17 - 23 May 2001
Issue No.534
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 17 - 23 May 2001 Issue No.534 |
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Limelight
Cannes is the name, chaos is the game
Chaos is come again to the land of the French! It comes once a year, in the month of May and settles comfortably at the enchanting sea resort of the famous French Riviera. It is called "Festival de Cannes"! Meticulously planned, superbly organised and diligently managed, it is chaos nonetheless. An organised disarray of merry-making, heart-leaping, never-ending gala begins. How can it be avoided when this year 5000 members of the written press alone, not to mention radio and TV personnel descend on the otherwise sleepy resort?
The Cannes Film Festival is the most widely covered international media event second only to the Summer Olympics, which is held once every 4 years. For two whole weeks not one inch of real estate is available at all the outrageously priced Croisette luxury hotels, villas, apartments, and pensions. Mayhem reigns on opening night, as filmdom's elite arrive. The madding crowd line up on either side of the "Majestic" entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of the many stars, guests and VIPs as they walk the famous "red carpet" on their way to the "Grande Salle" of the Palais du Festival.
This year's opening night selection was Hollywood's musical extravaganza "Moulin Rouge" evidently an appropriate choice because of its French connection. In attendance was the film's star, the scintillating Nicole Kidman and the film's director fellow Australian Baz Luhrman. Can-can dancers delighted the street crowds as they kicked the night away till the wee hours. The party by the Australian delegation following the film's screening, lasted till 6am - The fireworks have begun!
Celebrating its 54th anniversary this year Cannes has increased its volume of films by 29 per cent bringing the figure shown to 1798, 854 long features and 944 short films. This is at least twice the number of films shown at any other festival around the world.
Cannes has steadily become the granddaddy of all Festivals. Though by no means the oldest. Italy reserves that honour, having launched its first film festival in Venice back in 1932, Cannes has aggressively taken the lead in all categories. For two frenzied weeks the Croisette or boardwalk becomes the centre of the world to film lovers, who rush to relish the charm and cheer awaiting them on the beaches of the Riviera. Here they assemble to see, to learn, to buy, to sell, to plan, and to create. Film is serious business and the purpose of a film festival is to advance the art and industry of filmmaking. It is a major launching market for buyers and sellers. Cannes continues to contribute expertly to this goal, establishing itself as the creator and innovator of major ideas and regulations. An example would be its 1972 decision to select the films for the festival from the recent productions of every country. Adopting that rule, they raised both the quality and the standard of the competition, making the Palme d'Or a most coveted prize, second only to the Oscars. Other countries quickly followed suit and film selection by the host country became a standard rule among major film festivals. Prior to that, films were chosen by their own countries. Though Egypt is not participating in any of the categories this year; Cannes retains a special significance amongst Egyptians because of its regular recognition of Egyptian films and filmmakers. It has adopted our favourite son, Youssef Chahine, and has honoured him on more than one occasion. Egyptian stars, writers, directors, and producers flock to the Croisette to be where the film action is - to be part of the movie frenzy that takes place once a year on the beaches of the romantic Côte d'Azur.
Nicole Kidman
photo: Reuters
Like French cuisine, easily palatable, wildly desired and greatly admired, this festival has overtaken the staid and serious ambience of Berlin and the dreamy-like festival of the sleepy lagoons of Venice. Effervescent and bubbly like France's best champagne, it covers the spectrum of both the serious and the frivolous.
This year it pays tribute to the great Italian director Vittorio de Sica, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. It is honouring Charlie Chaplin with the screening of Monsieur Verdoux, and in its international symposium, "Leçon de Cinema" it is celebrating the Golden Age of American Comedy. Uncharacteristically, Hollywood is heavily represented this year with 5 films in competition, including Dream Works' "Shrek" an animated fairy tale. That marks the first time an animated film has been entered in competition since the 1953 Disney production of Peter Pan.
Heading the jury of the long feature films this year is the distinguished Norwegian actress Liv Ulman, now turned writer-director. Among the aspiring 22 films in competition, is the Iranian entry "Qandahar" by director Mohsen Makhmalbaf - a Cannes regular. The film riveted audiences with its intimate handling of the raging civil war between Afghanistan and the Taliban.
The commercial impact of the festival cannot be overlooked. Film traders from around the world rush to buy and sell, film stars' hopes rise and fall with every passing day and starlets dream and pray as they steadily shed their garments. In every theatre, every centre, every auditorium, every foyer, films are being screened, deals are being made, hands are being shaken, and contracts are being signed. Every tongue from every continent can be heard, yet the language is the same. It is the international language of film. Jean Cocteau said it best when he described Festival de Cannes as a "microcosm of what the world would be like if people could contact each other directly, and speak the same language".
Cannes' meagre population of 5000 inhabitants rises to 50,000 during the festival. For the serious vacationer seeking rest and quiet on La Côte d'Azur, this is the worst of times. For the cinephile, the film buffs, the fans, the tourists, the onlookers, the vacationers, not to mention the army of voyeurs, this is a bit of heaven: it is the best of times. For all those who love the blissful pell mell that is Cannes in May, can they help but raise their chapeaux and shout "vive la France" "vive la bagatelle"!
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