Day by Day

Wednesday 17 May
Tuesday 16 May
Monday 15 May
Sunday 14 May
Saturday 13 May
Friday 12 May
Thursday 11 May
Wednesday 10 May

Cannes comments
from around the world

When in Cannes

Day Nine: Thursday 18 May

The playing field grows…

More companies are at last playing the game, buying and making deals as Strand buys Director Griffin Dunne's Famous. Miramax still leads the way with acquisitions and deal making (announcing acquisition of The Proposal starring Jennifer Esposito of TV's "Spin City"), however it's been reported that Artisan Entertainment has picked up rights to Robert Altman's Dr T. and the Woman, starring Richard Gere as well as signing a deal for Steven Seagal's new thriller, Kicker.

Can We Talk?

Joan Rivers and John Waters sat down to chat in front of a packed crowd at the American Pavilion today. Guests clambered over each other to see the tiny comedy diva and the cult-like director, who was in town to promote Cecil B. Demented, which screens today/tomorrow (midnight) out of competition. Joan Rivers was her usual effusive self, while her daughter (and talk-show) co-host Melissa watched quietly from the audience. She quizzed Waters about everything from his Catholic upbringing in Baltimore, to his 11-film resume, to his life as a homosexual -- all topics, which he addressed freely. Waters still lives in Maryland, near his parents, where his Hollywood success is never disruptive in daily life. "They figure you can't be that famous if you're still living in Baltimore," he explained.

Although he is known for his black comedy sense of humor, Waters noted that he only makes fun of things he "really loves" and that actors in his film need to be prepared to laugh at themselves. He said that Melanie Griffith, the star of Cecil had no problems with this. "I knew she was right for the role," he said, "when I knocked on the door of her movie star mansion, and she was wearing no makeup and tight leather pants just to lounge around the house."

He also spoke highly of Cannes, and admitted that his favorite element of being here is the flair for fashion. "I noticed a woman walking down the street yesterday in a white mink coat," he said "and she didn't care that it was 90 degrees. I think that kind of confidence is just great."

Waters said that what fuels him to keep producing films is a passion for his career. "I wake up in the morning every day and I'm excited about my job." Rivers expressed the same fulfillment with her career and proved it when she stayed long after the conversation to take pictures with fans and to sign autographs.

Parties finally get interesting…

At last, a Cannes party worth attending as Jody Patton and Clear Blue Sky Productions (Titus), who have Director Marleen Gorris's The Luzhin Defense at the Cannes Market, threw an exclusive private bash on her yacht, Meduse.

Small and intimate, the crowd of thirty were treated to Dom Perignon flowing freely the moment they stepped aboard the harbor-bound yacht (docked due to strong winds in Cannes harbor) and dozens of fresh canapés. The party was in full swing before the dinner buffet was served at ten, however guests Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall only stayed for an hour or so before heading off to other events, perhaps following The Crying Game producer, guest Nik Powell, who left early to join his mates to watch soccer.

Renaissance Films, the company started by Kenneth Brannagh ten years ago, was there to celebrate their new partnership with Clear Blue Sky Productions as were Killer Films (Christine Vachon) who have also just recently signed a deal with the Seattle-based company.

A few hours later, Dennis Rodman, the NBA star with no championship playoffs to be concerned about, created quite a stir at the Carlton Hotel when he entered with a woman in his arms, promptly dumped her on the ground and yelled "hooker" several times at the top of his lungs. Outside the Carlton gates, fans screamed for more.

Fans were also screaming at the Slamdance beach party but for a different reason. Slamdance had confirmation from their locale that the party bash could start at 9:00 pm but even so, the venue booked another party to go until 11:00 pm. Crowds went crazy trying to get in as, at first, only journalists were allowed past the gates. By the time everyone got in the door, the party kicked off to a high-octane level with plenty of truly Indie filmmakers dancing up a storm.

Doctor Mathilde Krim, a co-director of AmFar (Cinema Against Aids) reminded the press that the celebrity bash to benefit AIDS research was more than just a photo-op when she spoke about the women between the ages of 15 to 25, from under-developed countries, whose health lags greatly behind that of first world women.

After the press screening, there was a party at Palm Beach where diners such as Sean Penn, Jeremy Irons and Liz Hurley feasted on cuisine from culinary great Roger Verge (the Michelin 2-star chef/owner of Moulin de Mougins). Sponsors estimated that each table generated $100, 000 dollars for the cause.

Real life intrudes…

Not all was champagne and festivities as Cannes struggles to keep its reputation as a sun-drenched celebration of cinematic culture. There are more reports of violence, muggings and police over-reactions in recent days following the assault on PR head Nikki Parker over the weekend, as well as the mass gate-crashing that turned the party with the All Saints for Dave Stewart's Honest into a bad-tempered melee Monday. Those enjoying a drink on the Carlton Terrace on Tuesday evening witnessed local cops pounce on a fleeing youth and pummel him to the ground.

Yesterday morning police were called twice to the Palais, initially to control ticket-holders being denied entry to the 8:30 am screening of von Trier's Dancer in the Dark, then in an apparently vain attempt to restore order to the chaotic queue awaiting the opening of the ticket office. Apparently, the ruckus on the Palais steps was caused by the security staff's realisation around 8:10 am that Dancer was going to be an extremely popular film (something any exec or hack could have told them back in February).

Immediately a decision was made to restrict admission to journalists. Those who had queued for tickets the previous day were held back behind barriers; they greeted the journalists pouring past them with boos and catcalls. When it became clear that no further seats would be made available, one disgruntled ticket holder scaled the barrier and was promptly escorted away. It is not known whether she was charged.

Kathleen McInnis & Kerry Shaw