"PORTRAIT DE GROUPE AVEC ENFANTS ET MOTOCYCLETTES"

This is a documentary (more documentary than not) film that is showing out-of-competition here at Cannes this week. 

Was able to watch the film today privately in a session not in the planned format of screenings, and it was fascinating.  You don't have to be crazy about motorbike racing to enjoy the program.


Another highly-anticipated film, "L'EPINE DANS LE COEUR" is one that am hoping to view tomorrow or Tuesday. 

The most promising of the festival (in this forum's interest), might be "SKAZKA PRO TEMNOTU" / Tale In The Darkness.  This is a Russian film that has had some good publicity.  Unfortunately it is airing on Thursday afternoon and am already occupied, but am trying to score a promo-copy.  If so, will try to make caps of the film soon afterward.

There are interestingly enough, many more films with girl-actors this year than boy-actors.  Yet there are some promising films yet to find a distributor that hopefully will get more publicity and onto the big screen.

Others of interest, but not yet viewed are "Los Viajes Del Viento"------ "The Silent Army" (from the Netherlands, stars a 9-year-old that is supposed to be an emotional rollercoaster of a film), ----- and "Lars Og Peter" a short film that is definitely on the to-see list.

Due to a contract agreement, am a bit restrained from participation as much as normal at the festival this year.... but will try to post more about some of the most enticing and viewable films.  Of course, the best are not in competition, (with the exception of "Das Weisse Bande" / "The White Ribbon" which is also screening on Thursday in the afternoon and the nighttime.  Might be able to make the late screening if all works out.)

One other interesting film (but only because it stars a most famous former boyactor, Jean-Pierre Léaud) is a Taiwan-French production titled "Visage" which if memory serves correctly will be screened next Saturday.

Just a bit from what's going on here.

Thanks for the update Nicolas.
I'll have to surf on over to the Cannes website and see what they're offering this year.
Hope to read more about your impressions throughout the fest.

It's difficult to know exactly what to say with the outcome. 

A movie co-starring kids (boys) won the coveted Palm d'Or and it was in some ways a treat to be able to witness the event and ceremony first-hand. 

However, the movie is "Das Weisse Bande"  (The White Ribbon), a film from Austria.   Was able to see the movie last week, and am not at all thrilled with Isabelle Huppert and company's decision with the top prize being awarded to this production.

Essentially, it's a long (or at least it seemed very long) drama.... well-acted by the kids but extremely predictable story.  It's filmed in black and white and didn't need to be, the score is above average but nothing phenomenal except for the fact that it's yet ANOTHER film about a kids choir.  And how they use the music to keep their sanity, their purpose, their blablabla. 

It was only five years ago that the critics dragged us throught the oohs and ahs with  "Les Choristes", literally the same story rehashed.

But it seemed to get some great reviews here as well, so this one might get the same treatment.  Each to his own, but the whole thing was overdone.  Plain and simple.  Much like the effort of five years ago, but this one set in an earlier period (and wartime).

The reactions by some of the expected winners was needless-to-say not the best (on camera probably), but afterward no, and understandably so.


A personal highlight was seeing a short film titled "Lars Og Peter".  Describing the film isn't easy to do, simply because of the subject matter.   Ottensten is so believable, he's one of the better (current) child actors from northern Europe, and is even better than in "Uden for Kaerligheden".

Your negative review gives me some hope Nicolas.

I loved Les Choristes and generally dislike Haneke films so something's gotta give when I get the chance to see Das Weisse Bande.

Wait, what? The White Ribbon is by Michael Haneke? And you're saying it's a rehash of Les Choristes?

Whoa. I'm confused now.

Zabladowski wrote on 26. May 2009 at 04:17:



LOL...  I fully concur.


Of much greater interest to me however is 'Samson and Delilah' by first time director Warwick Thornton.

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cal-Q-L8 wrote on 26. May 2009 at 06:36:



Why? A cursory review says that Rowan McNamara is way too old to garner much discussion on this site. Is the film supposed to be just that good regardless?

It does look like a good movie, regardless of Samson's age. Based on the trailer, it doesn't look like any boy has significant screen time, but maybe Samson's brother is of interest?