired the title at the festival in January. "Polanski" will have its international premiere at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. HBO will air the film on June 9th, and THINK will launch a theatrical roll out beginning July 11 in New York. Directed by Marina Zenovich, the film spotlights the the public scandal and private tragedy that drove the legendary director from the United States more than 30 years ago. "Marina's film is one of the best documentaries I've seen in years," commented Urman in a statement. "It is as compulsively enjoyable as the juiciest tabloid yet it also serves as a stunning indictment of our tabloid-crazed culture. Buoyed by HBO's terrific promotional support, the film should have enormous want-to-see, and exhibitor interest in the film couldn't be higher." The deal, which was jointly announced by THINKFilm president Mark Urman and Sheila Nevins, president, HBO Documentary Films, and is the latest collaboration between the two companies, whose series of partnerships has included recent Oscar-winner, "Taxi to the Dark Side.." Last month, reported on the film's brief Oscar-qualifying run, which indieWIRE. [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes, Documentary ] April 29, 2008iW NEWS | C'est Officiel: "Blindness" To Open Cannes
Five Films Added to Fest... Fernando Mereilles's "Blindness" will in fact open the 2008 Festival de Cannes on May 14th -- screening in competition -- organizers have just announced. Rounding out the Official Selection for the upcoming event, planners added a few additional films to the roster. A third French film, Laurent Cantet's "Entre Les murs," will also screen in competition, joined by James Gray's "Two Lovers." Meanwhile, opening the festival's Un Certain Regard section on May 15th will be Steve McQueen's "Hunger." Finally, Robert DeNiro will present the Palme d'Or on closing night, May 25th, followed by a screening of Barry Levinson's "What Just Happened," starring DeNiro, Robin Wright Penn, John Turturro and this year's Cannes jury president Sean Penn. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] INSIDE WORD | Meirelles' "Blindness" Tipped for Cannes Opening Slot
Increasing buzz indicates that Fernando Meirelles' "Blindness" will open the 2008 Festival de Cannes, two weeks from tomorrow. In Canada, the Globe and Mail reported that the film, shot partially in Toronto, will kick-off the fest on May 14th, joining the roster that was announced last week. Cannes festival reps did not immediately respond to inquiries this morning and today Miramax said the reports were "still a rumor at this point," but other film insiders are confirming the news. "Blindness" was adapted by celebrated Canadian writer, actor and director Don McKellar from Jose Saramago's acclaimed novel and has been described by Miramax as follows: "When a sudden plague of blindness devastates a city, a small group of the afflicted band together to triumphantly overcome the horrific conditions of their imposed quarantine." It stars Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Alice Braga, Danny Glover and Gael Garcia Bernal. The film was produced by Niv Fichman, Andrea Barata Ribeiro, and Sonoko Sakai and executive produced by Gail Egan and Simon Channing-Williams. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] April 28, 2008HR | IFC Gets "Robbed"
IFC is closing a deal for Josh Safdie's "The Pleasure of Being Robbed," which will close the Directors' Fortnight in Cannes, according to the Hollywood Reporter. [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] April 25, 2008 CANNES '08 | Skolimoski's "Four Nights" Leads Fortnight; Fest Roster Unveiled
Jerzi Skolimoski's "Four Nights With Anna" will open the 40th Director's Fortnight in Cannes. Organizers unveiled the entire roster for the annual independent sidebar to the Festival de Cannes, choosing thirty-three features for the 2008 festival. The event emerged amidst the tumult of 1968 when the fest was canceled in solidarity with striking French workers. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival News, Lead Story ] April 24, 2008 CANNES '08 | International Critics' Week Line-up Announced
The International Critics' Week, a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival, has dedicated itself to discovering new talents. Among the filmmakers whose first or second feature films were showcased during the program are Bernardo Bertolucci, Ken Loach, Wong Kar Wai and Francois Ozon. In the past few years, the program has received particular attention for winning 4 of last 5 Camera d'Or (which is awarded to best first feature film among all sections of Cannes). Last year, that winner was "Jellyfish" by Etgar Keret and Shira Geffen. The 47th line-up was announced Thursday, with 7 features and 7 shorts in competition, including the lone American entry, Jeff Vespa's short "Nosebleed." Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz's "Les Sept Jours" was announced as the opening feature film, while Rodrigo Pla's "Desierto Adentro" will close the week. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival News ] April 23, 2008 CANNES '08 | Dardennes, Desplechin, Egoyan, Eastwood, Martel, Salles, Soderbergh, and Wenders Among Those Set for 61st Festival de Cannes Competition
A number of familiar names are set to compete at the 61st Festival de Cannes organizers announced today in Paris, revealing the official selection of 52 feature films during a morning press conference. While the fest has yet to designate its opening and closing films, nineteen features are set to vie for the Palme d'Or. Among the films in competition are new work by The Dardenne Brothers, Arnaud Desplechin, Atom Egoyan, Clint Eastwood, Lucrecia Martel, Walter Salles, Steven Soderbergh, and Wim Wenders. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival News, Lead Story ] April 18, 2008CANNES '08 | L'Affiche: Inspired By Lynch
Cinema poster artist Pierre Collier has created the poster and visual identity for the 61st Festival de Cannes, inspired by a photograph by David Lynch. The festival will run May 14th through 25th. Check out the image on indieWIRE's Cannes blog. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] April 11, 2008The Week in Fests | Malaga, Udine, and Vail
The latest from the festival scene this week. A link exchange by Variety.com and indieWIRE.
MALAGA ENDS ON A HIGH NOTE
UDINE CELEBRATES ASIAN MAINSTREAM
VAIL FEST POWERS ON DESPITE LOSING SCREENS
More at Variety's Festival Central April 10, 2008AFP: Cult director Tarantino to deliver Cannes Masterclass
Cult award-winning film director Quentin Tarantino is to give this year's Cinema Masterclass at Cannes, the world's premier film festival. AFP reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] March 31, 2008CANNES '08 | 4th Atelier Slate Set
Fifteen projects are set for the 4th Atelier of the Cinefondation at the Festival de Cannes, facilitating industry meetings aimed at securing financing and additional support for new films. On this year's roster for the program are "Cure For Serpents" directed by Ben Hackworth (Australia), "Bitch" directed by Lou Ye (China), "The Stoplight Society" directed by Ruben Mendoza (Columbia), "One More Croissant" directed by Ilmar Raag (Estonia), "Here" directed by Braden King (USA), "Lucky Life" directed by Lee Isaac Chung (USA), "Qu'un seul tienne, et les autres suivront" directed by Lea Fehner (France), "Womb" directed by Benedek Fliegauf (Hungary), "The Policeman" directed by Nadav Lapid (Israel), "First of all, Felicia" directed by Razvan Radulescu & Melissa De Raaf (Romania), "White, White World" directed by Oleg Novkovic (Serbia), "Queleh" directed by Abdi Ismael Jama (Somalia), "First page Taipei" directed by Arvin Chen (Taiwan), "Punta del Este" directed by Juan Pittaluga (Uruguay), "Bi, don't be afraid" directed by Phan Dang Di (Vietnam). [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] March 21, 2008HR | The Cannes plan comes together
Tipping new films from Steven Soderberg, Woody Allen and Michael Winterbottom for the 61st Festival de Cannes 2008, Hollywood Reporter surveys some of the films likely to screen at the 2008 festival (May 14 - 25). [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] January 3, 2008iW NEWS | Sean Penn to Head 61st Cannes Jury
Actor/director Sean Penn has been named president of the jury for the 61st Festival de Cannes, taking place May 14 - 25, festival organizers announced early Thursday morning local time in France. Penn's acclaimed directorial effort, "Into the Wild," will open in the country on January 9, 2008. Penn won the best male performance prize at the festival in 1997 for "She's So Lovely" by Nick Cassavetes and took an Oscar in 2004 for his performance in Clint Eastwood's "Mystic River," which also screened at Cannes. "In the last few years it seems there has been a rejuvenation of cinema building worldwide [with] increasingly thoughtful, provocative, moving, and imaginative films by talented filmmakers: that a new generation of filmmaking may have begun," commented Penn, in a statement upon accepting the invitation extended by the festival's Gilles Jacob and Thierry Fremaux. "The Cannes Film Festival has long been the epicenter in the discovery of those new waves of filmmakers from all over the world. I very much look forward to participating in this year's festival as president of the jury." [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] June 25, 2007iW NEWS | Koch Lorber and Red Envelope Take "Water Lilies"
All U.S. and Canadian rights to Celine Sciamma's "Water Lillies" (La Naissance des Pieuvres) have been acquired in a joint deal by Koch Lorber Films and Red Envelope Entertainment, the companies announced Monday. The film, set in the summer at a suburban Parisian municipal swimming pool, debuted in the Un Certain Regard section at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Richard Lorber from Koch Lorber and Liesl Copland from Red Envelope negotiated the pact with Film Distribution's Nicolas Brigaud-Robert and Didar Domehri. Koch Lorber is planning a national theatrical release beginning early next year, followed by a DVD release later in the year. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] June 21, 2007 CANNES '07 | Michael Moore on "Sicko"
Michael Moore debuted his new film, "Sicko," at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. Picking up on the more personal types of stories covered in his recent "Fahrenheit 9/11," Moore's moving new film is structured primarily around human interest tales of American's troubles with the U.S. health care system. The Weinstein Company is releasing the film in the U.S. [ filed under Cannes, Film Festivals ] June 1, 2007AP: Cannes winner praises Romania's films
Cristian Mungiu, the first Romanian to win the Cannes Film Festival's top prize, says his country's recent movie output helped him win the award. He has said "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" shows how people's choices are affected by the political system, indoctrination and stereotyping. The film had a budget of $671,000. AP reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, People ] May 31, 2007The Guardian Interview: Out of the back room
The film world's collective jaw may have dropped on Sunday night when "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," a Romanian film about abortion with no stars and costing under half a million pounds, walked off with the Palme d'Or in Cannes. Less surprised, probably, was its director, Cristian Mungiu. He was confident enough of his chances when we met, 10 days before the prize-giving, to tell me that he wasn't going home when his free, festival-provided hotel room ran out: "I'm going to stick around for the awards." Nick Roddick reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, People ] May 30, 2007"Paranoid" Set for IFC Release in U.S.; MK2 Sells Film in 72 Territories
Gus Van Sant's "Paranoid Park," which has been acquired by IFC First Take for a U.S. release, has been sold in some 72 territories according to Marin and Nathanael Karmitz's French company MK2, which fully finananced the movie. MK2 said Wednesday that the film, winner of the special 60th Anniversary Award at the recent Cannes Film Festival, has already sold the film in the United Kingdom, Italy, USA, Spain, India, Argentina, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Benelux, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Russia, Poland, Japan and Korea. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] iW NEWS | NonStop Makes "4 Months" Deal
In a deal with Wild Bunch, NonStop Entertainment has announced its acquisition of Cristian Mungiu's "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," winner of the Palme d'or at the recent Cannes Film Festival. The company will release the movie in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, while IFC First Take is handling the U.S. release after acquiring the film last week in France. Set in a small town in Romania, the film is the story of two university students dealing with an unwanted pregnancy during the last years of Communism. "We are very proud to bring home the critically acclaimed Palm d'Or winner '4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days'," said NonStop CEO Ignas Scheynius, "Together with the Golden Lion winner 'Still Life' and the Golden Bear winner 'Tuya's Marriage', NonStop Entertainment is doing a hat trick by adding the winners from the most recent film A-film festivals in Venice, Berlin and Cannes to its repertoir." [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 29, 2007 CANNES '07 | 10 Films To Watch from the 60th Festival de Cannes
Dozens of new films from the recent Cannes Film Festival will receive attention and acclaim at film festivals, and ultimately in distribution, around the world after launching earlier this month. In a final festival dispatch from France, indieWIRE offers a subjective hotlist of 10 films worth watching from this year's event. We invite indieWIRE readers to consider our favorites and offer, in the comments section at the end of the article, their own tips on other Cannes festival films worth watching. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 2 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ] May 28, 2007Cannes '07 - Wong Kar Wai
At the Cannes Film Festival, "My Blueberry Nights" director Wong Kar Wai and the film's co-stars Norah Jones and Jude Law, talk about the new movie. The three-part story of a young woman dealing with a particularly bad break-up, "My Blueberry Nights" follows her on a journey from New York to California. The Weinstein Company will release this movie later this year. [ filed under Cannes, Film Festivals ] Cannes '07 - Gus Van Sant
In Cannes with his new film, "Paranoid Park," Gus Van Sant talks about working with emerging actors and focusing on younger characters in his work. The new film, adapted from Blake Nelson's young adult novel of the same name, is the story of a kid who hangs out at a popular Portland, OR skate park where he accidentally kills a local security guard and tries to keep the death a secret. It was acquired by IFC Films shortly after its debut at the festival. [ filed under Cannes, Film Festivals ] May 27, 2007SFC: Health reformers to piggyback on "Sicko"
Michael Moore couldn't have scheduled the release of his movie "Sicko" at a more opportune time. The film, which opens in theaters in the United States on June 29, arrives as many states, including California, have introduced health care reform proposals. In polls, health care routinely ranks among the public's top domestic concerns. Health care reform is also expected to be an important theme in the presidential campaign for 2008. Victoria Colliver reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ]  CANNES '07 DISPATCH: Mungiu's "4 Months..." Wins Palme d'Or; Schnabel Snaps Directing Prize and "Meduzot" Takes Camera d'Or
Cristian Mungiu's "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" from Romania won the Palme d'Or as the 60th Cannes Film Festival came to a close on Sunday night with winners taking their bows. The prizes were presented prior to the closing night screening of Denys Arcand's "L'Age Des Tenebres," marking the end of the 2007 festival. Selecting the winners in the '07 Cannes competition were jury president Stephen Frears, along with fellow jurors: actress Maggie Cheung, actress Toni Collette, director and actress Maria de Medeiros, director and actress Sarah Polley, director Marco Bellocchio, writer Orhan Pamuk, director and actor Michel Piccoli, and director Abderramane Sissako. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 2 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ] AFP: East Europe calls to West at Cannes
While films from Eastern Europe made big on festival screens at Cannes, the region's cash-strapped industry looked West for the future. At the Cannes trade market, where thousands of film execs did business on the sidelines of the 12-day film festival ending Sunday, Eastern Europeans said co-productions were the path to the future for a new generation of talented filmmakers. Audrey Stuart reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] AP: Cannes closes on light note with comedy
After a 12-day lineup of weighty films, the Cannes Film Festival came to a close Sunday with a movie called "Days of Darkness -- despite its title, a comedy. French-Canadian filmmaker Denys Arcand, who won best foreign language Oscar in 2004 for his funny, moving, "The Barbarian Invasions," has a thing for over-the-top titles. Angela Doland reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] May 26, 2007 CANNES '07 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | Mining for Genre Gems in Cannes
The first thing one notices when looking for genre fare at the Cannes Film Festival is that you won't find it in the Midnight section. Featured as part of the Out of Competition program, Midnight in Cannes 2007 contained two edgy dramas from veteran directors and one light heist flick. But when the strongest thing in the midnight selection is a 3D concert film meticulously directed to perfection by a mainstream Hollywood director (I'm speaking of Mark Pellington's "U2 3D", of course, co-directed Catherine Owens who was supposedly mainly responsible for the onstage visuals), its time to search deep into the festival's sidebars to find the real genre gems. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals, Lead Story ] More Deals Mark Cannes Fest: "Control" and "Paranoid Park"
Another pair of Festival de Cannes films are finding distribution in the United States. The Weinstein Company has acquired North American rights to Anton Corbijn's "Control," according The Hollywood Reporter. The film, which opened the 2007 Directors' Fortnight section, also won a trio of awards on the sidebar's closing night. Meanwhile, Gus Van Sant's Cannes competition entry, "Paranoid Park," is closing in on a U.S. deal with IFC Entertainment. Despite word of a sealed deal, IFC reiterated yesterday that a deal is not yet finalized. [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 25, 2007CANNES '07 | Marcus Hu: Cannes Fest Fixture Sits One Out; '08 Fest Awaits Her Return
Since 1989, my mom, Evelyn has been my trusty sidekick, best friend and confidant to accompany me to Cannes every consecutive year since. I am sure many of you have seen this 4'10" Asian American mom whizzing down the Croisette to a screening or to meet me at a reception, with the sparkle of a teenager in love with the movies. Her love for cinema rubbed off onto me as a child and stuck with me as a career... Strand Releasing co-president Marcus Hu writes about why he and his Mom are not at the Cannes Film Festival. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, People ]   Deneuve in Cannes
"Persepolis," the animated Cannes competition entry from France, has stirred awards talk here since the film's debut earlier this week. On Thursday, leading French actress Catherine Deneuve joined her daughter Chiara Mastroianni and the film's writer/directors Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud at the Carlton Beach restaurant on Thursday for a Sony Pictures Classics lunch. Deneuve, who voiced a character for the animated, French-language adaptation of Satrapi's succesful books, will also perform the role in English for an alternative version of the film. Asked about recent talk in Cannes this year about the apparent "death of cinema," while sipping a glass of wine and smoking a cigarette, Deneuve was straightforward on the matter. "I've heard that for such a long time," she said of the death of cinema, "It's a very slow death...since the end of the New Wave..." Concluding the thought, she added, "It is still very alive, I think." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] May 24, 2007 CANNES '07 DISPATCH | Americans in Cannes Stir Fest; Schnabel, Van Sant, and Coens Lead Competition
A group of films from established American filmmakers, all adapted from books, are among the most acclaimed films in competition as the Cannes enters its final weekend in France. Critics, programmers and insiders all consider Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," Gus Van Sant's "Paranoid Park" and The Coen Brothers' "No Country for Old Men," frontrunners for prizes at this year's festival and among the best films screening here at the 60th Festival de Cannes. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ]  CANNES '07 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | "Secret Sunshine" Lights Up Competition; Akin and Tarr Stumble, and Korine's Nuns Fly High
"The fragility of human joy" -- the words are spoken in "A Mighty Heart," but the sentiment runs throughout several Cannes films, as random tragedy or political circumstance dashes characters' hopes for happiness. In a most trenchant way, South Korean director Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine" -- a new frontrunner for major Cannes prizes -- focuses on a young widow, Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon). After moving from Seoul to the town of Miryang, where her late husband was born, Shin-ae tries to fit into her new smalltown surroundings. But an unexpected event throws her life into further turmoil. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals, Lead Story ] iW NEWS | Miramax Captures Schnabel's "Butterfly"
Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (Le Scaphandre et le Papillon) has been acquired by Miramax Films, in a deal for all North American rights to the Cannes '07 competition film. Adapted by Ronald Harwood, the film is the story of former editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine in France, Jean-Dominique Bauby. Mathieu Amalric portrays Bauby, who, after suffering a debilitating stroke, was forced compose his autobiography entirely by dictation through a series of blinks, grunts and movements. He died in France three days after the book was published. Produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Jon Kilik, the film also stars Emmanuelle Seigner and Max Von Sydow. "What excited our whole team so much is that this film is a combination of all of the elements we look for and more - an amazing true story, a flawless adaptation of an incredible memoir, remarkably beautiful direction and extraordinary performances," said Miramax president Daniel Battsek, in a statement today in Cannes. "The end result is a film told with fantastic sensitivity and humanity that still manages to keep a sense of humor which audiences will find undoubtedly moving." Michael Luisi, an EVP at Miramax negotiated the deal with Cameron McCracken from Pathe UK and CAA, representing Schnabel. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] AFP: Cannes world cinema puts spotlight on India, Lebanon and more
"All the world's a stage" wrote Shakespeare, and this year at Cannes, India, Lebanon, Poland, Africa, Colombia and Slovenia are spotlighted at the festival event "All The World's Films." The world cinema affair is a recent and increasingly popular addition to the 12-day annual movie extravaganza, showcasing the vast and rich variety of cinema produced around the globe. Audrey Stuart reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] The Guardian: Cannes Roundup
The race for the Palme d'Or in Cannes has been thrown open again with a mighty challenger coming up on the inside rail. Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a wonderfully acted and profoundly moving adaptation of the memoir by French magazine editor Jean- Dominique Bauby, who, at 42, and at the height of his brilliant media career, became paralysed with a stroke. Peter Bradshaw reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] May 23, 2007 CANNES '07 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | Camera D'Or Candidates Emerge
The vetted progress of distribution deals dominates the omnipresent chatter at most major film festivals, closely accompanied by evaluations of the movies' artistic merits. Industry and aesthetic outlooks collide when news of deals break, mainly focused on whether business is allotting its finances to the deserving parties. There's little doubt that the latest offerings from established auteurs will successfully make their way beyond the festival circuit - a certain fate, as the New York Times recently pointed out, for Gus Van Sant's "Paranoid Park," and several other high profile titles screening at this year's Cannes Film Festival. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals, Lead Story ]  CANNES '07 DISPATCH | Biz and Prize Buzzing as Cannes Fest Hits Home Stretch
Heading into the final four days of the 60th Cannes Film Festival, only a handful of competition titles have yet to screen for audiences and jurors here in France. Barring last minute surprises, observers have an idea of the film's they expect will win. Meanwhile, a handful of films are also on a track to secure a U.S. theatrical release. Among the hottest properties is Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterlfly," a French language film that many rival buyers are saying will end up at Paramount Vantage or Miramax. The film will no doubt end up scoring a U.S. theatrical release, some saying that an announcement will come in the next day or so and many buzzing about the possibility that the film will take home a prize this Sunday The other top reviewed titles from the competition seem to be Christian Mungiu's "4 Months, 3 Weeks And 2 Days" (which was acquired this week by IFC for a U.S. release), the Coen Brothers' "No Country For Old Men" from Miramax, and Gus Van Sant's "Paranoid Park." (indieWIRE will have more on those films later this week) [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ]  Fortissimo Films Fun
Of the many afternoon and evening beach parties that fill festivalgoers' schedules in Cannes, the annual Fortissimo Films bash (usually held at the Majestic Beach near the Palais) always draws a high-profile mix of folks. This year was no exception. Hanging on the resort's pier with company chiefs Wouter Barendrecht and Michael Werner, among others, was actress Tilda Swinton. Decked out in a shining silver dress, Swinton is starring in the leading sales company's "The Man From London,," debuting in competition in Cannes. Making the rounds at the bash, she also stopped for a chat and a photo with Cinetic Media's John Sloss. The dealmaker recently closed a major deal at the festival himself, selling James Gray's "We Own the Night" to Columbia Pictures for more than $11 million. Also spotted at the Fortissimo bash on the beach were Robert Rodriguez with Rose Macgowan (in town with Tarantino's "Death Proof"), Jim Jarmusch, and Cannes festival opening night director, Wong Kar Wai. Harvey Weinstein also made an appearance, but didn't stay long. The mogul swiftly made his way through the bash to the dock, chatted up Jarmusch and quickly stepped onto a small tender boat that presumably whisked him away to a yacht. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] NYT: Alienated Europeans, Through a Cold Lens
One of the most fertile subjects of contemporary European cinema is the desolation of contemporary European life. The extravagance and high spirits outside the Cannes screening rooms thus frequently stand in jarring contrast to the misery displayed within them, where stories of privation, disconnection and violence hold up a corrective mirror to a continent that likes to present itself to the rest of the world as prosperous, unified and at peace. A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] The Guardian Interview: Gael Garcia Bernal
"Doing films in Mexico is pretty difficult; it's not yet a self-sustaining industry," says Gael Garcia Bernal. "But one thing you can do is manage to make films without very much money. There was an energy developing around the things that we wanted to do, and there came a point when we thought, 'You know what, why don't we concentrate all this energy? Why don't we make it in practical terms and build a company?'" Garcia Bernal is in Cannes with his directorial debut, "Deficit." The Guardian reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, People ] AFP: NKorea's first film to hit West: schoolgirl's dreams n'drama
North Korea's first film bidding for buyers at the Cannes market provides a rare look at the fortress nation seen through teenage eyes. "The Schoolgirl's Diary," one of only two films produced by Pyongyang last year, chronicles a girl's life through her school years, grappling with peer pressure and family problems much the same as those the world over. Claire Rosemberg reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] AFP: Iran's ire leaves Cannes cartoon-maker cold
Iranian-born filmmaker Marjane Satrapi, whose black comedy about growing up under the ayatollahs is infuriating Iran, says Tehran is barking up the wrong tree and she will not return. With her animated feature "Persepolis," based on her eponymous comic book best-sellers, lined up as a front-runner for the top Cannes prize, Satrapi's hard-hitting autobiographical take on Tehran in the 70s and 80s has thrown the spotlight again on Iran. Claire Rosemberg reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] Reuters: Akin takes German-Turkish "Edge" to Cannes
German-Turkish director Fatih Akin's latest film "The Edge of Heaven," showing at the Cannes festival, carries on from his 2003 success "Head On." Akin, who shot to prominence when "Head On" won the Golden Bear prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, looks at some of the same issues of identity and belonging in both films. James Mackenzie reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] May 22, 2007 CANNES '07 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | Competition Heats Up With Seidl, Van Sant, and Schnabel
Cannes may have kicked off last week, but the race for the Palme d'Or really only began to pick up speed on days five and six of the festival, with screenings of Ulrich Seidl's "Import/Export," Gus Van Sant's "Paranoid Park," Carlos Reygadas' "Silent Light," and Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." While outside of competition, Michael Winterbottom has proven himself to be, once again, a politically astute and highly nimble filmmaker, even when working with superstar Angelina Jolie. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals, Lead Story ] iW NEWS | Roadside Buys "Caramel"
U.S. rights to Nadine Labaki's "Caramel" have been acquired by Roadside Attractions. The Cannes Directors Fortnight film is the story of five Lebanese women in a Beirut beauty shop. Roadside co-president Howard Cohen negotiated the deal with Raphael Berdugo of Roissy Films. Labaki wrote the first feature with Jihad Hojeily and Rodney Al Haddad. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ]  CANNES '07 DISPATCH | Scorsese Foundation Aimed at Preservation, Distribution; New Line's "Compass"; and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Martin Scorsese, joined by group of leading international filmmakers on Tuesday in Cannes, officially announced the creation of The World Cinema Foundation. The not-for-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and ultimately, distribution of neglected films from around the world. Created by Scorsese, who has also launched a similar movement for American films, the foundation "supports and encourages efforts to save worldwide film patrimony and ensure that these films are preserved, shared and saved." [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ] iW NEWS | IFC Takes Two Cannes '07 Titles
IFC First Take, the day and date distribution label from U.S. based IFC Entertainment, has announced the acquisition of two films from the Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival: Cristian Mungui's competition film, "4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days" and Hsiao-Hsien's "Flight of the Red Balloon" from the Un Certain Regard section. "4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days," set during the last days of Communism in Romania, depicts two young women facing the end of unwelcome pregnancies, while "Flight of the Red Balloon," set in Paris, is the story of boy and his babysitter in the same imaginary world where they are followed around the city by a red balloon. It stars Juliet Binoche and Simon Iteanu. "'4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days' is powerfully provocative and should connect to audiences in some fundamental ways," commented IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring, in a statement, adding about "Red Balloon," "We know that this film will help further signify IFC First Take as the premiere distribution platform for celebrated foreign language films in the U.S." IFC acquisitions VP Arianna Bocco negotiated the "4 Months..." deal with Carol Baraton from Wild Bunch, and the "Red Balloon" deal with Nicolas Brigaud-Robert from Films Distribution. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] iW NEWS | Sony Classics Announces "Band" Deal
Eran Kolirin's first feature, "The Band's Visit" has been acquired for distribution in the U.S. and English-speaking Canada in an acquisition deal by Sony Pictures Classics here in Cannes. The Israeli film, screening in the festival's Un Certain Regard section, stars Sasson Gabai ("Made in Israel" and "Aviva Ahuvati") as well as three-time Best Actress winner at the Israeli Academy Awards, Ronit Elkabetz ("Sh'Chur," "Hatuna Meuheret," and "Ve'Lakhta Lehe Isha"). The film is described as the story of an Egyptian Police band that loses their way while traveling to Israel to perform at an Arab cultural center. Michael Barker, Tom Bernard and Dylan Leiner from Sony Pictures Classics acquired the film from producer Ehud Bleiberg of Bleiberg Entertainment. "The Band's Visit" marks the birth of a major new international filmmaker, Eran Kolirin, in a story that is so warm and human (and funny as well)," said Sony's executives in a statement. "It is an important movie about how in today's world there is a necessity for trust in human connection, and the restorative power of music. This is the kind of movie that wins major awards and is very commercial at the same time. This movie will bring people together." [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] iW NEWS | Melbourne Fest Announces New Event
The Melbourne International Film Festival announced at Cannes the establishment of Australia's first international film forum within its festival environment. 37 South: Bridging The Gap will be a major networking event taking place July 26-28. The event is designed to bring together Australia feature film producers with a range of potential partners. "We will be inviting eight to ten key international sales agents, producers and financiers to join us for a combination of formal and informal sessions," said Executive Director Richard Moore. "This is a place where guests will meet the best of our established film community and the next wave of emerging talent." The announcement of 37 South was made possible through the support of the Victorian Government and complements new financing agreements made by the Australian government earlier this year. The Australian industry has been buoyed by the new financial arrangements and is predicting an upsurge of activity in the realm of 25% over the next two to three years. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ]  U2 in Cannes: Where the Streets Have French Names
Over the 60 years of Cannes, the festival has had many iconic moments. From Brigitte Bardot posing on the beach in a bikini and Madonna slowly making her way to to the Palais in Galtier lingerie for a screening of "Truth or Dare" amidst a throng of fans, to rows of Stormtroopers lining the famous red steps for the world premiere of the final "Star Wars" film. Add to the list the sight of Irish rock band U2 performing live on the red carpet in Cannes earlier this week. Equipment was set up at the top of the stairs and after midnight a DJ began playing U2 songs as the crowd just got bigger and bigger. The band performed "Vertigo" and "Where the Streets Have No Name" before walking into the Lumiere theater for their 1 a.m. world premiere of "U2 3D" (by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington), but not before Bono could salute the festival, "Bon anniversaire, Cannes!" he yelled. Here, Bono waives to fans as he gets into his car at the Majestic Hotel before the big night. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] AFP: Cars clash! Girls strut! Tarantino's at Cannes
The king of pop cinema, Quentin Tarantino, paid homage to 1970s car action flicks at the Cannes film festival Tuesday with "Death Proof," in which gears and girls grind for his camera in an exercise heavy on style but light on substance. Marc Burleigh reports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, People ]  Dawn Hudson and Tom Ortenberg on a yacht
Film Independent executive director Dawn Hudson and Lionsgate president Tom Ortenberg aboard the Budweiser yacht in Cannes Monday evening. Film Independent hosted the party complete with champagne, hors d'oeuvres and cute flowers floating in the small pool (a la "Love Boat") offering a respite from the wheeling and dealing of Cannes. The Los Angeles Film Festival, organized by FIND, takes place June 21 - July 1 in LA's Westwood neighborhood and will kick off with Kasi Lemmons' "Talk To Me." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  Kellerman and Krane on the Balcony
Oscar-nominated actress Sally Kellerman ("MASH") and producer Jonathan Krane taking a respite on the balcony overlooking the Mediterranean in Cannes Monday afternoon. Krane recently partnered with "Gods and Monsters" producer Beau Rogers to form The Edge, a new film financing and production company that plans to produce and distribute 10 to 15 films per year for the next five years with budgets ranging from seven to ten million dollars. Kellerman will star in James Quattrochi's "The Prince and the Pauper," which is being produced by the new company. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  Joshua Sinclair and Sybil Danning in the Sun
Director Joshua Sinclair and Austrian actress Sybil Danning basking in the late afternoon sun at the American Pavilion in Cannes. Their latest project, "Jump," also starring Patrick Swayze, Martine McCutcheon and Ben Silverstone, centers on the story of famed LIFE magazine photographer Philippe Halsman. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] iW NEWS | Sony Announces New Asian Collaboration, Acquisition
Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia announced a new multi-feature production collaboration with Stephen Chow's production company Star Overseas. The two companies will work on a series of films featuring new and emerging Asian talent. Chow's own film, "Jump," will be the first project of the joint venture. Described as a "hip-hop dance romantic comedy", "Jump" will be produced by Chui Po Chu ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") and will star Kitty Zhang. It will begin production later this summer with Sony Pictures Releasing International handling worldwide distribution, as it will for all films under the new deal. "Asia is producing some of the most exciting new talent," said Gareth Wigan, Vice Chairman of Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group. "With Stephen's superb artistic sensibilities and commercial instincts combined with Sony's distribution and marketing expertise, the prospects for this collaboration are extremely exciting." Chow's Star Overseas previously collaborated with Sony on "Kung Fu Hustle," which grossed over $100 million worldwide. Sony Pictures Entertainment has also acquired North American rights to HandMade Film's upcoming production, "The Long Good Friday." Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group and HandMade Films International jointly made the announcement at Cannes Monday. "The Long Good Friday" is a contemporary remake of the 1980 UK crime thriller. It will be written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson ("Alien Vs. Predator.") The deal was negotiated by Peter Schlessel and Lara Thompson on behalf of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group, and Guy Collins and Michael Ryan on behalf of HandMade. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Production ] May 21, 2007 CANNES '07 DISPATCH | Winterbottom's Latest Stirs Cannes Fest
The true story of a murdered journalist was the high profile film in the Cannes spotlight on Monday. As expected, Michael Winterbottom's "A Mighty Heart," screening out of competition here at the Festival de Cannes, drew considerable attention for its world premiere. In a story that riveted news agencies around the world five years ago, Wall Street Journal South Asia Bureau chief Daniel Pearl was brutally murdered by al Qaeda days after his kidnapping in Karachi as he delved into research on a story relating to shoe bomber Richard Reid. Following his death, Pearl's wife Mariane recounted the story in her memoir A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Danny Pearl, which she hoped would introduce their son, Adam, to the father he would never meet. Brad Pitt eventually bought the rights to the book and set up the film at Paramount Vantage, tapping Michael Winterbottom to direct, with Angelina Jolie cast as the author. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ]  CANNES '07 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | Complicated Lovers and Genders in Cannes Sidebars
On the 60th anniversary poster for the Cannes Film Festival, familiar movie faces effortlessly bound through the air. The gravity-defying spectacle-designed by Christophe Renard from photographs of Wong Kar Wai, Bruce Willis, and several others spotlights a strikingly broad selection of craftsmen and performers from contemporary cinema. In addition to addressing the range of artistic contributors, such an astute proclamation of diversity is also applicable to the festival's organization. While nearly two dozen features compete for attention in the main competition and slightly fewer entries screen in Un Certain Regard track, the handful of movies shown in the Directors Fortnight and International Critics Week sidebars practically exist in separate festivals. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals, Lead Story ] iW NEWS | "Band's Visit" Buzz
Met with a lengthy standing ovation here in Cannes, Eran Kolirin's Cannes Un Certain Regard feature film, "The Band's Visit," is nearing a North American distribution deal after locking up pacts in international territories. Produced by July August Productions, Bleiberg Entertainment, and Sophie Dulac Productions, the film is about an Egyptian police band that gets lost in a remote Israeli town on their way to a festival. Sony Pictures Classics is a likely buyer according to multipe sources, but the company declined to comment late Monday in Cannes. Co-producer Sophie Dulac purchased the rights for France and will release the title on eighty prints, while Mikado bought the rights in Italy and Spanish rights went to Manga. Swen-Brazil bought the rights to all Latin American territories, Madman purchased both Australia and New Zealand, Audio Visual purchased rights for Greece, and Xenix obtained the rights to Switzerland. Roman Kopelevich, VP of World Sales for Bleiberg Entertainment, negotiated all deals and Bleiberg is currently in negotiations for all other territories. [Eugene Hernandez and Ashley Adams] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] iW NEWS | Niki Caro To Direct Screen Adaptation of "The Vinter's Luck"
Niki Caro ("Whale Rider") will direct a screen adaptation of "The Vinter's Luck" from a screenplay adaptation she wrote herself of Elizabeth Knox's New Zealand novel of the same name. Principal photography should commence in February, 2008 for the film about a peasant wine maker in 19th century France and his life long relationship with an angel. The cast includes Keisha Castle-Hughes ("Whale Rider"), and production design by Academy Award Winner, Grant Major ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy). "The Vinter's Luck" is an Ascension Films-Kortex co-production whose international sales are being handled by Kathleen Drumm of NZ Film, the sales arm of the New Zealand Film Commission, one of the films many financers. Also funding the film are: The New Zealand Production Fund, the Motion Investment Group of Belgium, Tokyo based OLC Rights Entertainment, and Kortex Cinema of France. [Ashley Adams] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Production ] iW NEWS | TLA Likes "Naked Boys"
TLA Releasing has acquired North American Theatrical and DVD Rights for the United Kingdom to Funny Boy Films' "Naked Boys Singing! The Movie." The film is co-directed by Robert Schrock and Troy Christian and is scheduled to be released this Fall. It is adapted from the popular play that debuted in 1998. "The fun-loving spirit of this movie is contagious, the cast is wonderful," said producer Kirkland Tibbels. "I guarantee you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen for a moment." Executive Producer Sterling Zinsmeyer brought the film to Funny Boy Films. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] iW NEWS | Graham King Launches GK Films
Producer Graham King has announced the launch of his new company, GK Films. The company will coincide with the 3-year extension of his overall production deal with Warner Brothers Pictures as well as the extension of King's production deal with Johnny Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil. The new deal gives Warner a first look option on films produced under GK Films including Infinitum Nihil films. King will partner with long time collaborator Tim Headington at GK. Among the titles being produced by King via GK is Mira Nair's "Shantaram," starring Johnny Depp. It will be produced with Warner Brothers in conjunction with Infinitum Nihil and Plan B. The slate also includes Martin Scorcese's adaptation of Brian Selznick's best selling "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and Jean-Marc Vallee's "The Young Victoria." "Victoria" will be the first GK Film to begin shooting when it does so in the UK this August. Introduced to the international marketplace at Cannes, "Victoria" stars Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria during her youth. King will remain a principal at Initial Entertainment Group and the agreement will extend Warner Brothers first look deal to Initial's titles. His current creative executive team is headed by President of Production Gail Lyon and also includes Vice President of Production Grey Rembert and Production Executive Denis O'Sullivan. King recently won an Academy Award for producing "The Departed." [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Production ] iW NEWS | "Angels in the Dust" Finds International Distribution with Cinema Libre
Cinema Libre Studio will distribute director Louise Hogarth's film, "Angels in the Dust." The documentary is about the AIDS crisis in South America and follows Marion Cloete and her family, who give up a life of privilege to establish a village and school that provide shelter, food and education to South African children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. "Angels in the Dust" was produced by Dream Out Loud Films and Participant Productions. Cinema Libre will be responsible for distributing the film in the US and selling it internationally. [Ashley Adams] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 20, 2007 CANNES '07 DISPATCH | Considering 'Cinema' As Cannes Celebrates 60 Years; Climate Change Revisited; and Directors Insights
There were no easy answers about the state of cinema on Sunday when Cannes welcomed some of the world's leading filmmakers to celebrate the festival's 60th Anniversary. And finally, frustrated over the questions posed by journalists during an hour-long discussion featuring the thirty or so filmmakers, director Roman Polanski walked off the stage near the end of the session. The move created a particularly awkward public moment as the Cannes formally commemorate its anniversary on Sunday. Even before his early exit, Polanski was the center of attention during the discussion, fielding numerous questions and then engaging Atom Egoyan in a debate about the future of cinema. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 2 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ] iW NEWS | Roberts Leads New Working Title Slate
Working Title Films has announced an impressive slate of films, six of which will shoot this year and be distributed by various divisions of Universal Pictures. A freshly announced Julia Roberts project about the life of African wildlife conservationist Joan Root leads the list. Roberts will produce and star in the as-yet-untitled film, inspired by Mark Seal's Vanity Fair aticle, "A Flowering Evil." "Finding Neverland" writer David Magee is writing the screenplay. Working Title's additional list is lead off by the Coen brothers, shooting "Burn After Reading" later this summer. It stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, and Frances McDormand. The Coens will follow it up with "A Serious Man." Both films are part of a deal with Focus Features and Working Title, with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner serving as producers. Pitt will also star in "State of Play," based on the BBC mini-series about the murder of a congressman's mistress. Kevin MacDonald will direct from Matthew Carnahan's screenplay. The other films include Ron Howard's adaptation of "Frost/Nixon," which Peter Morgan will adapt from his own play; "Imperial Life in the Emerald City," directed Paul Greengrass and set in the Iraq War; and Richa |