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When in Cannes

Day Six: Monday 15 May

Star-Wave at Cannes

Actress Catherine Deneuve, who made her debut in Belle de Jour from Spanish Director Luis Bunuel, was here yesterday to pay homage to the late filmmaker as part of the festival's tribute to his work.

While Deneuve made her appearance, Jury President Luc Besson was a no-show at the presentation of a monument in honor of Joan of Arc. Apparently, he's had enough of the Saint who was the subject of his most recent film.

Actress Bridget Fonda was in town to promote her film, South of Heaven West of Hell. She hasn't been back to Cannes since attending the screening for Bertolucci's Little Buddha. Her fiancée Dwight Yokum just signed a deal on his Indie debut in Cannes over the weekend.

Harvey Weinstein (Miramax boss) and Peter Bart, (Daily Variety editor), sat down today at the Variety Pavilion for a very animated, very well-attended chat. To no one's surprise, the first question was whether Cannes "matters" to Hollywood. The indie-czar was quick to voice his support: "I always thought Cannes was the great plucking ground for movies," he said. "Cannes is a big gamble but when it works, it really works."

Weinstein was less forthcoming with praise for Gilles Jacob, who he referred to as the man who wanted to pass on films such as My Left Foot; The Crying Game, and almost Sex Lies and Videotape. When asked about the Cannes-Hollywood divide, the blunt-as-ever Weinstein noted that Gilles Jacob is NOT a presence in LA. This would have been a fantastic place to launch Mission Impossible 2."

"There has definitely been some unwillingness to accommodate the studios, Weinstein added, "Gladiator could have been an incredible opening night film. If you don't have glamour, it doesn't matter how artistic the films are."

Vanity, thy name is Cannes!

Apparently stars aren't the only ones concerned about image in this glitzy town. The local newspaper, Nice Matin reported this morning that "Cannes did not shine as it should have during the weekend," as too many trashcans were overflowing with trash. The newspaper speculated that the new arrival of sunshine, plus the fact that is was a weekend full of visitors, all contributed to the congestion. "Cannes has never failed so much to live up to its name" the report lamented.

Drying the Ink…

Gerard Depardieu announced the founding of a new production company, GMD. The French star will retain 40 percent of the ownership of GMD with producer Jean Pierre Guerinand. The remaining 20 percent will stay with the company. For now, neither Depardieu nor his fellow producers know their plans for upcoming films.

Cowboy Booking International (the North American distributor of West Beirut; The Life And Times of Hank Greenberg) and Antidote (American Saint) have announced their new joint venture, Code Red, aiming to acquire 10 or so films annually for U.S. distribution. Films first up are George Washington and In the Winter Dark.

Also in town are the hot Indie companies like Killer, Strand and Platonic; all of whom are looking for a deal one way or another. Seen moving fast between screening rooms and the American Pavilion were Marcus Hu (Strand) and Brad Simpson (Killer), and even the buyers from the big guns have that mid-fest determined-look fixed firmly on their faces.

Films at Cannes

Official Competition: Fast Food Fast Women from Amos Kollek; Yi Yi (A One and a Two) from Edward Yang; La Noce from Pavel Lounguine.

Out of Competition: Avril (April) from Otar Iosseliani; Honest from Dave Stewart.

Certain Regard : Abschied (L'Adieu) from Jan Schutte ; Le Premier du nom from Sabine Franel; Famous from Griffin Dunne (produced by Mira Sorvino and Dolly Hall).

Directors Fortnight: La Captive from Chantal Akerman; Some Voices from Simon Cellan Jones; Downtown 81 from Edo Bertoglio.

Critics' Week: Krampack by Cesc Gay.

Kathleen McInnis