Cannes Diary – Day 2
We were quite restrained at Disney/Pixar’s opening night party despite the copious amounts of champagne and the mountains of macaroons and other delights available. We spent most of our time chatting with Dave Calhoun from Time Out and Charles Gant from Heat, both of whom were very positive about the opening film UP.
There was much debate about the UK box office and the frustrations when great films we see in festivals, so often fail to make an impression on the cinema going public, when released back home. As the festival progresses we get caught up in the brilliance on screen and the whirlwind of enthusiasm by other festival goers, and have to remind ourselves that most of what we see here is of limited appeal outside the festival circuit and will be lucky to even get distribution.
The official competition got off to a British start with Andrea Arnold’s FISH TANK. Another beautifully composed example of social realism for you. The film has divided the Picturehouse gang, but the critics appear to like it, Peter Bradshaw giving it four stars in the Guardian and Dave Calhoun going one better in Time Out: a little too generous?
Un Certain Regard opened with Bahman Ghobadi’s NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS. A very different view of Tehran as two young friends struggle to put their band together in the city’s underground music scene.
Last film of the evening is an immense documentary. THE COVE is renowned stills photographer Louie Psihoyos’ film debut about the plight of the dolphin, and in particular the shocking discovery of what goes on in a seemingly impenetrable cove in Japan. This is one of those films that could and should transcend being a mere documentary and galvanize the public consciousness.
Picturehouse Top Five
- UP
- THE COVE
- FISH TANK
- MILK OF SORROW
- NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS
On a totally separate note, Charlie Kaufman’s SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK opens in the UK tomorrow. Can you pronounce the title?
