Cannes 2005
Monday
9th May
After a smooth and effortless flight to Nice, we're now on the Cote d'Azur. And yes, the weather's great. Our slate of films is ready and so are we.
Looking forward to meeting up coming filmmakers like ourselves, the established and the downright insane. Plus witnessing (and hopefully experiencing) all the hoopla of the forthcoming premieres.
Tuesday 10th May
Not all the stands are prepared yet, but they should be by the morning. There are again, countless numbers of films worldwide here that will be unleashed to the world's cinemas in the coming months.
And this evening, we have just completed our first meeting with a P&A company based in New York at the Hotel Majestic Barriere.
This is the calm before the storm.
Wednesday 11th May
Now, after the first rain we've seen since the UK, we finally hit Cannes! And it hasn't changed a bit. The posters have changed, but we're still dodging toy dogs, Ferraris and mopeds.
Thursday 12th May
After a quieter day yesterday, we're back on the Croisette.
The buyers and sellers are in full swing and it can get manic here. The premieres have kicked off too with celebs, people in tuxes and dresses and a multitude of people in suits with mobile phone attachment protruding from their heads everywhere.
Managed to get a glimpse the lovely Scarlett Johansson and Emily Mortimer yesterday at the premiere of Woody Allen's "Match Point". But only a glimpse - from afar!
Last night we saw Shadowing "The Third Man", a documentary on the making and the myths behind the excellent The Third Man. We stayed on for the Q&A later and we're treated to an appearance by the legendary Guy Hamilton (who also spoke French to the surprise of the translator).
And the weekend will see more events. There's the Raindance pitching event tomorrow and the London Script Consultancy event on Sunday as well as more meetings.
The sun is still beating down on us and the layers of factor 20 sun cream are keeping us from harm. OK, onwards and upwards.
Watch this space.
Saturday 14th May
Rain, rain and then more rain. Good thing we packed the
brollies.
OK then. A wash out of a morning but we did well to get to Raindance's pitching event in the St George's Pavilion outside the Grand Hotel. Thanks to Elliott Grove and Raindance for the event (shelter, networking opportunities and the strong booze!).
Plus thanks to the excellent Shooting People for their notice for the Sony boat party too. Looking forward to the beach party on Tuesday. Should be fun.
While we were on the Sony boat, Hayden Christensen and Mischa Barton were having a photo shoot on the boat next door. Thought the paparazzi were after us!?
More meetings with international production companies and national film boards have been interesting and we've discussed, chatted and pitched like mad to all and sundry. It's been fun.
Sunday 15th May
A great competition by the London Script Consultancy today. David pitched in the second (and final round) this afternoon. Less walking around, and more sitting in the UK Pavilion listening to some very entertaining pitches and stories. No sun burn today then.
Met
a lot more friendly and keen UK based filmmakers. Hello to anyone who we've
met recently and are reading this.
The Star Wars (Revenge of the Sith) premiere tonight. If we go along to join the vast crowd (hundreds of which are already camped outside) to watch the red carpet walk of Mr Lucas and the stars of the show, we might just be able to recognise each one as their plastic toys, that's how big they'll look to us!
Monday 16th May
Sunday Night
Thanks to Sgrin Wales/Cymru for an excellent party last night. There were many an honourable and famous guest there to schmooze, network and watch the sun set.
A nominee for Oak Tree Films' "Surreal Cannes Moment 2005": following the opening of the premiere of the new film involving wars amongst the stars!! the group of storm troopers (that were on the red carpet) were walking/marching along the Croisette. Graham spotted them, and as a fan ran to get a photo, only to have the Troopers' bouncer tell him "no photos" and that they off to a party! Surprisingly enough, they wouldn't tell him where the party was or how to get tickets.
As for Graham and David, it was the obligatory visit to the Petit Majestic for more alcohol fueled networking.
And on to today. There's a massive thunderstorm kicking off. It's absolutely sodden here now. There's also a public transport strike. Not fun. Time to take it easy and recharge the batteries.
Tuesday 17th May
A better day already with no strikes - or rain - and the
guys from Troma doing their annual noisy and colourful walk along the Croisette.
The number of Troma stickers on peoples' front and backs is amusing.
Lots more meetings and better reviews for the films here. Apparently the quality of the films have picked up these last two days. There are mixed reviews over the films since last Thursday with David Cronenberg's The History of Violence and Lars Von Trier's follow up to Dogville, Mandelay, being well received by the critics. We'll hopefully catch up with them at the end of the week.
Wednesday 18th May
Unfortunately, due to the torrential rain, the Shooting People party last night had to be cancelled, so we opted for a Chinese meal and a viewing of "Wolf Creek". A horror film "based on true events" in the Australian outback. A decent and disturbing film that got many a discussion point raised later.
One thing we did get from the night is that at least we can now say that we were in the same room as Harvey Weinstein. The guy does exist. That beard isn't much of a disguise!
On to business: weary following an intense week at Cannes, we move on. Some good meetings today, and lots more walking. We're truly adept at skirting round the dogs and the freakish little men in pink and green lycra (no, we're not delirious - Graham was just too slow with his camera to provide evidence of this).
Thursday 19th May
Caught a screening of Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's
"Sin City". Looks great and is a more than faithful transfer from the pages
to the screen.
We then round off our meetings - in fact book ending them all - in the Majestic (Barriere) Hotel. This one on the top floor balcony no less. Problem was, we could still here the pan pipers on the Croisette playing. This time it was "Hey Jude" - the entire song!
That evening, we attended "The Crop" beach party (check out www.imdb.com for the low down on this film). An excellent shindig and lots of fun.
Friday 20th May
Shattered. In need of a rest and some good films.
And lo and behold we get them. First, we saw Wim Wenders and Sam Shepherd's "Don't Come Knocking". And then the premiere of Tommy Lee Jones' feature length film debut "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada".
Both are mature, well made films that entertained and moved us. Both are highly recommended.
And that's it for us. We watch the Grand Prix go to Jim Jarmusch for Broken Flowers and the Palme D'or to Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for L'Enfant (on the big screen outside the Palais!) and the sun sets behind the old town; the business complete and the stars and hopefuls all but gone.
Wonder what's going to happen next year...?