Besides loads of feature films the Cannes Film Festival also shows quite a few short films which they refer to as Courts Metrages. I saw the best of the selection on day 7.
‘Anna’ told the story about a single overweight Ukrainian woman who has a hard time looking for love; actress Chloe Sevigny directed ‘White Echo’ about a woman and her relationship with a higher power; while ‘The Nap’ touched on a young man who has a predilection for much older women.
A Rendevous with Sylvester Stallone was one of the highlights of the day. The 72-year old actor, who looks much younger, spoke about his long and very successful career starting out with his first ‘Rocky’ film – where he literally had no budget – to ‘Rambo’ and all the sequels thereafter. He’s witty, charming, very funny so it’s no wonder that he’s persevered and has never lost his popularity after all these years. Later that evening he was to be present at a late showing of ‘Rambo – First Blood’ in the Grand Theatre Lumiere.
The premiere of ‘It Must Be Heaven’ was held mid afternoon. Elia Suleimam, the Palestinian actor and director, wrote, directed and stars in this film about a screenwriter trying to shop his script around to various production companies in various countries but has no luck because his film is ‘too Palestinian’ all the while he’s witness to quirky goings-on wherever he goes. It’s a very funny and well done film and is a strong contender for the Palme D’or prize.
Un Certain Regard
This strand of the festival had 18 films in the competition where 9 were first films. This casual awards show, and not as formal and glamorous as the Closing Ceremony the next evening where the top top prizes are given out, saw 7 awards presented including one for Best Performance to Chiara Mastroianni for ‘Chambre 212,’ Kantemir Balagov for ‘Beanpole,’ and the grand prize went to ‘The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao.’
The Queer Palm Award and Party, which took place again this year on the rooftop of the beautiful Five Seasons Hotel, steps away from the Palais, gives the award to the best LGBT film of the festival. This year the went to Celine Sciamma for her film ‘Portrait of a young lady on fire.’ It’s the first award to go to a female director and lesbian film in the Queer Palm’s 10 history. Susan Langdon of Toronto Fashion Incubator, actor Kyle James, French Comedienne Kee-Yoon Kim, film director Lukas Dhont, and head of jury Virginie Ledoyen were seen at this party, which rocked very late into the night.