Cannes Film Festival - first report

Barely a day old, by Thursday the 68th Cannes Film Festival already had the world and its mate cramming the Croisette. By evening they had filled all rubbernecker positions at red-carpet base camp. By midnight the opening film had been shown and the same thousands were sorting or susurrating the gossip.

Was it any good? Did it presage a vintage festival? What stars are/will be here and what movie will grab the Golden Palm?

First answer: no, French actress-director Emmanuelle Bercot's Standing Tall (La Tete Haute) isn't that good, but what Cannes curtainraiser ever is? The danger of dumbing down to the diamonds and DJ set (see last year's Grace of Monaco ) was combated this year - theoretically - by a tougher vehicle for a classy blonde diva. In the event Catherine Deneuve as a judge tussling with a delinquent boy (Rod Peridot) in a sub-Dardennes social drama was no more convincing than Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly, saving Monte Carlo from the Gaullist imperium.

Happily, Standing Tall was shown hors concours. The real reckoning began with the competition's starting pistol. It might be a vintage festival if it sustains the promise of two perky pacesetters: Hirokazu Koreeda's Our Little Sister and Matteo Garrone's Tale of Tales. Japan bestowed the Chekhov East tale, poignant and funny, of three sisters striving against sheltered lives, helped by the appearance of a never-seen half-sister. The Italian-directed film is a Pandora's box of medieval tales ranging across monsters, marvels, royalty and ruffians, with sex and violence on the side.

Much like Cannes, in fact. Answer to third question: lots of stars are in sight and the Palme d'Or is pickable from an auspicious roster of auteurs including Gus Van Sant, Paolo Sorrentino, Nanni Moretti and Todd Haynes. Jury presidents Joel and Ethan Coen, take it away.

festival-cannes.fr

Photograph: Reuters

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