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NEWS Wednesday 9 May 2018
DAY 2

NETFLIX STILL
MAKING HEADLINES
AFTER WITHDRAWAL
FROM CANNES
EARLY breaking news at the Festival that
last night’s opening film Everybody CANNES Q&A:
Knows may go to Netflix, puts a new
spin on the saga that saw the streaming
service pull out of Cannes for 2018.
The company’s withdrawal followed the VIKAS KHANNA
announcement that no films could be
entered into competition at the Festival
unless they were available for theatrical FILMMAKER AND CELEBRITY CHEF
distribution in France.
“Any film in competition should be open What is your mission in Cannes most special because of the depth
to distribution in theatres,” Festival this year? and magnitude of the movie.
Director Thierry Frémaux said at the time I think that Cannes is one of the greatest
the Netflix withdrawal was announced. platforms to showcase creativity. The Last How does the Festival serve the
And he expressed disappointment Color is my first feature film and I want Indian film and celebrity
at the decision. “We made offers for two to showcase the teaser and the first look. community?
films by Netflix this year, one out of We will also launch the book by the same I think its a massive opportunity
competition and one in,” Frémaux said. name that I wrote in 2011. We wanted to to be there among such creative
“Netflix did not wish to release [the film co-ordinate these releases together at the minds. It is inspiring to see
we wanted in competition] in theatres. 71st Cannes Festival with such a global the international standards
According to the rule, this film will not be audience. and break traditionsl rules.
in competition. Films must be open to the
possibility of being distributed in How many times have you been Do you have any favourite spots
cinemas. It’s too bad.” to Cannes and what is to eat in the city?
Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos, your fondest memory? Oh God. So many.
interpreted this rule as directly aimed This is my fourth year. From UTSAV to La Palme d’Or at the Hyatt. It’s my © DR
at his company. Referring to two Netflix Kitchens of Gratitude to my biography everytime favourite.
films that made a splash in Cannes in Buried Seeds by Andrei Severny — and Villa Archange. I respect Chef Bruno Favourite Cannes films/memories
2017 — Okja and The Meyerowitz Stories this year we showcase The Last Color. a lot and his southern France flavours. My favourite memory is always when
— he said: “I think they were the biggest Palme d’Or at the Martinez. you hear the icons speak about
films in the world last year with Bong You wear many hats. Which will The most convenient location the process of their creations.
Joon-ho and Noah Baumbach and the star you be wearing this Festival? and thus every meeting happens here. The best movie would always by Masaan
power we were able to bring — Jake From chef’s hat to author’s hat and this Then Cafe Roma just for watching and the standing applause after that.✦
Gyllenhaal, Tilda Swinton, it goes on year to director’s hat. This year is the the energy of the Festival. Liza Foreman
and on. We loved the Festival. We love
the experience for our filmmakers and for
film lovers. It’s just that the Festival has
about the art of cinema. And by the way, Flanders on fire in Cannes
chosen to celebrate distribution rather
than the art of cinema. We are 100%

every other Festival in the world is too.”
Sarandos followed that up with the
announcement of the company’s
withdrawal from Cannes: “I don’t think it expedition, a lost porter, and a young
would be good for us to be there,” army deserter.
he said. “[Frémaux] made it explicitly A second Quinzane title being claimed
about Netflix when he announced the by Flanders is Our Song to War by
rule.”In spite of these rumblings ahead of Juanita Onzaga. Jan Stevens, Juanita
the Festival, early rumours are that Onzaga, Sofie Despeer produced.
Netflix has shown interest in the opening The film is set in a Colombian village
film that stars A-listers Javier Bardem and where strange beliefs and ideas are
Penélope Cruz. And the company could celebrated, including the ‘Novenario’
be buying up other titles too. death ritual.
“We will have people [in Cannes] Another Day of Life is playing Out
who are in the business of acquiring of Competition. Directed by Raúl
films, because many films will be there de la Fuente and Damian Nenow,
without distribution,” Sarandos said and produced by Platige Films (Poland),
in the build-up to the event. Ce Magnifique Gateau © DR Kanaki Films (Spain), the film tells
This mini-drama comes less than a year the story of reporter Ryszard Kapu ci ski
Top Of The Lake and Twin Peaks, from 2018 challenging after 15-year-old Lara realises who, in his search for the truth behind
LOOKS set to be
after Cannes decided to introduce a TV
that her body does not bend as easily as
war, embarked on a suicidal journey
focus — with special screenings of series
a top year for
Flanders at the
Jane Campion and David Lynch, two Festival and at the Marché du Film. it might because she was born a boy. across Angola in 1975.
Nos Batailles by Guilaume Senez is
In the Quinzaine, meanwhile, is Ce
directors beloved in Cannes,. Lukas Dhont’s debut feature Girl has Magnifique Gâteau! by Emma De Swaef playing in the Semaine de la Critique.
There has been no sign of any similar TV been selected for Un Certain Regard, & Marc James Roels. This anthology film, The story follows a man left to juggle
events here this year, however — related and there are a large number of Flemish set in colonial Africa, in the late everything after his wife walks out on
or unrelated to the fact that a brand new films unspooling throughout the festival 19th-century, tells the stories of five him and his children. A large number
annual festival, Canneseries, dedicated to and market. different characters, including a troubled of films, backed by Flanders, are also
new global TV drama series, launched in Girl tells the story of a hopeful ballerina king, a middle-aged Pygmy working in a playing both at the Marché and in
this city one month ago. ✦ Julian Newby whose ambitions become more luxury hotel, a failed businessman on an the Short Film Corner, this year. ✦ LF
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