While the opening ceremony of Cannes was dominated by the “thoroughly awful” film “Grace of Monaco” and the increasingly strange-looking plastic-enhanced face of its star Nicole Kidman, the second day seemed an altogether more low-key affair.
Cannes perennial favourite and Mike Leigh was back at the festival with the crew of his latest film “Mr Turner” – one of the 18 films in competition at this year’s festival. He certainly looked very happy to be back amidst those who appreciate directors that constantly strive to improve and push the boundaries of excellence and originality in the art of cinema. Leigh wasn’t in Cannes last year but instead attended the Fastnet Short Film Festival in Schull, West Cork, which is on around the same time.
The evening premier of Mr Turner – a film about the last 25 years of the great British painter JMW Turner’s life – was a glitzy affair, attracting a solid turnout from the ranks of the glamorous for one of the key films in competition this year.
It was also announced yesterday that The Festival de Cannes has decided to dedicate a special screening on Saturday May 17th as a tribute to animated films, by being the venue for the first images of Kahlil Ghibran’s “The Prophet”. This animated film is produced by Mexican actress Salma Hayek who will be attending to host the evening.
The film directors, Roger Allers, Gaëtan and Paul Brizzi, Joan C. Gratz, Mohammed Saeed Harib, Tomm Moore, Nina Paley, Bill Plympton, Joann Sfar and Michal Socha – all of whom are big stars in the world of animation – will explain their participation in the film by showing extracts and poems which illustrate the film.
The screening will be held in the presence of many guests, including Salma Hayek, who also plays one of the voices in the film, and Julie Gayet who will read extracts from Kahlil Ghibran’s text.
The tribute to animated films will be held at 7 pm, in the Soixantième Theatre.