Day by Day

Thursday 11 May
Wednesday 10 May

Cannes comments
from around the world

When in Cannes

Day Three : Friday 12 May

Van Damme Has Passion for Action in Cannes

The sun finally shone on Day Three of the Cannes Film Festival, heralding a promise of that famous South of France weather. Quel dommage, it was ultimately only a tease as the fog rolled in before noon.

The press conference for Jean Claude Van Damme on the terrace of the Noga Hilton could have been a picture perfect photo op with a shimmering Mediterranean in the background. Instead, Van Damme was shrouded in hazy mist and used his movie-poster smile to brighten up the cameras. In town to pitch his two new films, Replicant from Director Ringo Lam and the yet-to-be-filmed The Order from Director Sheldon Lettich, Van Damme spoke often of his passion for action as well as his joy at being fit for his fans.

"I'm back in shape," exclaimed van Damme, "and I want everyone to know it! God gave me a great body, and it's my duty to take care of my physical temple…using your body is also acting; as far as I'm concerned, Charlie Chaplin was an action star because his performances were all about the physical. It's hard to make an action movie with all the right elements; Replicant has all three-love, action and dramatic tension." Pre-sales of The Order at Cannes this week will cement offers to the high profile co-stars Van Damme wants to work with in the picture.

Digitally Speaking

Also atop the Hilton was the Digital Studio Soiree kicking off the highly speculative new media invasion at Cannes. Hosted by Honkworm.com, the mid-day luncheon was the content creators' first foray into the press-rich Cannes market. Mac McGary, Honkworm Vice President, offered a description of his company as the "haiku of filmmaking." He also explained the company's unique name was inspired by the study abroad experience of Swedish founder Johan Liedgren (to Nebraska, of all places) when he saw "Honk if you want bait for Worms" signs on the way to school.

Down the Croisette, the digital debate continued at the first annual FilmFestivals.com conference at Cannes, "Marketing on the Internet: A Revolution for Filmed Entertainment" at the Kodak Conference Center. The discussion was moderated by FilmFestivals.com CEO Malo Girod de l'Ain, and panelists included: Pierre Sissmann (Chairman of the Board Omniticket Network and former President of Disney Europe); Martin Even (Director of France 3 TV); Magnus Telander (Director, International Film Festival of Goteborg) and Jean Luc Nahon (CEO Ipergy). The five lead a dynamic conversation about the using the Internet as an entertainment marketing tool. From the discussion, speculation emerged that the Internet's use as a promotional tool for indie films would be corrupted by a larger corporate need. The panelists stressed that quantity should not override quality, but instead drive creation as online screening opportunities grow. Attendees were invited to share drinks on the beach post-conference where the spirited dialogue continued.

Speculation runs high

Major players are still not drying the ink on acquisition deals as fast as had been anticipated. However, the word is out that Miramax and Artisan are in negotiations to make Dirty Dancing Two with Ricky Martin and potentially Natalie Portman. This will be the first alliance between two companies. Additionally, the Coen Brothers have picked up a French distributor for their film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, screening here yesterday.

Today's major screenings include Mission to Mars (Official Selection, not in competition) from Director Brian de Palma who remarked, "In the United States, critics found my film to be very stupid." He later added, "Every ten years I reinvent myself." Also in the Official Competition is Nurse Betty from Director Neil LaBute.

At the Quinzaine (Directors' Fortnight), Nana Djordjaze presents her film Summer or 27 Missing Kisses; Peppermint Candy from Director Lee Chang-Dong (South Korea); Bread and Tulips (Pane e Tulipani) from Silvio Soldini (Italy/Switzerland); while The King is Alive from Kristian Levring (Denmark) plays in Certain Regard.

Overheard on the Croisette

Guests are still raving about the Vatel party that was as extravagant as the movie itself. In attendance were Uma Thurman, Gerard Depardieu, and the French Prime minister, Lionel Jospin. Fortunately, this time (unlike the movie), the fish did arrive -- lobster and sea bass with fennel served with Champagne.

Lionel Jospin (perhaps defending his appearance) praised Cannes as being a "window for the world into France" and noted that, although Cannes winners are sometimes controversial, referring perhaps to last year's Rosetta -- the festival remains the plucking ground of talent.

Joan Rivers, who will be doing a one on one conversation with Director John Waters (Cecil. B Demented) later in the Festival ended the day with a comment on Bo Derek: "She turned down the role of Helen Keller, because she couldn't remember the lines."

Kathleen McInnis & Kerry Shaw