Cannes Film Festival...Brad Pitt film wins Palme D'Or! Kirsten Dunst Best Actress!

 


 




In spite of the fact filmgoers booed the latest Brad Pitt flick ("The Tree of Life") at at screening at the Cannes Film Festival last week - the prestigious Festival honored the period drama - with the coveted Palm D'Or.

Although Mr. Pitt attended the exotic seaside celebration in Southern France, the elusive star was not in attendance when the heady news was announced Sunday afternoon.

The forty-something heartthrob jetted over off to Hollywood over the weekend to attend Angelina Jolie's Kung Fu Panda 2 premiere.

"Tree of Life" was directed by Terrence Malick - and also stars another Hollywood heavyweight - Sean Penn.

Kirsten Durst was a big winner, too, when she was named Best Actress.

Robert De Niro headed up the Cannes Film Festival selection jury this year, which also included two other high-profile stars - Uma Thurman and Jude Law - on the celebrated panel.

The Festival was not without controversy this year.

Director Lars von Trier was barred from Cannes Film Festival events on the heels of uttering of Nazi and Hitler comments which didn't sit well with guests of the annual event.

At another press conference for a documentary on the BP Oil crisis, Peter Fonda fessed up to media hounds present, that he fired off an e-mail to President Barack Obama this past week, in which he labelled the President a "fu**ing traitor".

WINNER"S LIST
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2011

Palme d’Or

“The Tree of Life”
 by Terrence Malick

Grand Prix
 Tie
“The Kid with a Bike” by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne
“Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” by Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Prix de la Mise en Scene
Best Director
Nicolas Winding Refn for “Drive”

Prix du Scenario
Best Screenplay
Joseph Cedar for “Hearat Shulayim”

Camera d’Or
Best First Feature
“Las Acacias” by Pablo Gorgelli

Prix du Jury
 Jury Prize
“Polisse” by Maiwenn

Prix d’interpretation feminine
Best Actress
Kirsten Dunst for “Melancholia”

Prix d’interpretation masculine
Best Actor
Jean Dujarin
“The Artist”

Palme d’Or
Short film
“Cross Country”
Directed by Marina Viroda

http://www.thetattler.biz

Bernardo Bertolucci...receives honorary Palme d'or @ Cannes Film Festival!

 



Officials at the Cannes Film Festival have just announced that respected Italian film director - Bernardo Bertolucci - will be presented with an Honorary Palme d'or at the opening ceremonies on May 11th on the picturesque French Riviera in the south of France.

A handful of notable directors have received the coveted award in the past - Woody Allen (2002) and Clint Eastwood (2009) - for example.

The President of the prestigious Festival - Gilles Jacob - will head up the much-ballyhooed celebrations on behalf of the discerning Board of Directors.

The filmmaker has distinguished himself as a great auteur with a remarkable body of work - that includes masterpieces such as the Conformist (1970), the Last Tango in Paris (1978) and The Last Emperor (1982).

Bertolucci has been lauded over the course of his enviable film career - not only for his particular focus on political and social issues - but, also - for his unrelenting bold-faced efforts to elevate the realm of celluloid - and its artistry - to the heights of profound thought-provoking imagery and unique poetic lyricism.

"The quality of his work which appears today in all its uniqueness, and the extent of this work we perceive every day more vividly, the strength of his commitment to cinema, and the ties that bind him to Cannes, make Bernaldo Bertollucci the first legitimate recipient." Jacob was quick to gush to the media at a press conference.

The Honorary Palme d'or will be presented on May 11th, at the "Opening Night" of the 64th edition of the Festival.

Robert De Niro, who chaired the Jury, is expected to be present for the auspicious occasion.

The Palme d’Or is usually awarded to one of the filmmakers in competition.

But, the honorary Palme d’Or has also been bestowed upon important filmmakers, when their work has been deemed "authoritative”  - and the director - has failed to wrangle the prize during the fierce annual competition.

Bertolucci was born in the Italian city of Parma.

The visionary director was the elder son of Ninetta (a teacher) and Attilio Bertolucci (who was a poet, a reputed art historian, anthologist and film critic).

Bertolucci's childhood influences appeared to spell his fate from the get-go!

He began writing at the age of fifteen, and early on, won several prestigious literary prizes including the Premio Viareggio for his first book.

Bertolucci's films tend to put a searing spotlight on themes related to sex, politics and cinephilia.

I recall attending the premiere of the "Last Tango in Paris" in Vancouver (Canada) and being thoroughly shocked by the subject matter.

The voyeuristic flick approached the issue of sexuality in an extremely carnal and disturbing way.

Too erotic (perverted?) for mainstream North American audiences?

Needles to say, there was quite an uproar when the controversial feature was first released in Canada, and outraged filmgoers have never looked at butter the same way ever since!

"The Conformist" dealt with fascist Italy and was seen as both artistic and intellectual in nature.

"The Dreamers" (released a scant few years ago) was one Bertolucci favorite of mine that underscored to me the auteur was still capable of seducing an audience with themes that resonated with truth and conviction while ruffling their sensibilities to the core.

The tony Cannes Film festival  - which usually features a must-see roster of leading-edge films - is attended by noteworthy film critics from around the globe - and likewise - attracts a jet set elite in the realm of film who are drawn to the exotic fest like moth to flame each year

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz





Directing smooth as Butter!

France...offers tax incentives to Hollywood filmmakers! Cultural Minister Frédéric Mitterrand pitches exotic locales!

Exotic locales on Riviera a lure!



French Culture Minister  Frédéric Mitterrand swallowed a little pride and trotted in to Hollywood to meet with industry execs in recent days in a ballsy effort to boost the ailing film business overseas.

In order to achieve that ambitious goal, Mitterrand (who is the nephew of the former French Prime Minister François Mitterrand ) was inclined to converse in a language that spoke volumes in the corridors of power in Tinsel Town.

After all - when it comes to cost-cutting, tax breaks, and inviting financial perks - the suits at the major studios are inclined to be all ears - and likewise - open-minded when it comes to keeping budgets in line.

Consequently, the well-heeled European “took lunch” with movers-and-shakers like Bob Iger (Walt Disney Company) and Barry Meyer (Warner Brothers) to enlighten filmmakers about the advantages of shooting their multi-million-dollar projects in exotic breathtaking locales in France.

For starters, the French Government has introduced fresh incentives which guarantee foreign movie-makers a 20% tax rebate toward film production costs (with a maximum of $5.6 million per project or 4 million Euros).

There are a couple of hitches, though.

Most non-sports and news programming on French Television Networks must be French-based or European in origin in accordance with applicable laws.

But, any wheeler-dealer in a shark-skin suit should be able to jump the hurdles, when it comes to tricky film shoots.

For example, to qualify for the feature film rebate, scriptwriters are required to promote France by showcasing its rich cultural heritage in the storyline.

To accomplish this end, French officials launched a program to provide grants to screenwriters so they may tour France for free - and thus - familiarize themselves with the country’s historical background with the express aim of meeting the criteria.

More than a dozen filmmakers from the U.S. have taken advantage of the tax incentives to date, and it is expected that with a turn-around in the economy on the horizon, business overseas may start booming in the French film industry.

Meanwhile, a posse of producers in California are fighting – too – to prevent run-away production, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that Hollywood remains the film capitol of the world!

Fists across the water?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

French filmmakers renowned the world-over!





Cannes Film Festival...snobs turn up noses at bloggers! French merde!

Gauche promotion that is true Cannes!

Pregnant pauses!

In spite of a downturn in the economy in recent months, a handful of bloggers have been stashing away cash in order to rustle up airfare and Hotel accommodation, with the aim of attending the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May (2009).

If this excited wave of Internet Journalists expect to trot the red carpet, interview celebs amid the glitz and glamour of the Internet Jet Set - or even rub shoulders with the tony elite in Southern France - they may be disappointed when they arrive at the pearly gates!

Undoubtedly, the party crashers will be waved away by a snooty Official attired a lot like a stuffy maitre d' at a 3 Star restaurant.

Yes, a few Bloggers and Internet Journalists have grumbled about the fact Festival Officials gave them the-run-around when they applied for press credentials for the much-ballyhooed event.

"How many unique impressions does your site get a month?" one staffer sniffed.

In addition, the status of the publication writers were in the employ of, was of utmost importance to the phony-baloney snots.

"Please provide the site address for the head office of your publication on the Internet."

If the applicant's site was listed under the auspices of a web site such as technorati, blogspot, or - God forbid - wordpress, they were given the old heave-ho post haste.

"There is such a demand for the passes that we can only grant them to a select few."

Of course, reporters from the New York Times, a major Television Network, or journalists penning copy for a U.S. publication with subscriptions tallies that stagger the imagination, are given carte blanche!

It all boils down to numbers, maximum coverage, and a big bucks audience.

Normally, just prior to the big launch in Cannes each dazzling new season, bloggers and Internet journalists alike are inclined to publish a raft of gushing press clips, with a big thrust on celebs that plan to bask in the glow of the spotlight, award-winning films to grace the French Cinema screens, in tandem with a ton of delicious titillating gossip about the party circuit, fashion scene, who's screwing who, and that sort-of-thing.

Yes, Internet writers are a force to contend with on these shores and on those abroad, no question.

What if the blogosphere militia left the Cannes Film Festival out in the cold this year, if only to make the point?

Would the frogs do a sudden about-face and invite bloggers to their murky little lily pond next year?

I, for one, am not going to pen any post on the Cannes Film Festival hereinafter, nor do I intend to promote their overrated festival (which ranks a big zero in my eyes, all things considered, on the heels of the aforementioned fiasco).

Frankly, I've had enough of "Boutique" films rife with painstakingly long pauses, sketchy subtitles that beg interpretation, and gobs of butter masquerading as "Art" to intentionally fu** the filmgoer up the a**.

In the alternative, I plan to rent a DVD or two, hop into bed with a bevy of fluffy pillows courtesy of Martha Stewart, and wash down a plateful of scrumptious freedom fries with a goblet or two of vintage wine from the Napa Valley.

Paris (Nevada) even looks more inviting these days!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Cannes Film Festival...$30,000 per table; mingle with Prince Albert!

Yesterday, I received a notice that Blue Group has two tables available for a prestigious Film Festival event next week on the Riviera, in France.

A handful of the well-heeled tony elite will join Prince Albert and his VIP guests for a unique evening at the exclusive Greenhouse in Cannes, Thursday May 15th.

The private dinner for VIP's is being tossed in aid of the celebrated "Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation".

Expected attendees at the gala dinner include: President Sarkozy, Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie, Bono, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Shania Twain, Paz Vega, Quentin Tarantino, Emile Hirsch, Steven Spielberg, Edward Norton, and others.

The price tag for one table at the exclusive upscale event?

$30,000.00. (U.S. funds)

Each table seats ten people (with ample leg room, I expect); so - if you're short on cash - get your buddies to divvy up!

The prestigious A-list spot in the inner circle includes six bottles of premium liquor to quench the most discerning thirst.
(Vodka & Champagne).

Soda & Juice? Extra, I guess!

Since you'll get to mingle with the celebrated elite, why not splurge?

Well, it is inclined to be "the" ultimate soiree to schmooze at.

But, exhibit some class - please!

Leave the 8 X 10 glossy publicity stills at home and forgo on the tendency to scramble for autographs for the kids as you circulate the high-profile room.

Blue Group is an innovative exclusive high-end provider of creative VIP showbiz entertainment events in the UK and US.

Whether it's a trip to the International Space Station, a flight in the cockpit of a 5G fighter jet, or a power boat racing at over 100 miles an hour you're pining for - Blue Bespoke can design and deliver an experience of a lifetime for you and your pampered clients.

According to Bespoke spokesperson, "Life is short".

So, live it to the hilt. No regrets!

Their tag line is: ask us for help and open Pandora's Box!

The professional party people are capable of deftly pulling off the event without a hitch, too. After all, their roster is rife with an extensive list of iconic individuals, celebrity entertainers, and musical ensembles sure to enhance and complement any event or client experience.

Whether it is a swanky summer party overlooking the Thames, a Xmas party with celebrity entertainment to wow your clients - or, quite simply - an "After-dinner" speaker or a Blue Bespoke branded "An Evening With" experience...it can be designed to suit your specific needs.

Bottom line - a top-notch footballer, charismatic politician, or concert soloist are within arm's length and - and ready to be at your beck and call.

Intrigued?

Info: http://www.blueusvip.com




Ritzy Riviera beckons...