CANNES 2011

Cannes 2011: Alex's First Video Blog & Updates from the Film Fest!

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May 12, 2011

2011 Cannes Film Festival

This is the year, the year I think I've been waiting for, the vintage year at the Cannes Film Festival that I knew was one day coming. We've only just finished Day 2 (it's currently Friday morning here in France) and I've only seen four films so far, but everything has been absolutely parfait so far. For those who don't speak French, that means "perfect". My travel here, the films I've seen, the experience so far, even the apartment we rented to stay in (with Eric from IONCinema) has been better than ever before. And I'm hoping it'll only get even better as the fest continues. How are the films I've seen? All but one of them I thoroughly enjoyed.

I love Cannes. It grows on me every year. Last year was rough, to be frank, the line-up was pretty bad, but this year is making up for it. We've still got many of the highly anticipated films like The Tree of Life, Melancholia, The Skin I Live In and Drive that have yet to screen, but it's been an incredible start to the fest. I had a feeling this would be a great year and it's certainly living up to those expectations so far. I think I'm just getting more and more comfortable with Cannes, I know my way around the city and all the theaters, I know how to get into all the films, and I have the coveted pink badge which is the exactly the kind of access that has allowed this to become everything I've always wanted it to be. Its inching closer and closer to being equal with Sundance as my favorite festival experience every year. I'm so happy to be here in 2011!

As the fest continues on, I'll do my best to bring you more video blog updates beyond all the reviews. I may even get some of my friends and fellow critics to hop on and talk about the films they've enjoyed, so be on the lookout for those over the next few weeks. Cannes lasts until May 22nd and I'll be here most of the way through the fest. We haven't even hit the first weekend yet, so we've got a long way to go! I hope everything else I'm seeing continues to impress me as much as the three films I've already seen and loved. Now it's time to grab a baguette and maybe some coffee and head out to a screening! I'm not even sure what it may be yet.

Watch my first video blog from Cannes below. I wanted to record something quick, so it's fairly short.

Hope you guys enjoyed that! Below is the list of films I've seen at this year's Cannes that I will be updating consistently throughout the fest within each new blog post (links go to reviews). Here are the latest updates:

Cannes Film Festival 2011:
1. Midnight in Paris (dir. Woody Allen) - Loved It
2. Sleeping Beauty (dir. Julia Leigh) - Hated It
3. Restless (dir. Gus Van Sant) - Loved It
4. We Need to Talk About Kevin (dir. Lynne Ramsay) - Loved It

Find more posts: Cannes 11, Feat, Video Blog

6 Comments

1

 Just find it kind of ironic that you're at an international film festival and have only seen English language films so far. But I guess it's just the beginning. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on everything Cannes. 

samir on May 13, 2011

2

 Yea, that's how the films were programmed in the schedule. Woody Allen's film is shot/takes place in Paris and stars numerous French actresses, Sleeping Beauty is from Australia, Restless is from the US, and We Need to Talk About Kevin is a British film. Just because they're in English doesn't mean they're not international films.

Alex Billington on May 13, 2011

3

But as samir stated - still only english speaking. But whatever.  You gonne catch the swedish movie PLAY? I think that one will be interesting!  ( you could ofc say that Melancholia is half-swedish, it was shot in my hometown Trollhättan and I know several people who worked on it 🙂 )Melancholia is half-swedish, it was shot in my hometown Trollhättan and I know several people who worked on it 🙂 )

Ryderup on May 13, 2011

4

Are you going to interview any of the directors in one of the live blogs? 

ZirahB on May 14, 2011

5

 No, I don't have any interviews scheduled with any directors unfortunately. They don't like giving US any interviews in Cannes, it's mostly international/European press who gets them. :/

Alex Billington on May 14, 2011

6

You The MAN Alex B.!!!

DAVIDPD on May 16, 2011

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