The cameras were set on one of America's favorite couples, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon in Cannes for his latest film, Cradle Will Rock, set in the Big Apple in 1930's where inspiring theatre actors and actresses are seeking the freedom of expression in an agitated cultural, social and political climate. Most of the very stellar cast play real persons (13 major characters) including a 22-year old Orson Welles, as the film is based on true events recounting the first performance of Blitzstein's "Cradle".

Tim Robbins is a versatile actor taking on roles ranging from comic to villain, (receiving the Best Actor award for his role in Robert Altman's The Player in 1992) and this may be the color of his directing as well.

Screenings were well received in Cannes despite the French press shying away from what they considered another polished Hollywood production lightweight in the originality department, and which was more focused on the other competition film Humanity by French director Bruno Dumont. A very unique style for this French northerner who already has 40 short, documentary and advertising films under his cap. His first feature film, La Vie de Jesus starring young non-actors, was programmed in the 1997 Cinemas in France receiving a special Camera d'Or mention going on to receive numerous awards and citations all over Europe.

Humanity is a tragic police story that is as much fascinating as disturbing and in which Dumont examines the metaphysics of morals and goes straight for the origin of instincts, thereby pushing naturalism beyond its limits and into provocation. Although difficult to watch, critics consider the filmmaking too skillful to dismiss.

Elsewhere on the planet

Star Wars is trying to take the movie headlines to the other side of the ocean as The Phantom Menace, episode 1, opened in 3,000 movie houses across the United States.

Digital Cinema

Star Wars once again. It is also being projected in 4 cybercinemas, while, in a big boost for the future of digital projections, Lucas announced that episode 2 would only come out in digital form. At Cannes, the digital center is called the MITIC addressing the issues behind digital cinema for the future. The conference titles of the day: Digital Cinema: an International Vision for Future Movie Theatres and What will be the Impact for Sales Companies? At the Miramar, the daily screening is digital: The Last Broadcast (US) running 90 minutes, broadcast daily from 15 - 22 May by satellite from Mountain View, California.