Friday, May 17, 2013

2013 Cannes Film Festival: Day 3 Roundup

© FDC
  • Day 3 - Friday, May 17

    Recap of the third day of the 66th Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes), which runs until Sunday May 26, 2013.

    Screening In Competition today:
    • From France, Le passé (The Past) by Asghar Farhadi.

      His sixth feature and his Cannes debut. High expectations all around for this, the follow up to his Berlin Golden Bear and Academy Award winning A Separation (2011). A French drama starring Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim, and Ali Mosaffa.

      Official Synopsis:
      Following a four year separation, Ahmad returns to Paris from Tehran, upon his French wife Marie’s request, in order to finalize their divorce procedure. During his brief stay, Ahmad discovers the conflicting nature of Marie’s relationship with her daughter Lucie. Ahmad’s efforts to improve this relationship soon unveil a secret from their past.
    • From China, Tian Zhu Ding (A Touch of Sin) by Jia Zhangke.

      A previous winner of the Venice Golden Lion, Still Life (2006); this is his third film in the main competition at Cannes.

      Official Synopsis:
      Four people, four different provinces. A reflection on contemporary China: that of an economic giant slowly being eroded by violence.
    In the Un Certain Regard section:
    • From France, L'Inconnu du lac (Stranger By The Lake) by Alain Guiraudie.

      Official Synopsis:
      Summertime. A cruising spot for men, tucked away on the shores of a lake. Franck falls in love with Michel. An attractive, potent and lethally dangerous man. Franck knows this, but wants to live out his passion anyway.
    • From Italy, Miele by Valeria Golino.

      Competing for the Camera d'Or with her directorial debut.

      Official Synopsis:
      Miele is the story of Irene a 30 years old girl who helps suffering people.Terminal patients who want to make shorter the struggle with death, people whose suffering injure the dignity of an human being. One day a 70 years old man in good health, who simply thinks to have lived enough, asks her to help him.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

2013 Cannes Film Festival: Day 2 Roundup

© FDC / Guillaume Thierry
  • Day 2 - Thursday, May 16

    Recap of the second day of the 66th Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes), which runs until May 26, 2013.

    Two competition films were screened today:
    • From France, Jeune & Jolie (Young & Beautiful) by François Ozon.

      His fourteenth feature and second time in the main competition.

      Official Synopsis:
      A coming-of-age portrait of a 17-year-old French girl over four seasons and four songs.
    • From Mexico, Heli by Amat Escalante.

      His third feature and first time in the main competition.

      Official Synopsis:
      Estela is a 12 year old girl who has just fallen crazy in love with a young police cadet who wants to run away with her and get married. Trying to achieve this dream, her family will have to live the violence that is devastating the region.

    In the Un Certain Regard section:
    • Opening the section from the USA, The Bling Ring by Sofia Coppola.

      Her fifth feature film. It stars Emma Watson, Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Claire Julien, and Taissa Farmiga.

      Official Synopsis:
      In the fame-obsessed world of Los Angeles, a group of teenagers take us on a thrilling and disturbing crime-spree in the Hollywood hills.
    • Also from the USA, Fruitvale Station by Ryan Coogler.

      Competing for the Camera d'Or with his 2013 Sundance Grand Prize winning debut feature.

      Official Synopsis:
      "This is the true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air. Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions...

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

2013 Cannes Film Festival: Day 1 Roundup

The 66th Festival de Cannes opens today and all the big names and faces are set to gather on the Croisette for twelve days of cinematic festivities.

All the action begins this evening starting with the Opening Ceremony, hosted by the star of last year's festival closer Thérèse Desqueyroux, French actress Audrey Tautou.

Tonight's ceremony will be followed by the European premiere of Out of Competition opening film, The Great Gatsby by Australian director Baz Luhrmann.

Mistress of Ceremonies: Audrey Tautou