| Opening
Day
Wednesday, 13 May
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UN joins Cannes Opening Ceremony |
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| The sun was in the sky, the Troma flyers were under the windshield-wipers,
the billboards announced the Armageddon or the arrival of Godzilla and
the fans were all set up with their compact cameras ready to capture the
stars ascending the Palais red-carpeted steps. They were not let down as
the leading players from the opening film, Primary Colors by Mike Nichols,
posed for the photographers. John Travolta was front and center enjoying
every minute of his fame, with his lovely wife Kelly Preston clinging to
his arm.
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The 51st Cannes Festival opened in a rather serious atmosphere, presented by French actress Isabelle Huppert wearing a sea-green Christian LaCroix dress. A smattering of film extracts from Martin Scorsese’ films preceded the presentation of the beardless jury president and jury members. Sigourney Weaver seemed to have difficulties walking in her floor-length violet dress and used the wall as a leaning post as she went down a short flight of steps before taking her seat among the other jury members. This 51st edition honored the 50th anniversary signing of the Declaration of Human Rights in Paris in 1948. The honored guest, General Secretary of the United Nations Kofi Annan, evoked that “cinema has always spoken out for freedom.” He addressed the artists, “it is your talent that inspires the world. Continue to sing out for tolerance and freedom. Use your creativity and fame. You are the heralds of the new humanity.” |
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Emma Thompson (in French) and John Travolta (in English) announced
the festival officially open. This leading couple in the film Primary Colors
are being associated with President Clinton and the First Lady as the story
line deals with a southern governor’s campaign for President of the United
States – sex scandals included.
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Apparently, Travolta even adopted a look and mannerisms matching those of President Clinton and received $20 million for the role. It is also said that a mere dozen people were constantly looking after him during the shooting of the film. The French Minister of Culture, Ms. Trautmann, was present
and hosted the dinner party following the opening ceremony. Rumors in French
circles are favoring Patrice Chereau’s Ceux qui m’aiment prendront le train
(Those Who Love Me Will Take the Train) as the official selection likely
winner at the onset of the festival.
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