And so it comes round once again. The place everyone in the film world wants to be but most of them seem to hate on some level. The Cannes Film Festival. I have yet to become jaded by its unique personality. Although I can see why lots have. It is a place where people bank everything on selling the film they spent years getting off the ground, the place where people have to kiss arse to find money to start a production (been there). The place where opulence and glamour are in plain sight but behind gates or separated by a large body of water. And large patrolling dogs make sure swimming out to these floating palaces is not an option. But I love it. It's warm. The food is good (and surprisingly good value). There are lots of free drinks and weird and wonderful people. And everyone wants to talk about films. What's not to love? Sure there are a load of blaggers, fakers, wankers and sleazes. But if you can't take those types then get out of the film industry. There is something for everyone in Cannes. If you want to stay away from the money grabbers and pretentious ladder climbers then go and hang out in the short film corner. No one there has money and most still have ideals and optimism.
This year I'm stepping up a bit into the world of feature film wankery. My first feature 'Heckle' is being screened there. Fortunately I just wrote it and don't have the responsibility of selling it. Although I will do my best to get some interesting types to watch it. Will I be able to maintain my integrity or will I sell my soul to the first money man who waves a wad in my face? We will see. I suspect the former but you never know. Depends how much I've drank I suppose.
Aside from Heckle I also have a couple of short films in the SFC. I'm looking forward to seeing how they are received.
But my favourite thing about Cannes is showing around the people who have never been before. Aside from the festival itself it's always nice to show off a few of the sights and little hidden away places I've discovered over the years. The church at the top of the hill behind the palais. The beach at Villefranche. The Absinthe bar in Antibes. The waterfall in Nice. It seems harder to do this these days as everyone wants to hammer the festival as hard as they can. But I suspect they'd enjoy it more and not come out the other side broken if they took a day off to appreciate where they were.
Anyway see you there.
This year I'm stepping up a bit into the world of feature film wankery. My first feature 'Heckle' is being screened there. Fortunately I just wrote it and don't have the responsibility of selling it. Although I will do my best to get some interesting types to watch it. Will I be able to maintain my integrity or will I sell my soul to the first money man who waves a wad in my face? We will see. I suspect the former but you never know. Depends how much I've drank I suppose.
Aside from Heckle I also have a couple of short films in the SFC. I'm looking forward to seeing how they are received.
But my favourite thing about Cannes is showing around the people who have never been before. Aside from the festival itself it's always nice to show off a few of the sights and little hidden away places I've discovered over the years. The church at the top of the hill behind the palais. The beach at Villefranche. The Absinthe bar in Antibes. The waterfall in Nice. It seems harder to do this these days as everyone wants to hammer the festival as hard as they can. But I suspect they'd enjoy it more and not come out the other side broken if they took a day off to appreciate where they were.
Anyway see you there.
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