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Premiere Festival in Every Way |
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| Premiere festival in every way
The 51st Cannes festival will be known for its world premieres," Gilles
Jacob told Moving Pictures on Wednesday. "It wasn't planned that way –
it just happened!"
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| According to the festival's own count, there were 45 world
premieres in the Official Programme (including Competition, Special Screenings
and Un Certain Regard) out of a possible 58 – that's a 78% ratio. Never
before has the percentage been that high. "Let's just say it was a good
production year," mused a relaxed festival director. "Who knows what we'll
be offered next year?"
Jacob is also pleased that the Hollywood studios have finally taken notice of the abundant international launch possibilities provided by the opening and closing night slots. In another Cannes first, Roland Emmerich's Godzilla will premiere almost simultaneously (the difference is just a couple of days) in America and Europe. "Cannes has opened up a new commercial release window in the French market," he confirmed. "After the astonishing success last year of Luc Besson's The Fifth Element in the opening night slot, a lot of producers are now convinced that May is as good as September for a European release." "As far as the on-going discussion on our dates are concerned, Cannes will always be a May event," Jacob added. "You can set your calendar by the Ascension Thursday national holiday towards the end of the festival, with Sunday down as the closing night." Queried about the festival's streamlined catalogue, stripped of printed ads, Jacob felt that this innovation too was "something exciting." The catalogue is not just a 'collector's item' for cineastes, festivaliers and film historians. "The festival wants to be in the forefront of information on worldwide cinematography. And although archival information places a greater stress on the staff, it's something Cannes is in a better position to handle than any other festival in this age of the Internet." In this regard, Jacob is particularly enthusiastic about the possibilities of the Cinefondation as a new festival category. "It's a logical development of the Camera d'Or award for first feature films. "Now we have a chance to spot talent in short film production too." Jacob confirmed that all 15 of the young directors in the Cinefondation were invited to the festival for a three-day stay. Along the same lines, Jacob views Cannes as the place where "the mix" is extremely important. "It's a personal delight to see 18-year-old Samira Makhmalbaf (The Apple) rubbing elbows with 90-year-old Manoel de Oliveira (Inquietude) – in a real sense that's what Cannes is all about." Queried about the new market building to be erected directly behind the Palais des Festivals, Jacob confirmed that the addition will be ready in two years. "It will have ample room for all International Film Market (MIF) representatives." Ron Holloway |
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