Thierry Frémaux, the Festival’s General Delegate, unveiled the 2020’s Official Selection last Wednesday, comprising fifty-six films – they can go into other festivals and cinema runs bearing the Cannes logo. Watch the announcement conversation here (in French with an English language voiceover translation). And it is more of a conversation than a traditional announcement: Here’s… Cannes Film Festival Official Selection unveiled Read More
Cannes Film Festival: Official Selection 2020 reveal date, er, revealed
The line-up for the 73rd edition of the Festival de Cannes will be announced by Pierre Lescure, President of the Festival de Cannes, and Thierry Frémaux, the Festival’s General Delegate, live on Canal + on Wednesday 3 June at 6pm, as well as on the Festival’s website and across its social media. As every year,… Cannes Film Festival: Official Selection 2020 reveal date, er, revealed Read More
We Are One: A Global Film Festival launches with films from festivals around the world
The online festival, produced and organised by YouTube and Tribeca Enterprises, will run exclusively on YouTube from 29 May to 7 June at YouTube.com/WeAreOne. We Are One will feature programming from 21 festivals and 35 countries, including Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, London Film Festival and Venice Film Festival. Talks, VR content and… We Are One: A Global Film Festival launches with films from festivals around the world Read More
Cannes update: June/July postponement out, but hold the “Cannes Canned” gags
Festival de Cannes released a statement today acknowledging that their original spring-to-summer postponement idea won’t work, and that it’s hard to see Cannes operating this year in its usual form. They are, though, currently in talks with industry professionals to work out some version of Cannes 2020. Here’s their release in full: “Following the French… Cannes update: June/July postponement out, but hold the “Cannes Canned” gags Read More
Spike Lee announced as jury president at Cannes film Festival
Filmmaker Spike Lee has been announced as jury president at the 73rd Festival de Cannes, which runs from Tuesday 12 to Saturday 23 May 2020. The Official Selection and the composition of the Jury will be revealed in mid-April. In 2018 Lee returned to Cannes after a 22 year absence, with BlacKkKlansman, based on the true… Spike Lee announced as jury president at Cannes film Festival Read More
Cannes 2018: Lost In Film, Lost In France
I partied in a medieval turret over the bay. I was serenaded with a traditional song by an actor from Uzbekistan. I got an illegal red carpet selfie. I stood outside the Palais begging for a premiere ticket. I consumed more cheese than a ’70s gameshow addict. Oh and I saw some FILMS. This is… Cannes 2018: Lost In Film, Lost In France Read More
Cannes Film Festival: Quick Tips
Check out my long-read article on *my* 2018 Cannes Film Festival, or read my quick Top 15 Cannes Tips here: 1 Be nice to the festival security people, they’re trying to keep you safe (and are very helpful and friendly). 2 Check out the Journalists Terrace in the Palais Des Festivals for a chilled-out place to… Cannes Film Festival: Quick Tips Read More
2001: A Space Odyssey (Cannes 2018) 5 stars
I’m usually that person saying it’s okay to watch movies any way you can – Netflix, cinema, laptop, mobile phone. Hell, download it to your own eyeball then look for explanations in a recently-discovered ancient cave painting, if it works for you. But 2001: A Space Odyssey is one that, if you get the chance,… 2001: A Space Odyssey (Cannes 2018) Read More
BlacKkKlansman (Cannes 2018) 4 stars
There’s a big sign strung across the entrance to the Colorado Springs Police Department, encouraging new recruits from diverse backgrounds to apply. Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is soon their first Black police officer, fulfilling his lifelong dream. And once there, he also joins another outfit as their first Black recruit; the local branch of… BlacKkKlansman (Cannes 2018) Read More
Girls Of The Sun (Cannes 2018) 3 stars
ISIS fighters believe that if a woman kills them they don’t make it to Paradise, which gives the female Kurdish fighters in Eva Husson’s film another layer of fuck-you on top of their extraordinary bravery, and skill. In fact leader Bahar (Golshifteh Farahani) even answers the iPhone of a man they have just killed and… Girls Of The Sun (Cannes 2018) Read More
Fahrenheit 451 (Cannes 2018) 2.5 stars
I love the initial minutes of dystopian storytelling; how a society got to this point, the new realities of everyday life, and the capacity of the human spirit to absorb horrific change without challenging it. How much do they agree? How much are they hoping someone else will save them? Or maybe they just don’t… Fahrenheit 451 (Cannes 2018) Read More
Solo: A Star Wars Story (Cannes 2018) 3.5 stars
Solo is terrific fun, a blast, a movie that never feels too long. But also doesn’t quite reach the heights it aspires to. WARNING – this is slightly spoilery, including Han and Chewy, so if you want to go into the cinema in blissful ignorance about this and some other plot points, leave now, with… Solo: A Star Wars Story (Cannes 2018) Read More