Mighty Jerome (Canadian Spectrum @HOTDOC’S)  - is a story of strength and determination. In 1960, at the age of 19, Harry Jerome was the fastest man on Earth, running the 100-metre sprint in ten seconds flat. A tribute to an inspiring individual, Mighty Jerome addresses issues of race, nationalism and perseverance through the accomplishments of one of Canada’s finest and fastest athletes. It is told creatively with rich textured scenes and honest enactments of the life of Harry Jerome.

In my opinion director Charles Officer has taken Canadian and NFB documentaries to another level. The infusion of his personal style which includes a unforgettable soundtrack, mounted stills that leaving you wanting more and cinematography that shapes each scene poetically. There is a steady pace that you will experience from this documentary like a simple rhythmic stride from a young boy who embodies Jerome.  But what strikes me the most is how humble one can be in the moment of great achievements…for both subject and director.  Bravo!!

Screenings – Saturday April 30th 11am & Sunday May 8th 4:30pm

wwww.hotdocs.ca – Festival runs until May 8th (free screening before 6pm for students and seniors)

Tyler Perry on red carpet during tiff09

Box Office Magazine reports that in a recent interview, Tyler Perry, who has commented on the subject a few times before, was prompted to share a few more words about Spike Lee and his “coonery” comments.  And he wants us to know, it’s not off the record:

You can listen to the actual recorded interview below…
Tyler calls out Spike by EURnews

Tyler Perry Vs. Spike Lee feud is not new – they’ve been a couple times, but in light of these recent comments from Perry; does he have a point?

Should black filmmakers refrain from criticizing other black filmmakers? Is Spike Lee right to make his criticisms of Perry public in order to distance himself from what he feels are negative portrayals of black people? Or is it okay for a filmmaker to criticize another filmmaker publicly, as long as one doesn’t implicate the filmmaker’s race or culture? Weigh in.

Additional credits Indiewire.com

Festival de Cannes contender Lynne Ramsay, director of We Need To Talk About Kevin.

The highly anticipated Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life finally makes an appearance after speculation that it would have premiered last year at the festival. Along with film auteur Malick are a few notable U.S directors Gus Van Sant (Milk – 2009), Jodie Foster, Rob Marshall and finally a pleasant surprise from Sundance this year Sean Durkin’s  Martha Marcy May Marlene, starring Elizabeth Olsen. 

But wait there are more lovely surprises – from regular attendee Pedro Almodovar (Spain) Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey) Lynne Ramsay (U.K), and we also see the return of the Plame D’or duo Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne (France) and Ki-duk Kim (Korean) 

Among the omissions, as suspected: films from Walter Salles, Alexander Payne (Sideways), Wong Kar Wai, Andrea Arnold, Canada’s own David Cronenberg, and Marina Zenovich’s with her Roman Polanski follow-up, which is still a work in progress.

And finally, the festival has stepped into the social media community. You can now get updates about this year’s festival: screenings, events, interviews, the stars on the red-carpet and the awards ceremonies.  This is been offered free of charged as a “Festival de Cannes” app, developed by Orange (France’s Media Company). But this app is only useful to those attending the festival.

As Opening Night approaches I will give more insights & details on some of more interesting titles. Your comments are always welcome!

Opening Film:
Woody ALLEN – MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Out of Competition)

Nuri Bilge Ceylan

COMPETITION
Pedro Almodovar – LA PIEL QUE HABITO
Bertrand Bonello – L’APOLLONIDE – SOUVENIRS DE LA MAISON CLOSE
Alain Cavlier – ALIER – PATER
Joseph Cedar – HEARAT SHULAYIM (Footnote)
Nuri Bilge Ceylan – BIR ZAMANLAR ANADOLU’DA (Once upon a time in Anatolia)
Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne – LE GAMIN AU VÉLO
Aki Kaurismaki – LE HAVRE
Naomi Kawase – HANEZU NO TSUKI
Julia Leigh – SLEEPING BEAUTY
MAÏWENN – POLISSE
Terrence Malick – THE TREE OF LIFE
Radu Mihaileau – LA SOURCE DES FEMMES
Takashi Miike – ICHIMEI (Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samuraï)
Nanni Moretti – HABEMUS PAPAM
Lynne Ramsay – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
Markus Sshlienzer – MICHAEL
Paolo Sorrentino – THIS MUST BE THE PLACE
Lars Von Trier – MELANCHOLIA
Nicolas Winding Refn – DRIVE

Gus Van Sant - Opens Un Certain Regard with his film "Restless"

UN CERTAIN REGARD
• RESTLESS,  dir Gus VAN SANT – Opening Film
• THE HUNTER, dir Bakur Bakuradze
• HALT AUF FREIER STRECKE, dir Andreas Dresen
• HORS SATAN, dir Bruno Dumont
• MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, dir Sean Durkin
• LES NEIGES DU KILIMANDJARO, dir Robert Guediduian
• SKOONHEID, dir Oliver Hermanus
• THE DAY HE ARRIVES, dir Hong Sangsoo
• BONSÁI, dir Cristián Jimenez
• TATSUMI, dir Eric Khoo
• ARIRANG, dir Kim Ki-duk
• ET MAINTENANT ON VA OÚ, dir Nadine Labaki
• LOVERBOY, dir Catalin Mitulescu
• YELLOW SEA, dir NA Hong-jin
• MISS BALA, dir Gerardo Naranjo
• TRABALHAR CANSA, dir Juliana Rojas & Marco Dutra
• L’EXERCICE DE L’ETAT, dir Pierre Schoeller
• TOOMELAH, dir Ivan Sen
• OSLO, AUGUST 31ST, dir Joachim Trier

OUT OF COMPETITION

Xavier DURRINGER - LA CONQUÊTE
Jodie FOSTER – THE BEAVER
Michel HAZANAVICIUS – THE ARTIST
Rob MARSHALL – PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

Each year Cannes offers up a Hollywood blockbuster as a treat – sadly this year its Pirates…

Midnight Screenings
CHAN Peter Ho-Sun – WU XIA
Everardo GOUT – DIAS DE GRACIA

Special Screenings
Frederikke ASPÖCK – LABRADOR
Rithy PANH – LE MAÎTRE DES FORGES DE L’ENFER
Michael RADFORD – MICHEL PETRUCCIANI
Christian ROUAUD – TOUS AU LARZAC

Each year, many young creative filmmakers (producers, directors) enter Canada’s diverse film community. However, the majority of emerging filmmakers are focused on their creative vision with little considerations given to the “business” on which their creativity will ultimately seek profit. . Join us as we investigate and introduce three major components of the film of business that could shift the pendulum and create a balance for emerging filmmakers within – Festivals, Markets and Distribution. 

Presented by

Film Market Access & Quebecor Cannes Market Fellowship

GUEST SPEAKERS:  

Kirk Cooper - Founder of Film Market Access

Kirk has 10 + years in the arts and entertainment industry, providing professional services in Communications, Marketing, Development and Project Management of special initiatives, industry events, film and television productions.  

Michael Paszt - Managing Partner of Raven Banner Entertainment

Raven Banner Entertainment represents innovative and compelling independent feature films and filmmakers for North American distribution and the international marketplace  

DATE:    Saturday, APRIL 16^th   

TIME:     1PM – 3:30PM  

PLACE: TORONTO FILM SCHOOL – RCC Institute of Technology -  10 Dundas St East (AMC Cinemas) 7^th floor. (Take elevators located next to Starbucks)  

 COST: FREE – Please email info@market-access.ca  to reserve a seat. Maximum seating 30    

Presented in part by The Quebecor Fund – For Professional Development in support of career advancement of culturally diverse and Aboriginal media professionals to create greater opportunity, access and equity in the screen-based media sector.  

He is simply one of my favorite directors! Lars Von Trier created no small amount of controversy with his last film, Antichrist (2009), which chronicled the breakdown of a relationship in explicit, mind-bending fashion. So he raised eyebrows when he announced  ‘no more happy endings!’ for his next picture, Melancholia, which also expands his canvas from the destruction of a couple’s relations to the utter destruction of the Earth. Hmmm?

Lars Von Trier and the cast of Melancholia

Melancholia stars Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Alexander Skarsgård, Stellan Skarsgård and Udo Kier, and explores the responses of two different women (played by Dunst and Gainsbourg) to the impending end of the world. With the completion of the film comes a new trailer and news that the film will be distributed in the US by Magnolia.

IndieWire announces the Magnolia deal, saying that the film will be completed this spring. With the upcoming official selection just day away – can we expect to see the film at Cannes, where Antichrist so polarized audiences? I think there is a very strong chance Cannes would welcome back this unique auteur and the 2009 best actress palme winner Charlotte Gainsbourg. But this one might not have such a dramatic effect, because it sounds as if it isn’t quite as explicitly designed as Antichrist to push buttons. Have a look for yourself and let me know your thoughts…

Melancholia – Lars Von Trier – Trailer by Monkief

Additional information supplied by www.slashfilm.com