The 64th Cannes International Film Festival kicked into high gear with a galaxy of stars, writers, directors, producers, distributors and folks from all walks of life celebrating the film industry.
Robert De Niro head of the Jury voting “Tree of Life” as the competition overall winner and his jury colleagues actors Uma Thurman, Jude Law and Martina Gusman; the writer Linn Ullmann (daughter of Liv Ulmann and Ingmar Bergman); and the directors Mahamat Saleh Haroun, Olivier Assayas and Johnnie To awarded the “très” shy American director and writer, Terence Malick with the prize for the long awaited film, but he was not present to receive it.
Cannes is the only place I know where international business, partying and philanthropy mix. Deal after deal is made with over €700,000 Euro a day circulating through the 10-day festival. Any and everything from films to PR and marketing for films to theater chairs and popcorn makers are bought and sold.
Most “screenings” (showing of films in Cannes) have a party or reception before or after. Beyond grand screenings and the Red Carpet of the Palais, the dream of screening at Cannes is still viable for filmmakers. Most independent filmmakers show their films at the theaters outside the Palais, utilizing the Star, Lumiere, Gray d’Albion Hotel and similar venues. These screenings can cost between €500 to €1,500 Euros depending on date, time and location. Buyers, distributors, and media are invited to these private screenings.
One of my sayings is in Cannes is “Party with Purpose.” And the Macbach Party with Quincy Jones, Kanye West, and new singing sensation, Aloe Blacc, “I Need Dollars” was a super event to help mentors around the world.
African and Caribbean Cinema Industries were well represented. Marc Nekaitar, head of Agora along with the Hollywood Reporter had a wonderful reception and award presentation honoring international star Eriq Ebouney, (recipient of the LaHItz@Cannes Sojourner Truth Award) and South African Film Commissioner, Eddie Mbato, President of the South African National Video Foundation (also a recipient of the Sojourner Truth Award(African Diaspora Unity). Other international stars included Jean Pier Bekolo, Jean Roke Patoudem. Reuben Cannon’s (Tyler Perry’s Executive Producer) protégé Patrick Cunningham was in the African Diaspora mix at Cannes. Cunningham, a producer for the non-afro-centric film “Martha Marcy May Marlene” received accolades for his film being in Cannes' Un Certain Regard category.
The Caribbean Film Commissioners from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago headed by Tony CoCo-Viloin ( Guadeloupefilm@cr-Guadeloupe.fr) and Jean Michel Gibert (www.calypsorosediva.com) all met for a round table discussion about the future of the Caribbean Film Industry. One of the many things talked about were the co-productions with other countries and better distribution of Caribbean films to other parts of the world. The Caribbean contingent hosted two parties, one featuring internationally renowned Tobagonian singer “Calypso Rose” and a humdinger of a rum punch.
Playboy again did their party at Richard Nilisson’s Villa Oxygene in the French Riviera hills, complete with champagne, pool and bunnies. Some of the money raised is going to the Playboy Foundation.
This year the main attraction winners were: Palm d’Or- “The Tree of Life” directed by Terrence Malick; Grand Prix (tie)- “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” directed by Bir Zamalar Anadolu’ da -Nuri Bilge Ceylan; Le Gamin au Vélo (The Kid With a Bike) directed by Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne; Jury Prize- “Polisse” directed by Maïwenn; Best Director, Nicolas Winding Refn for “Drive;” Best Screenplay, Joseph Cedar for “Hearat Shulayin (Footnote); Best Actress, Kirsten Dunst, in Melancholia” directed by Lars Von Trier; and Best Actor, Jean Dujardin in “The Artist” directed by Michel Hazanavicius.
As a sidebar to film festivals, LaHitz Media followed up the Cannes International Film Festival working with the San Francisco International Film Festival (Co-directors Kali Ray & Katerra Crossley) being an integral part of adding several films to the World Premiere of acclaimed local filmmaker Kevin Epp’s “Straight Outta Hunter’s Point 2.” With less than four weeks turnaround LaHitz helped to garner the work of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Mario Van Peebles-“Things Fall Apart;” “Black, White, and Blues” directed by Mario Van Peebles; Trevor D. Rhone’s “One Love” directed by Rick Elgood and Don Letts; Actor and producer Shabaka Henley’s (“Collateral,” “Crash,” “Miami Vice,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”) “90404 Changing” produced with his wife Paulina Sahagun and directed by Michael W. Barnard; and LaHitz’s Jacquie Taliaferro’s own submission “10-10 Gotta Win.”
Here’s a list of links that give a glimpse of some of the African Diaspora films making the rounds: www.Festivaldufilmpanafricain.org; www.PAFF.org;www.africanfilm.com;www.ABFF.com;www.OIFF.org;www.SFBFF.org;www.nyadiff.org;www.bronzelensfilmfestival.com; www.langstonblackfilmfest.org;and www.urbanworld.com.
LaHitz@Cannes 2011
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