Cannes attendance takes hit from gloomy economy, while some films still shine
May 19, 2009
Films from France the UK stand out at the Cannes Festival despite clouds in the sky and on the economic horizon.
Some estimate that attendance at this year’s 62nd Cannes Film Festival is down as much as 30%. So far, the buying by prominent U.S. distributors is down almost 100%. However, although no major sales had been announced by the sixth day of the festival buyers and sellers alike said three well-reviewed Cannes competition movies were starting to attract attention. The best-received competition movie so far has been the French gangster movie “A Prophet” from director Jacques Audiard. The next most popular film is the UK entry “Looking for Eric” a mostly lighthearted story of a British mailman who turns to soccer superstar Eric Cantona for help in his life, especially to repair his fractured relationships with his ex-wife, daughter and two sons. Also form the UK, “The Fish Tank” is a smaller film about a single mother who brings home a new boyfriend, that is nonetheless attracting attention.
American Quentin Tarntino, who first hit Cannes in 1992 with Reservoir Dogs, is back again this festival with Inglorious Bastards, a World War Two drama starring Brad Pitt. On a lighter note, the Cannes Film Festival opened last Wednesday with Pixar’s soaring animated adventure “Up,” complete with 3-D glasses. The film was well-received, and its “uplifting” theme a welcome buoy to the mood of the times. “Up” tells the story of the adventures of a cranky widower and a young scout who fly away in a helium balloon-propelled house. Other notable films screening out of competition are darker, and include Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”, the anticipated final screen role of the late Heath Ledger (his role had to be completed by Johnny Depp and Jude Law); Sam Raimi’s horror film, “Drag Me to Hell”; and Michel Gondry’s “L’Epine dans le Coeur”.
In competition, members of the jury, led by French actress Isabelle Huppert, will be mulling over which directors from a lineup that includes Pedro Almodovar, Ang Lee, the aforementioned Quentin Tarantino and Ken Loach should receive Cannes’ coveted prizes, and the big one known as the Palme d’Or. Altogether, 20 films will vie for the Palme d’Or, which will be awarded at the festival’s close.
The slate at Cannes looks strong, but the economy is weak, so festival organizers and industry attendees are apprehensive about how the global recession will affect the event. Despite its lavish and glamorous reputation, the global economic crisis, budget cutbacks and a recession mindset have also spread to Cannes, with industry watchers expecting less flash and a more subdued event this year. Vanity Fair magazine has canceled its annual Cannes party, and someparties have swapped champagne for less costly sparkling wine. Off the red carpet, there is a pall over the sprawling festival market where movie deals are done. The deal-making and parties at Cannes will go on, but watchers expect a more subdued mood, and more yachts in the harbor to go unchartered this year.
The Cannes Film Festival closes on May 24 with Jan Kounen’s film Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky.
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