Cannes Film Festival

Cannes Festival: “full of smooth-talkers”

Sophie Team Observers — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:42:06 +0200

For 23-year-old comedian Deborah Newman, the Cannes Film Festival is a make-or-break. One way, you build a base of professional contacts, the other, you get scammed by fakes full of empty promises.

I was at the festival two years ago working. At the time I had the pass to get into the Palais des Festival. This time round I don't, and I'm left to my own devices. I've been here since Thursday and still haven't managed to get in. I haven't met anyone of importance; no scriptwriters, no directors. The world of cinema is pretty closed - you need those contacts in order to get castings. I'm really counting on the second week. You only have to meet one important person that can open doors for you and launch your career.

On the other hand, you have to be very wary, because Cannes is also full of smooth-talkers. People will take you as naïve just because you're a young woman. That's a classic scenario. They sell you a dream; castings, projects... to take advantage of you. Lots of young comedians fall into that trap. They'll ask you to get undressed for example during a casting. That's happened to a few people I know.

Personally I'm very careful, without becoming paranoid. That kind of talk is usually easy to detect. You only need to ask a few precise questions and then look up what they said on the Web. You just have to keep your head on your shoulders and not believe everything you hear.

I know I'm not going to land the role of my life at the end of these ten days. It's just a good way to build up my address book. Afterwards, come what may..."

Cannes Film Festival: the hunt for a producer is on

Julien — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:39:38 +0200

Film stars and dazzled onlookers are not the only people crowding Cannes at festival times. The Croisette is also home to several young directors, like Cédrick Spinassou, on the lookout for a producer.

Last year, we followed Cédrick as he presented a short film at the Cannes Festival. This time, he’s back on the Croisette with a full-length feature film.

Maradona in Cannes: "more than a star - a god"

Sophie Team Observers — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:43:43 +0200

Photo: Street Art from Argentina

One of our Observers at Cannes got a place at the viewing of the documentary on football star Maradona, by Palme d'Or winner Emir Kusturica, screened on Wednesday 21. A quick juggle with the ball and a 20-minute-long standing ovation before the start of the film; the "god" hasn't lost his touch...

The Cannes caste system

Sophie Team Observers — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:33:42 +0200

Photo: "elsapresse" on Flickr

Our Observers at the Cannes Film Festival - a young director in search of contacts and a cinema enthusiast on a film-binge - tell us about their experiences. First observation: you don't get very far if you're not part of the posse.

Far from the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival

Sophie Team Observers — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:03:59 +0200

The beach at Cannes yesterday. Photo: "G-Rome" on Flickr

From our Observers on the scene, we're following the international film festival in Cannes. Not the stars, but young actors, directors and film addicts who are taking part in the prestigious event for the first time. Here, a young filmmaker who has come to promote his short film and a student who spends all day attending projections and all night in quest of a party invite.