Things are quiet at the 63rd Cannes. The Riviera is quiet. Travel ash problems haven’t helped but word is that there appears to be a shift for indies who feel going to Berlin is better to do biz rather than here. Apparently American presence is low too.
Robin Hood opened last night to lack lustre comments. Fashion is high here. The streets teem with perfect Sartorialist (http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/) candidates. Julie Marlow (SPAA) and I were stopped outside Valentino for a survey on their new shop front appearance which was tres chic. I could easily do an entire blog on French dogs replete with diamante VIP vests. Daschunds, West Highland Whites and my favourite, the French Bulldog.
The Screen Australia welcome drinks were well attended last night with the usual Oz producers in town and the weather was perfect on the balcony. Chatted to The Last Dragon director Mario Andreacchio. Keen for The Last Dragon to compete in APSA this year. It is the first film made under the co-production treaty that came into force between Australia and China in 2008 and is almost finished. Oz films screening in market are David Michod’s Animal Kingdom which took out the World Dramatic competition at Sundance this year. Beneath Hill 60, David Bradbury’s doco Going Vertical, Simone North’s thriller I Am You starring Guy Pearce and Miranda Otto, I Love You Too, Red Hill which had a flurry of sales at Berlin, Road Train, The Reef, Uninhabited along with eight other Oz films all screening and looking for buyers. Oz short Deeper than Yesterday by Ariel Kleiman competes in the Critics Week – Short Film competition.
Also looking forward to seeing Julie Bertucelli’s The Tree which was shot in the stunning scenic rim of Boonah just south west of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. It has a personal touch for me as I live there on weekends in an old Lutheran church and last year I met Frederique the French location scout at the Mount Alford hotel, our tiny village pub. He was looking for a big tree. We locals gathered around the bonnet of a ute pouring over his map sending him to check out trees in the area. He found the tree! It will be special to see my weekend life on the big screen in what is my first time at Cannes. The gorgeous Tracey Mair will arrive Monday to pound the streets for this film.
Can’t wait to see Jean Luc Godard’s portmanteau film, Socialisme, screening in the Un Certain Regard and rumored likely to be his last film. I mean how could you not? Especially starring none other than Patti Smith! Meetings with sales agents today. Finalising details for APSA’s international launch on the 16th and have dinner with the Australian Ambassador in France. Ooh la la.
French Poodle;
APSA 2009 Jury member Aden Young in Julie Bertucelli’s The Tree, Cannes Closing Night film shot in the Queensland town of Boonah