POSTCARDS FROM CANNES
May 20th - Day seven.

Well, this year has been the usual whirlwind of films, friends and new acquaintances with the addition of extremely variable weather conditions.

For me and Johanna it’s also been a new experience as we are promoting our INTO THE DARK : EXPLORING THE HORROR FILM project. In brief it is a 90 minute film exec produced by George A Romero that looks into the complete genre, with approx 100 interviews conducted – directors, actors, screenwriters, critics etc. As we have so much material it is also lending itself to a 5 episode TV production. Our sales agent Jinga Films have had huge interest from all over the world, so it’s very exciting for us. We also screened a specially prepared 30 second teaser on the huge screens around the Palais 873 times over the 2 weeks! Because of editing and clip rights it won’t be ready in time for FF but we will hopefully screen something.

Amongst the many films we have watched over the last few days (and we still have a pile of about 60 screeners to plough through) include…

BAD BIOLOGY the new Frank Henenlotter which is a wonderfully bad taste cocktail of sex and weirdness from the Basket Case man.

SURVEILLANCE from Jennifer Lynch. Some interesting ideas but ultimately an easily guessable denoument spoil this thriller.

SHAPE is a new Aussie shocker about a war veteran who can bring dead things back to life and proceeds to become embroiled with a snuff film maker and his victims.

BABYSITTER REQUIRED. This is a Lions Gate pick up and is a nicely plotted shake up of the old babysitter in peril routine.

We had a lovely evening under the stars on a yacht in the harbor with old friend and first time feature director Duncan Jones who was over promoting his fantastic looking MOON with Sam Rockwell in a SF tale including great looking vehicles and FX with music by Clint Mansell. It should be completed in November and I can’t wait.

The Times lunch – 2 days running is always a great way to catch up with all the Empire and Total Film mobs, who are buzzing around with there own agendas chasing the celeb talent and watching the competition screenings. Opinion is heavily divided on the new INDIANA JONES film, all love the new Woody Allen and THE CHANGELING from Clint Eastwood is meant to be fantastic – and a possible Oscar contender for next year.

Alan is now at his long awaited personal treat screening of a French film called DISCO.. yes wild horses couldn’t keep him away, and in an hour we are going to the market screening of David Gregory’s PLAGUE TOWN.

So, until next time

Paul.

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