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!

Robert De Niro...Cannes Film Festival names actor President of Jury panel!

Robert De Niro is brimming with a grin from ear-to-ear for good reason!

Organizers for the tony 64th Annual "Cannes Film Festival" - which launches in May on the exotic French Riviera - have invited the respected thespian to head up the Jury Panel for a third time.

De Niro - starring in the comedy - "The Little Flockers" (currently in wide release around the country) last took on the coveted duties twice in the heady 80's.

Film buffs may recall that De Niro's break-out thriller - Taxi Driver - won the Palme d'or in 1976.

Break a leg, Bobby!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Lindsay Lohan...eludes paparazz! Showdown with crusty Judge tomorrow

Call it the case of the stolen "papers".

Or, the cautionary tale about a girl interrupted.

Either way, the shoe will drop tomorrow for troubled film star Lindsay Lohan.

For good reason.
,
Just shy of meeting her commitment to participate in a dozen-or-so court-ordered DUI classes, Lohan got a little skittish and hopped on a jet to France.

Within hours of touching down on foreign soil, the scandal-ridden beauty was thrust into the eye of a media storm, as a titillated world gazed on.

Would the sometimes-ditzy Lindsay (prone to fall down and go boom) be seduced by the high life - and fall off the wagon as a result - or come to her senses and fly back home to meet her legal and moral obligation to the court.

Unfortunately for the strong-willed babe (with the monkey-on-her-back) fate intervened.

The "Mean Girls" star found herself in quite a dilemma when her passport was allegedly stolen.

Lohan accused her father of the dastardly deed.

"He'd do something like this because he wants me in rehab," she accused in so many words.

Meanwhile - at the Beverly Hills Courthouse - the Judge presiding over the proceedings fumed.

"If Ms. Lohan was serious about resolving the issues - she would have applied for a temporary passport - and would have been here," the Judge huffed.

Consequently, the court issued a bench warrant for Lohan's arrest,

A short while later, the Judge rescinded the warrant, when Lohan's lawyers posted a $10,000 bond.

On the heels of that proceeding, a hearing was set for Monday (May 24th) to determine if Ms. Lohan violated the terms and conditions of her probation.

Tomorrow is bound to be a media circus down at the courthouse.

Get there early for curb-side seats up front!

 

http://www.thetattler.biz

Lindsay Lohan...bench warrant issued! $100,000 bail, body search, & more...

 

Just minutes ago, a Judge presiding over the Lindsay Lohan DUI case, lowered the boom!

The troubled star was slated to appear at a mandatory court hearing this morning to discuss the progress of her case, but failed to appear.

According to her attorney, Lohan - who jetted off to the exotic Cannes Film Festival on the weekend - lost her passport and was prevented from returning home to attend the hearing today.

The Judge, not unlike many of us - who tune in to watch the nightly news each evening - no doubt caught sight of Ms. Lohan dancing up a storm in chic Cannes Nightclubs appearing for all-the-world to be thumbing her nose at the court.

Despite assurances from her attorney that Ms. Lohan would appear in court tomorrow, the Judge issued a bench warrant for the actress's arrest.

In addition to being cuffed by officers, Ms. Lohan will be subjected to a body search, and forced to wear an electroic monitoring device.

Will the men-in-blue be waiting for Ms. Lohan at the airport?

If so, the kids at TMZ will probably catch the whole delicious scoop on video.

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Lindsay Lohan...tempts ire of Judge! Linda Lovelace role within grasp...

With four days to complete 4 courses for a court-ordered DUI program, industry heavyweights were perplexed to hear that the troubled film star jetted off to the Cannes Film Festival to bask in the glare of the spotlight (if only for an hour or two).

"She's cutting it short," one legal eagle opined to a night-time tabloid gossip show.

Apparently, the Judge presiding over Linday's DUI case, isn't expected to be lenient if the terms and conditions of her court order  aren't met by Thursday, May 20th (2010).

The female bench-warmer is a hanging judge, after all.

Some speculate that with her career in the dumper - and the opportunity to inhabit the juicy role of  porn star Linda Lovelace in the offing - it is of the utmost importance for the actress to teeter down the red carpet arm-in-arm with the powerful elite in a last gasp effort  to salvage her sagging career (among other things).

In an on-the-fly interview with a reporter in a taxi bound for the airport, Ms. Lohan - though husky-voiced - was coherent and optimistic about her future.

"The DUI classes are going well," she insisted in spite of allegations to the contrary.

But, to be fair, let's give Lindsay some credit where it is due.

Court hearings - and the mind-numbing  pressure they exert on an individual pending their resolution - are enough to drive a soul to booze it up or pop pills alone.

By Thursday afternoon, Lindsay will undoubtedly be clued in as to whether the pressure cooker she's in will simmer down or explode in her face for failing to tend the broth more diligently.

Linda Lovelace
Producer Tip

A suite I once rented in a quaint spanish-style apartment house in WeHo @ 1236 1/2 North Harper (known for its architectural excellence) has a claim to fame - namely - that Linda Lovelace once resided there.
Other apartments in the same building were also rented over the years by such notables as James Dean and Katherine Hepburn.
Go figure.
Mine would have to be the one rented by a porn star, eh?

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Russell Crowe...honored with prestigious star on Walk of Fame! Robin Hood release on way...

Actor Russell Crowe was in Hollywood to celebrate the installation of his shiny star on the infamous Walk of Fame.

For the Oscar winner the nod was a well-deserved one but one that required a bit of thought.

Last night on the tonight show, for example, Crowe confessed that although the placement of the prestigious nameplate was not a piece of cake, it all worked out for the best.

When the head honchos asked the handsome leading man if he had any preferences as to location, he was humble.

“How about down the street in front of the drug store?”

No, they shrugged, not possible.

A second spot didn’t pan out either.

Third time, Crowe got lucky.

“There’s a spot right in front of the Kodak Theatre.”

Yes, the star - appearing in the upcoming feature Robin Hood - landed a prime piece of real estate in the midst of Hollywood’s most celebrated folk lore just a-hop-and-a-skip away from Mann’s Chinese Theatre (where stars once imbedded their foot and handprints in cement).

Crowe has a great sense of humor and is a down-to-earth regular guy.

The charismatic actor is a man’s man, too.

On Jay’s show, he laughed that he lost a part in a major film because he revealed his common side, and allowed his emotions rule the day.

Apparently, he’d met a leading actress in a local watering hole on Hollywood Boulevard, to discuss a potential role opposite the star.

Once the quiet rendezvous was over - and shortly after the twosome strolled out the door into the bright sunlight - Russell spied Elvis’s star on the strip.

Without thinking, in a rush of emotion, Crowe was inclined to get down on his knees and kiss the King’s star with full juicy lips.

The actress - who obviously didn’t think her sh** stank, said “later Dude”.

In her eyes, he was a low-class ruffian she’d prefer not to have any associations with.

Guess she’s kicking herself, now!

I haven’t screened Robin Hood yet, but apparently the filmmakers have taken artistic license - and thus - have chosen to portray an aspect of the folk hero never captured on the silver screen before.

Why were Robin Hood’s gang of friends called the Merry Men?

In this version, Crowe’s script-writing team conjure up a logical answer, to the question.

Undoubtedly, once the high-budget feature is released, it will roar to box office heaven.

As I reported in an earlier post, Crowe is slated to attend a premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May.

See ‘ya there!
 

http://www.thetattler.biz

Robin Hood...Russell Crowe to appear @ Cannes Film Festival premiere! Cate Blanchett co-stars...

Russel Crowe will try his acting chops at playing - Robin Hood - a popular screen hero portrayed by the likes of film greats Errol Flynn and Sean Connery.

Cate Blanchett will walk in the shoes of  Crowe's fantasy love interest - Maid Marian - in a project that was helmed by Ridley Scott (American Gangster, Gladiator, Body of Lies).

The Cannes Film Festival kicks off on May 12th in the south of picturesque France.

Errol Flynn graces screen as Robin Hood

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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