May 28, 2012 - 00:50 AMT
OPINION
PHOTOSET
Cannes Sketches: Vampire hysterics, unforgettable Bertolucci and a few words about colleagues

Cannes 2012 never saw Angelina Jolie, yet the film fest saw enough of a stir with “Twilight” stars, who were here for their respective films. Their mere appearance caused piercing screams from girls and major headaches. That’s what Hollywood does to Cannes or “Twilight” does to people.

Based on a novel by acclaimed Beat Generation's poet Jack Kerouac, "On the Road" features no less famous line-up: Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, Steve Buscemi, Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley, Amy Adams, Elisabeth Moss. However, the focus of public attention was the main character of the film, young actress Kristen Stewart (also, the film wife of the Twilight vampire.) The stir around her seemed to follow a certain scenario: the actress seemed to have been brought here to make everyone concentrate on her, or showcase her “star fever” by displaying cold indifference to everyone, thus giving rise to indignant remarks as to her behavior.

A funny event occurred on the red carpet: Kristen yet another time refused to go near her true fans, and when she, with a haughty air about her, started walking on the red caret, whistling and hooting of the group of fans seemed to have drowned the music. Another moment and the hooting changed into enthusiastic squeals: turned out, Robert Pattinson arrived as a film guest. The change was so lighting-fast that it looked like an ideally staged performance.

At Cannes, Pattinson was present as the star of David Cronenberg’s “Cosmopolis,” which was screened thrice at Grand Théâtre Lumière. Surprising as it may be, Pattinson overshadowed even Brad Pitt. Male and, specifically, female fans, who followed him with screams, tears, hysterics, swoons and ambulance cars. Pattinson outshined his co-stars Paul Giamatti and Juliette Binoche so much that it came as a surprise to Giamatti when I asked him to pose alone for my camera.

On the background of events described, the appearance of Kylie Minogue seemed natural on one hand and very strange on another. Kylie played a major role in Leos Carax’s “Holy Motors,” with the French helmer’s favorite actor Denis Lavant co-starring. It’s a pity another “Holy Motors” star Eva Mendes never showed up at Cannes. By the way, “Holy Motors” has been the helmer’s first film in 10 years. Carax dedicated it to his wife, Russian actress Yekaterina Golubeva, who died last year.

Somehow, in all this Twilight stir, Bernardo Bertolucci's “Me and You” has passed unnoticed, or else, the universal laudation of French masters left no room for Italian ones. The Italian helmer's film followed an introverted teenager who tells his parents he going on a ski trip, but instead spends his time alone in the basement, surfing the web, reading and listening to music. His holiday away from the horrors of normal life is spoiled when his half-sister turns up out of the blue, suffering withdrawal symptoms from her drug problem, and embittered by her family’s rejection of her.

It might well be by chance or, Bertolucci might have been written off, but the screening of his film was scheduled for 4 pm, for a so-called “casual” show. Seemed like the fest organizers, looking ashamed of the master, were worried lest the film hall turns out to be empty. However, their misgivings didn't come true – the film hall was full, with the viewers giving the helmer a standing welcome, and many “big shots” present at the screening.

The wheelchair-ridden helmer, who haven't filmed a movie for several years, told journalists, “this film brought me back to life, I woke up from a lethargy, accepted my situation and realized I can film while in wheelchair, so now I'm, back to normal.”

Another stir at Cannes was caused by Nicole Kidman’s unusual role in Lee Daniels’ “The Paperboy” and the whole star-studded line-up of the film, with Nicole, Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack, Scott Glenn and young star Zac Efron meeting on the red carpet. Zac gathered a crowd of fans, with “The Paperboy” serving him as a good start on the way to serious films. As for Kidman, despite her elegant dress and flawless look, one has to say, the times of “Moulin Rouge” and heart arrests at the sight of the actress are now gone.

A few words about photographers at Cannes. The “basic photostaff” is 60 to 80 people who’re roaming from place to place and shoot fast, yet make uniform photos – full length photos giving a good view of the stars' dresses and accessories, weight gain and new wrinkles. They know every celebrity, and some of them personally. At one of the photoshoots, Kylie Minogue came up and hugged several photographers. The photo guys’ movements are perfectly optimized, and they don’t really care if its Pattinson or Pitt they shoot. Even the fact that they can pronounce all the standard commands in a dozen of languages doesn’t surprise me this year.

Meanwhile, the festival is coming to a close. Many want Carax to win the top prize, however, some realize Haneke and Mungiu films to be the main favorites, with Audiard and Dominik to win best filmmaker awards. Also, Marion Cotillard often is named the main candidate for best actress award.

Vahan Stepanyan, Zara Budaghyan / PanARMENIAN News
PHOTOSET