Festivals

CANNES 2013: James Gray's THE IMMIGRANT

Glenn Heath Jr. — Sat, 25 May 2013 02:36:06 GMT

Few films have captured the level of complex pragmatism it must take for a desperate person to survive in a completely new place with no support or ideological context. James Gray’s arresting period-piece melodrama The Immigrant achieves this feat. Examining in fine detail the difficult experiences of a Polish woman named Eva (Marion Cotillard) who arrives at Ellis Island in 1921, the film constructs a sense of prolonged panic out of the most poetic images. Easy answers don’t exist in this film, just life-changing decisions that must be made quietly on a moment’s notice. Early scenes confirm that Eva has already been forced to make a few tough choices on the voyage across the...

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Cannes Deal: Sony Pictures Classics Picks Up Jarmusch's 'Only Lovers Left Alive,' Starring Swinton

Anne Thompson — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:07:49 GMT

"It would take a stake through the heart to keep Barker, Bernard and Leiner away from a good movie,” said producer Jeremy Thomas as Cannes 2013 drew to a close. Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all North American rights to Thomas and Jim Jarmusch's competition title "Only Lovers Left Alive," starring Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton, which played well for the press corps Friday in advance of its Saturday Cannes gala premiere. The film was produced by Thomas's Recorded Picture Company and Reinhard Brundig's Pandora Film. Christos Konstantakopoulos of Fairilo House served as executive producer. Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt, Anton Yelchin and Jeffrey Wright also star in "Only...

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Cannes: Guillaume Gallienne's 'Me Myself and Mum' Takes Directors' Fortnight Prize

Indiewire — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:35:27 GMT

Guillaume Gallienne's "Me Myself and Mum" won the two top prizes at the 45th Directors' Fortnight, earning both the Art Cinema Award and the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers' Prize. Serge Bozon's comedy-thriller "Tip Top" also received a special mention by the SACD jury. Prize for best European film in Directors' Fortnight went to "The Selfish Giant," the narrative debut of Clio Barnard ("The Arbor"). In "Me Myself and Mum," an adaptation of Gallienne's one-man show, is based on his own story of a childhood in which everyone -- including his mom -- assumes he's gay. Gallienne plays himself in addition to other roles; Diane Kruger co-stars. "Tip Top," an adaptation of Bill James'...

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Cannes Review and Roundup: James Gray's 'The Immigrant' Is Unengaging But Cotillard, Photography Shine

Matt Mueller — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:14:37 GMT

A pair of films addressing very different aspects of the American experience, and set 92 years apart, have screened in Competition over the last couple of days: Alexander Payne’s "Nebraska" and James Gray’s "The Immigrant." Sad to say, I had expectations for both but didn’t engage with either, although admittedly my perceptions may be tainted by the cumulative effects of a nine-day onslaught of early morning screenings and inevitable late nights. Festival fatigue has arrived! While they exist on opposing ends of the spectrum in terms of genre, tone and narrative ambition, both films do depict, in their own ways, an America that’s dog eat dog, money-obsessed and not especially harmonic...

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Cannes Deal UPDATE: Sony Pictures Classics Gobbles Up 'The Lunch Box,' Critics Week Audience Winner

Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:58:00 GMT

-Sony Pictures Classics has picked up all North American distribution rights to Ritesh Batra's "The Lunchbox," starring Irrfhan Khan ("The Life of Pi"). The film centers on a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system, and the budding relationship between a young housewife and an older stranger that this mix-up brings. The film won the Viewers Choice Award, the Rail d'Or, at Cannes Critics Week. (You can read more about the recently announced Cannes prizes here.) -Earlier, SPC won US rights to "The Past," the new film by Asghar Farhadi (director of 2012 Best Foreign Language Oscar winner "A Separation") starring Tahar Rahim, Berenice Bejo and Ali...

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Cannes: Winners Announced for Critics Week, Cinefondation and Europa Cinemas Label Prize

Beth Hanna — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:52:31 GMT

A number of awards are being announced out of Cannes. "Salvo," a Mafia romance co-directed by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, has nabbed the Critics Week Grand Prize, while Ritesh Batra's "The Lunch Box" has nabbed the Viewers Choice award, the Rail d'Or (acquisition news here); UK director Clio Barnard's "The Selfish Giant," an update of the Oscar Wilde short story focusing on the friendship between two boys, has taken the Europa Cinemas Label prize as Best European Film in the Directors Fortnight section; and the Cinefondation and Short Films Jury, headed by Jane Campion, has awarded the 2013 Cinefondation prizes. Full list below.The Cinefondation Selection consisted of 18...

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'The Immigrant' Director James Gray Says He Is 'Unabashedly Pro Immigration' at Cannes

Nigel M Smith — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:16:19 GMT

It was no surprise really that American filmmaker James Gray would be asked for his opinions on immigration policy during the Cannes press conference for his latest work "The Immigrant," simply given that title. Still, his response was a solid one that shed a great deal of light on the defining reason he went down the period route (it's set in 1921) for the first time with this film. In the film, Marion Cotillard gives a superb performance as Ewa, a Polish woman with a mysterious past who immigrates to New York in the hope of a better life for her and her sister. When her sister is detained by authorities and confined after she shows signs of illness, Ewa meets a seedy show runner (Joaquin...

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Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Cannes Critics' Week Winner 'The Lunchbox'

Indiewire — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:46:33 GMT

Sony Pictures Classics today acquired North American rights to "The Lunchbox," winner of the Viewer's Choice Award, Grand Rail d'Or, at the 2013 Cannes Critics' Week. Full release below: SONY PICTURES CLASSICS ACQUIRES CRITICS’ WEEK GRAND RAIL D’OR WINNER THE LUNCHBOX NEW YORK (May 24, 2013) - Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all North American rights to the Viewer’s Choice Award, Grand Rail d’Or, winner at the 2013 Critics’ Week, THE LUNCHBOX. The film, written and directed by Ritesh Batra, stars Irrfan Khan (LIFE OF PI), Nimrat Kaur and Nakul Vaid. THE LUNCHBOX is produced by Gunneet Monga and Anurag...

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Cannes: New Clip From ‘The Immigrant’; James Gray Talks Title Changes, Working With Joaquin Phoenix, Marion Cotillard & More

Rodrigo Perez — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:35:36 GMT

James Gray’s long-awaited period drama, “The Immigrant,” finally screened in Cannes early this morning. Featuring the excellent cast of Joaquin Phoenix, Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Renner, “The Immigrant” centers on a conniving pimp (Phoenix) who manipulates a destitute Polish immigrant (Cotillard) into a life of prostitution. Saddled with a sick sister, she works to pay for her medicine and her dismal life seems hopeless until a curious magician (Renner) enters it. Our reviewer called the film “carefully poised and slowly building to a resonant climax,” and that sounds like a James Gray film alright. Mostly unappreciated at home in the United States (but beloved in France), Gray...

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Cannes: Marion Cotillard On Learning Polish to Play 'The Immigrant' for James Gray (Who Reveals He Was Unfamiliar With the Actress)

Nigel M Smith — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:17:14 GMT

After a few title changes and long wait for James Gray fans (his last feature "Two Lovers" came out five years ago), the helmer's first period project "The Immigrant" finally premiered today in Cannes with many clamoring to know whether it would deliver the goods to come out of the festival as a surefire Oscar contender for distributor Harvey Weinstein. While some I spoke to didn't respond to the film's deliberate pacing (I did), the majority all agreed on one thing: Marion Cotillard is sensational in it. READ MORE: Indiewire Reviews 'The Immigrant' As Ewa, the Polish illegal immigrant of the title film forced into prostitution by Joaquin Phoenix's character after arriving in New York,...

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Cannes Review: James Gray’s Careful, Poised 'The Immigrant' Builds Slowly To A Resonant Climax

Jessica Kiang — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:46:15 GMT

A strangely chimeric movie, that only reveals its truest colors in its closing moments, James Gray’s “The Immigrant” which screened In Competition this morning in Cannes is a meticulous reframing of the director’s familiar themes and concerns that mostly lived up to our high expectations, while never bursting their bounds the way we might have dared to hope. It’s a beautifully shot film marked by deeply felt performances from its leads, that will play to those attuned to the loveliness of Gray’s minor-key redemption stories, but is unlikely to win new converts among the impatient or those whose expectation of a period drama is something more traditionally epic and grandiose. In fact,...

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San Francisco Silent Film Festival's July Program of Classics Stars Brooks, Garbo, Fairbanks and Films by Pabst, McCay, Ozu and More

Meredith Brody — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:17:28 GMT

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival ticks all of my boxes when it comes to enjoyable filmgoing experiences: it's brilliantly programmed, takes place in a dazzling and comfortable setting, unspools over a compact and encompassable time span, and has a respectful and joyous audience that enriches the experience. And (bonus) it's located in a neighborhood full of enticing and affordable eateries. It's also value for money: for $210, you get a pass to the entire festival, which includes 16 different programs, each featuring live music, ranging from the celebrated English pianist Stephen Horne (a Pordenone regular) to the Matti Bye Ensemble from Sweden, with appearances by the famed...

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Cannes Interview: Chandor Directed Silent Redford in 'All Is Lost,' Press Conference

Matt Mueller — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:25:45 GMT

Following the Cannes debut of "All Is Lost," many have been left wondering why J.C. Chandor’s man-vs-sea saga wasn’t selected for Competition. The film’s compelling and increasingly harrowing narrative, about a man on a solo ocean voyage who ends up in dire straits after his sailboat collides with a cargo container, played tremendously well with critics and the black-tie crowd attending its red-carpet gala, who gave it a nine-minute standing ovation. Redford, who is the only actor in the film and hardly says a word, delivers a performance of astonishing and emblematic potency. As for Chandor, he’s two-for-two now, with "All Is Lost" joining his impressive debut "Margin Call." We sat down...

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'Salvo' Tops Cannes Critics' Week Winners

Peter Knegt — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:29:00 GMT

Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza's "Salvo" won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival's 52nd Critics’ Week. The film -- about a romantic relationship between a hitman and the sister of someone he's murdered -- took both the Grand Prix and the France 4 Revelation Prize. Other major winners included Daria Belova's "Come and Play," which won best short film, Sebastien Pilote's "Le Demantlement," which won best screenplay. The program's jury was led by Portugese director Miguel Gomes, and also included Dennis Lim, program director at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Neil Young, co-director of the International Film Festival Bradford, and journalists Alin Tasciyan and Alex...

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Cinedigm Acquires Reggio/Glass/Kane's 'Visitors,' Presented by Soderbergh, to Debut at Toronto International Film Festival

Anne Thompson — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:08:22 GMT

Fans of the Godfrey Reggio/Philip Glass "Qatsi" trilogy can look forward to a fourth movie, "Visitors," which Cinedigm has acquired for North America. The black-and-white digital film will world premiere with a live Toronto Symphony Orchestra performance of Glass's score at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival this September. Cinedigm plans to release "Visitors" theatrically in 4K throughout Fall 2013. Seven years in the making, this collaboration from director Reggio, composer Glass and filmmaker Jon Kane follows "Koyaanisqatsi," "Powaqqatsi," and "Naqoyqatsi." “For a world on speed, in rush hour, this film is counter-intuitive to contemporary image-making," said Reggio....

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Cannes Film Festival Diary: Le Dernier Jour

Tom Christie — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:18:33 GMT

“Carey Mulligan is an oyster.” So said a French photographer outside a cafe on the rue Hoch. Five of us were sitting around, with Christine in the middle, which is to say that everyone knew her; the photographer was a colleague from Paris, and was just coming from the red carpet at the Palais. He shoots conflict zones normally, but the red carpet pays, especially in Cannes. The photographer was particularly happy about a shot he got of Nicole Kidman french-kissing her husband Keith Urban. Someone asked him if he yells at the celebrities the way some photographers do. “Sometimes you have to,” he said. “ It’s so that they look at you.” Much more saleable.And that’s where Carey Mulligan...

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Cannes Market: Weinstein Co. Nabs Stephen Frears' 'Philomena,' Starring Dench and Coogan

Beth Hanna — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:53:00 GMT

-The Weinstein Company has acquired distribution rights for the US, Canada, the UK and Spain to director Stephen Frears' ("The Queen") latest, "Philomena," starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. The film, based on the novel "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee," centers on the true story of an Irish woman, Lee (Dench), searching for the illegitimate son, Michael, she gave up for adoption. The grown-up Michael is a closeted gay lawyer and Republican politician in 1980s Washington D.C. who's similarly been looking for his birth mother, but with tragic information to relay: He's contracted AIDS. TWC plans an Oscar-friendly fall 2013 release. -In one of the highest-profile deals inked at the...

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'Like Father, Like Son, Oscar Isaac and Adèle Exarchopoulos Lead Odds For Cannes Winners On Website

Peter Knegt — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:25:29 GMT

Every year, Neil Young's website keeps a running list of odds for major prizes at major festivals, including Berlin, Venice and indeed Cannes. For the past week or so, he's been updating the latter for the ongoing edition of the fest, listing odds for the Palme d'Or and best acting prizes. Currently (though this could change by the time you click this link), Young has Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Like Father, Like Son" as the slight frontrunner for the top prize, with 9-2 odds. That's just in front of Abdellatif Kechiche's "Blue Is The Warmest Color" (5-1 odds), Asghar Farhadi's "The Past" (6-1 odds), Paolo Sorrentino's "The Great Beauty" (7-1 odds) and Joel & Ethan Coen's "Inside Llewyn...

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Cannes: Alexander Payne Explains Why He Shot 'Nebraska' in Black and White and Cast Will Forte as His Dramatic Lead

Nigel M Smith — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:53:35 GMT

With this year's edition of the Cannes Film Festival winding down (it concludes on Sunday), it's easy to forget there are still some heavy hitters left to premiere in the Competition, one of which, Alexander Payne's "Nebraska," screened this morning for press before its gala later on. Warmly received by the audience in attendance, who clapped enthusiastically right through to the end of the credits, the black and white family dramedy is smaller in scale than Payne's last Oscar-winning effort "The Descendants," but no less touching, wry and truthful in its depiction of a fraught family dynamic. "Saturday Night Live" alum Will Forte and acting legend Bruce Dern -- in a career rejuvenating...

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The Coens, Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan & Oscar Isaac Give Seven Easy Steps to Get To Know 'Llewyn Davis'

Brian Brooks — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:47:46 GMT

The Coen Bros' re-visit of the early folk music era in New York's Greenwich Village was certainly not lost in translation here in Cannes where it was received with almost universal affirmation earlier this week. "Inside Llewyn Davis" may also mark a turning point for actor Oscar Isaac, who's presence is in virtually every frame of the film; he even gets to show off his musical chops, while carrying the film about an unheralded folk singing talent who attempts to succeed solo after the suicide of his singing partner. Isaac gets a bit of on-screen competition from a feline who may very well upstage the winner of the unofficial Palme Dog prize, which is annually awarded...

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Latinobuzz: Films in Progress 24 Opens Its Call for Submissions

Sydney Levine — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:30:00 GMT

This is one of the 3 most important events for Latino films seeking post production financing, sales agents and distribution. Films in Progress, the twice-yearly event organised by the San Sebastian Festival and Cinélatino, Rencontres de Toulouse, is now receiving submissions for its 24th edition. The aim of this initiative is to help achieve the completion of Latin American films at the post-production stage. Films in Progress 24 will take place in San Sebastian on 23rd, 24th and 25th September 2013 as part of the Festival’s 61st edition. For the first time, the event, will run for 3 days to coincide with the II Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum. The...

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CANNES 2013: Nicholas Winding Refn's ONLY GOD FORGIVES

Glenn Heath Jr. — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:02:57 GMT

In Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives, to witness God is to experience the devil. The grim reaper glides through the night in the form of Chang (Vithaya Pansringarm), a corrupt police enforcer who lords over a seedy neon-dipped slumhole in Bangkok as judge, jury, and executioner. In the early moments of the film, after a thuggish American ex-pat boxing promoter named Billy (Tom Burke) rapes and kills a 16-year-old local girl, Chang steps in and allows the victim’s father a chance at brutal revenge. The grieving man takes it. This sets in motion a series of escalating retaliations involving Billy’s brother and partner Julian (Ryan Gosling) and their visiting horror-show of a...

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The 2013 Cannes Review Report: 'All is Lost'

Steve Greene — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:29:01 GMT

The Cannes Review Report rounds up each day's notable premieres, along with a sampling of their reviews and tweets from the south of France. Below is a collection of reactions to "All is Lost," the new film from "Margin Call" director J.C. Chandor."All is Lost" Category: Out of Competition Director: J.C. Chandor Starring: Robert Redford Synopsis: "Deep into a solo voyage in the Indian Ocean, an unnamed man wakes to find his 39-foot yacht taking on water after a collision with a shipping container left floating on the high seas. With his navigation equipment and radio disabled, the man sails unknowingly into the path of a violent storm. Despite his success in...

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Cannes Review: Cannibal Tale ‘We Are What We Are’ Threatens To Give Horror Remakes A Good Name

Jessica Kiang — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:55:00 GMT

“When I saw his movie,” said director Jim Mickle in his opening thank you to Jorge Michel Grau, the director of “Somos Lo Que Hay,” “I was jealous of everything: the idea, the plot, the style, and jealous that it was playing at Cannes in Director’s Week.” And so Mickle went about securing the rights to remake the hit Mexican film, co-opting the idea, the plot and elements of the style for his English-language “We Are What We Are ” -- co-written with frequent collaborator Nick Damici -- which played yesterday in Cannes, as part of, oh yes, Directors' Fortnight. It’s a nice narrative to have surround your picture, and the admiration between the directors is mutual, as we reported...

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'Only God Forgives': Gosling No-Show at Cannes, Press Conference, Review Roundup

Matt Mueller — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:10:51 GMT

"Only God Forgives" was unveiled Wednesday morning to the most divisive response at the Cannes festival thus far, and even with the smattering of boos and walkouts we’d hazard a guess that Nicolas Winding Refn couldn’t be more delighted by the reception. As empty, soulless, frenziedly art-directed viewing experiences go, "Only God Forgives" is one of the better examples. At the press conference following the screening, the Danish filmmaker expounded on his ultra-violent, hyper-stylized follow-up to "Drive," which features dismemberments, torture, eye gouging, Kristin Scott Thomas as a trashy, bestial, peroxide-wigged mother who calls her son’s female companion a “cum dumpster” and Gosling...

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