Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by TAFKA Steve (i) on May 21, 2001 at 18:12:52

I watched these awards for the first time on BRAVO last night. To their credit, the ceremony itself was only a half hour long (hint to Oscars: hire Charlotte Rampling if you want an emcee to finish on time). But I find it bizarre that Melanie Griffith's career was honored the night before (they screened "Working Girl" as her career high point), and that she ended up presenting the Palme d'Or (to Monetti, see the link). I wonder who else was on their list of potential honorees? I guess Cannes is like Hollywood and needs its celebrities like any other show. David Lynch and Joel Coen shared Best Director honors, while "La Pianiste" took Best Actress (Isabelle Huppert, yum!), Best Actor, and Grand Prix (second place to the Palme). As for the commentators, the woman (a film professor) whose name escapes me) was quite good, but Roger Ebert seemed out of his element, both inside and outside (for the arrivals to the ceremony--Armey Archer he ain't). They both recommended "Kandahar" for its strong position on human rights, so I guess I'll try to see this one first.

Maybe I should've watched the Independent Film Awards instead.

• Cannes 2001 Film Festival