With this many filmmakers, photographers and journalists in one place, interesting moments are bound to happen and be reported on. Here’s Murtada with a few after the jump...
Captain Fantastic carried its Sundance buzz to Cannes and was warmly received. Viggo Mortensen and the group of young actors who play his children made their moment indelible by casually flipping the bird at both the photo call and the premiere. We assume that’s a callback to something in the movie. Whatever it is, they seem to be having fun while giving us a cheeky photo op.
Kleber Mendonça Filho, the Brazilian director of Aquarius, and his crew meanwhile chose to protest the political situation in their country when facing the photographers. The team held signs decrying the recent impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff while standing at the top of the iconic red steps. Reportedly the audience inside the theater erupted in support, and some even unfurled their own banners and signs. It's heartening to see political protest still alive and well. The film itself was very well received and earned its star, Sonia Braga, best actress buzz.
Much has been made last year about the festival’s policy requiring women to wear heels to premieres. So it’s refreshing to see a new star doing exactly as she pleases when meeting the international press. Sasha Lane, the star of Andrea Arnold's American Honey, appeared shoe-less at the film’s photo call*. This is Lane's first film. She was discovered by Arnold and her casting director during spring break in Florida last year. And now a year later she's making waves at Cannes.
American Honey has divided critics, but those who loved it, really loved it. Lane emerged a definitive winner though. Even the presence of bonafide star Shia LaBeouf, reportedly giving a fantastic performance himself, did not steal her thunder. Critics are in love with Lane, calling her “riveting”and “stunning”. She has already booked her next film, a day after Honey premiered.
What is your favorite photo from this year's festival?
* P.S. She wasn't the only one. Julia Roberts famously removed her heels on the classic Cannes steps early in the festival.
