FRANCE 24 film critic Jon Frosch left New York in 2002 for Paris, the best movie-going city in the world. His work has appeared in The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, the Boston Globe, The Atlantic, The Village Voice, LA Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and other publications, and he has served on critics’ juries at the Venice Film Festival and Montreal Film Festival. In this Cannes blog, Jon brings you the latest on the movies, people, controversies, and gossip at the year's biggest international cinema event. You can contact Jon directly via email: jfrosch@france24.com.
 
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Tue, 05/17/2011 - 18:49

Egyptian star Amr Waked on why he’s boycotting the screening of his own film

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.
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Mon, 05/16/2011 - 19:40

Competition picks up steam with Malick’s beautiful, booed ‘Tree of Life’

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.
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Sun, 05/15/2011 - 22:34

Red carpet memories between grim movies

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.
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Sat, 05/14/2011 - 23:59

Vicarious partying and the mystery of a love-it-or-hate-it Israeli film

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.
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Sat, 05/14/2011 - 00:57

Long lines, lack of vitamins, and a loud French film

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.
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Fri, 05/13/2011 - 13:37

A rising star on 'the problems' of being a black actor in France

Far from the red carpet, there are the lesser-known actors who come to Cannes to hustle up contacts and self-promote. We caught up with 30-year-old Tony Mpoudja, who told us about his experience as a black actor in France's very white film industry.
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Thu, 05/12/2011 - 19:12

Good mood prevails, even as Anglos compete with bleak tales of sex and death

There's a festive atmosphere outside at Cannes this year. Inside the screening rooms, it's another story, with a pair of Anglophones getting the competition off to a bleak, disturbing start -- with very different results.
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Wed, 05/11/2011 - 15:22

Cannes kicks off with a time-travel film by Woody Allen – and it’s good!

Cannes has begun. The proof? Journalists elbowing each other to get into the morning press screening of Woody Allen's “Midnight in Paris” -- and with good reason. The movie is a fresh, fast-moving ode to Paris and the pursuit of fantasy.
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Tue, 05/10/2011 - 20:54

Cannes prepares for lift-off -- and 'the Americans are back'

It’s the calm before the (hopefully figurative) storm here in Cannes one day before the festival kicks off. But last-minute preparations are underway, and there's excitement in the air -- especially since this year, the big names are back.
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Mon, 05/09/2011 - 14:29

Cannes selection gets political with films from jailed Iranian directors

A rather apolitical-looking Cannes selection got a fierce shot of politics this past weekend, when films from two jailed Iranian directors -- Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof -- were added to the line-up.
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Fri, 05/06/2011 - 19:23

Star-gazers to get their fill at this year's Cannes

Those who complained about a lack of big stars strutting up and down the red carpet at last year’s festival should be smiling this time around.
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Thu, 05/05/2011 - 15:00

Silent French film 'The Artist' a late addition to Cannes competition

An unusual-sounding (as in silent and black-and-white) French film, "The Artist", has been added to the main competition line-up. Meanwhile, "The Beloved", the new movie from hip French auteur Christophe Honoré will close the festival.
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Tue, 04/26/2011 - 09:51

Woody, the Sarkozys, and other notables outside the main Cannes line-up

What stands out among films outside the central line-up this year? Woody Allen in Paris (with First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy), President Sarkozy skewered onscreen, a teen romance by Gus Van Sant, and the latest from French heavyweight André Téchiné.
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Tue, 04/19/2011 - 21:54

The jury is in

Robert De Niro will be presiding over a typically international jury mixing glamorous actors, well-regarded industry professionals, and a literary figure with a serious film legacy. Will they agree on the winners?
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Mon, 04/18/2011 - 20:09

Cannes official selection: Reading between the lines

After a disappointing 2010 edition, hopes are high for Cannes 2011 -- especially since the official competition selection announced last week looks promising. Here are some initial observations, gripes, and pleasant surprises.
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