The films of David Cronenberg typically explore body transformation, body parts coupled with technology, the intertwining of the psychological with the physical, and gore, lots of gore. His new film that premiered at the festival – ‘Crimes of the Future – is no exception.
In the film, a couple (played by Lea Seydoux and Vigo Mortensen) use their body organs as performance art, organs that are ripped apart from the body during a live show. It’s no surprise that people have walked out of the screenings, it’s too much to take. Kristin Stewart plays an investigator with the national organ registry, who takes a liking to the couple and their ‘art,’ but her performance is one-note and non-dimensional – hard to believe she was just recently nominated for an Oscar for ‘Spencer.’
‘La Jauria,’ directed by Colombian Andres Ramírez Pulido, is about a pack of young men in an experimental minors’ prison in the Colombian tropical forest in which all the actors are first timers. They are on the cusp of becoming men but must pay for their crimes in harsh conditions. ‘La Jauria’ deservedly picked up the grand prize award in the Critics Week Semaine de la Critique strand of the festival.
Always a highlight of Cannes is the Raindance Film Festival party. Yes it’s a London-based Film Festival holding a party in another city – why not? Held in a beautiful villa not far from Cannes Old Town, hosts actor Sean Cronin and Raindance founder Elliot Grove warmly greeted their guests, with the help of PR extraordinaire Catherine Lyn Scott. Seen at the party were British actor Jimmy Akingbola, Cypriot actress Daphne Alexander, television personality Carrie Bernans, Raindance producer David Martinez and L.A. based fitness guru and cover model Santana Rodriguez.
By: Cem Kaplan
Fabuk Photographer: Mariana Cattoir