Yes, I'm a bit tardy with my first report back from Cannes but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to talk about. I'll be posting artwork for some new projects shortly - which means you will soon be seeing them above this post if you don't already - so I'll just talk about other things for now.
First of all the effects of the economy on the market are very, very obvious. Sales agents love to talk about the market being slow - it's a favored pastime - but this year it's definitely true. Market screenings are well attended but budget cut backs at most companies mean sending fewer representatives so when a hot film is screening that means there's nobody extra to send to meetings in the market and compared to normal levels it's positively empty in there as often as not.
But who cares a bout business, what's here to see? Of the features I've checked out Gaumont's mountain top survival-horror High Lane gets a firm thumbs up as does Norwegian comedy (well, sort of comedy, it's hard to classify) Fatso, repped here by TF1. The opening of Miki Satoshi's Instant Numa was also very strong but obligations elsewhere forced me to leave about twenty minutes in so I can't comment on how it continues from there.
On the promo front, there is apparently a new half hour promo from Hong Kong CG extravaganze Storm Warriors which people are speaking highly of and which I hope to track down a screening of that I can actually attend. Of new promos that I did see, Neil Marshall's Centurion was the clear winner. The footage is still fairly raw, and the promo is brief, but the scope is magnificent and the acting and action look very, very solid for what I'm hearing described as Marshall's 'Roman Western'. Very high hopes for this.
Centurion -- I must see this NOW!
I've been eagerly following Centurion for a while now. Can't wait for the trailer...
Yeah, word of mouth on Storm Warriors is strong.
what movie is the girl in the picure from? nice face paint.
That's Olga Kurylenko in Neil Marshall's Centurion.
so, theres a screening Todd of the new promo for storm warriors on May 17th at 9:15 AM at Lerins 2. I wonder who all can get in?