Hello and welcome to the first of the annual FrightFest Post Cards from Cannes for 2009. For the fourth year we are delighted to present what has become our traditional daily reports on the shenanigans and goings on at Villa FrightFest, along the Croisette and at the various parties that we manage by hook or crook to get ourselfs invited to, or not as the case is when we manage to blag our way into. We also spill the beans on the films spooling out in the various screening rooms dotted around Cannes.

This is the first of three sets of Post Cards of 2009 winging their way to you via the FrightFest web site this year. The others will be from the Toronto Film Festival and Fantastic Fest at the Alamo Draft House in Austin in September.

It’s now Tuesday, and we are in the calm before the storm. The festival kicks off tomorrow and the madness that is Cannes begins. There is an air of anticipation at Villa FrightFest. From tomorrow, it will be full steam ahead as we begin to knock off the films, hopefully good, but alas, I fear mostly bad, from a list that Paul has been diligently compiling for the last few weeks.

We have been in Cannes since Friday. Our logic was, let’s get down to the South of France nice and early, then we could have a few days to relax, and get ready for the festival. Frankly, we should have stayed in London. Just like last year, the weather has been much better at home.

So, because the beach has been a no-no, we have put the time to good use, spending the days watching various screeners and films from Paul’s list for his short film showcase. I have to say here and now, I don’t envy Paul this task. He sits through hours and hours of bum numbing films submitted to the festival. He sorts the wheat from the chaff, so we don’t have to. Although Alan and I gave him a hard time when we had to sit through a couple of hours of short films, I have to give him his dues, he has come up with some real little gems for his August showcase.

Tonight we’re off to the Wild Bunch party, or we’re not, as the case now is. In a sign of the times, we have just had a text letting us it’s now not on. Bugger. Always held on the evening before the festival starts, it’s usually a good warm up for the excesses to come. Never mind, we’ll stay in and play cards instead. Right.

This year's poster, see left, is the best for years, or so I think. There are a series of them with the girl, obviously meant to be Catherine Deneuve, going through the door and walking further across the field. You have to hand it to the French, they sure produce some classy art work.

The next Post Card from Cannes will be on the 14th once we get the first day under our belt.

Until later…

Ian.

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