A festival that started off slow but gained in momentum and drama drew to a close tonight with “The Tree of Life”, Terrence Malick’s stunning meditation on memory and childhood, winning the coveted Palme d’Or.
The end of the festival brought two revelations: a haunting Turkish police procedural and a glorious French musical screened out of competition. But if I could pick the prize-winners, here's who would be bringing home the glory.
The press barely had time to digest Pedro Almodovar's so-so "The Skin I Live In" before news hit that Lars Von Trier had been asked to leave the festival following his comments about Jews at a press conference. Some critics have defended him.
Cannes organisers have released a statement saying that Lars Von Trier, who set off a storm yesterday with his statements on Hitler and Jews at the press conference for his film “Melancholia”, is no longer welcome at the festival.
Wednesday was a drama-filled day, with Lars Von Trier's "Melancholia" overshadowed by the director's comments to the press, and "The Conquest" adding to a turbulent week in French politics.
A controversy has been brewing around “18 Days”, a series of short films by Egyptian directors – some of whom had ties to former President Hosni Mubarak. We spoke to one of the stars of the film, Amr Waked, who is boycotting its Cannes screening.
An underwhelming competition picked up major steam with the festival's most hotly anticipated film, Terrence Malick's bold, beautiful "The Tree of Life" -- cue obnoxious booing at this morning's press screening.
With grim movies galore, it can be easy to forget that there's a fun, glamorous side to Cannes -- which is why we caught up for a quick interview with one of the most seasoned photographers on the red carpet.
The splashy parties are in full swing, as my colleague discovered this weekend. Meanwhile, "Footnote", a terrific Israeli black comedy screened in competition, has created a passionate Anglo-French divide.
With little sleep, long lines for press screenings, and too many greasy meals on the run, journalists are already complaining of Cannes fatigue. But the first French film in competition, Maiwenn's "Polisse", was loud enough to wake anyone up.