wow......definitely a lot to catch up on...
I'll fast forward through late night beach conversations with Bulgarian and French people, soccer games, late night playgrounds, and classes...and arrive at the travel weekend.
Friday was our travel day. Lindsey, Jemma, Morgan, Jonathon, Bryce, Luke, and I decided to go to Vintemille, Italy for the day and to see what the new country had to offer. We walked around the market place and eventually wound up at a rock beach. We lied on the rocks and swam in the ocean in our underwear for a while, got some food, and headed back to the train station.
At the station, we realized we could just make it an Italian adventure weekend and head to Venice with nothing more than the clothes on our backs. We got on a train. After a layover in Milano, we found ourselves in Verona at 2am with a couple hours to spare. We wondered around the city, and went to a bar, then finally took the train to Venice. We got there at 7am.
In Venice, all of us were sleep deprived, but we still made it walking all over the city and taking boat taxis around. We went to St. Marco Square, Rialto, etc. At one point, Luke and I passes out on a dock under the Rialto and got a couple minutes of sleep.
After going with Lindsey to the airport in Venice, I made sure she got on a plane and flew back. I decided I was just going to find the trains back. I went back into the city, now alone, wondered a little, then took a train back to Milano by myself.
I arrived in Milano about 11pm, and realized the next train out wasn't until 7am....oh shit. I ended up sleeping in the train station, there were tons of other people doing it too, peer pressure. Took the train from Milano back to Juan Les Pins and arrived back home, after two full nights of little to no sleep.
Went to the beach in JLP.
What an Italian Adventure.
Lindsey covers her story and pov, which is more in depth and ends differently than mine, at her blog at lindseybrooke.tumblr.com
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Absinthe Bar
Last night we went out in Antibes. One of the places we stopped was an absinthe bar. It was basically a hole in the wall/cave in which green lighting lit the bar and funny hats were required to be worn. Toni Braxton and Bon Jovi provided the soundtrack. No green fairies were spotted.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Closing Ceremonies
Last night I got to go see the official closing ceremonies at the festival and the film Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky.
Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky was a love story about the two characters that was pretty good, but slow. I'm going to write a review on it today.
The closing ceremonies were similar to an Oscars-type show, but were shorter with much fewer rewards. Here are two of the main awards.
Now the festival is officially over.....bummer. I will still keep updating the blog about the rest of the trip though.
Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky was a love story about the two characters that was pretty good, but slow. I'm going to write a review on it today.The closing ceremonies were similar to an Oscars-type show, but were shorter with much fewer rewards. Here are two of the main awards.
Palme d'Or
DAS WEISSE BAND (THE WHITE RIBBON) directed by Michael HANEKEGrand Prix
UN PROPHÈTE (A PROPHET) directed by Jacques AUDIARD
Now the festival is officially over.....bummer. I will still keep updating the blog about the rest of the trip though.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Pics from facebook
Here are some random photos from the trip that I pulled of of Facebook.
Jonathan, Bryce, Luke, and I at the beach in JLP.
At the American Pavilion in the market. Scorcese was there too.
Me, George, Amy, and Mimi at the beach in Cannes
Amy, Erin, Me, and Madison in the market.
Angela Amy and I in Cannes.
Me, Amy Nahall, and Melissa on the carpet in the Palais.
Jonathan, Bryce, Luke, and I at the beach in JLP.
At the American Pavilion in the market. Scorcese was there too.
Me, George, Amy, and Mimi at the beach in Cannes
Amy, Erin, Me, and Madison in the market.
Angela Amy and I in Cannes.
Me, Amy Nahall, and Melissa on the carpet in the Palais.
Monte Carlo, Monaco Grand Prix
...been a while since a post...
Yesterday a group of us took the early morning train into Monte Carlo after another late night out in Cannes. Yesterday was the preliminary races for the Monaco Grand Prix. As soon as we pulled into the station in Monaco we could hear the engines roaring of the formula 1 races cars. We walked up by the palace and got seats on a hill overlooking the city and the race track. From the seats we could see the whole race, but still had to wear ear plugs because the cars were so loud. The cars flew around the track, which is really just closed down streets in the city that run right next to the port, which was crowded with huge yachts. It was awesome to see the race and be able to walk around Monte Carlo and explore all the streets and plazas.
We took the train back and went out in Cannes. I still need to write another film review, and after that I'm going to see the closing ceremonies for the festival and the film Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky tonight.
Yesterday a group of us took the early morning train into Monte Carlo after another late night out in Cannes. Yesterday was the preliminary races for the Monaco Grand Prix. As soon as we pulled into the station in Monaco we could hear the engines roaring of the formula 1 races cars. We walked up by the palace and got seats on a hill overlooking the city and the race track. From the seats we could see the whole race, but still had to wear ear plugs because the cars were so loud. The cars flew around the track, which is really just closed down streets in the city that run right next to the port, which was crowded with huge yachts. It was awesome to see the race and be able to walk around Monte Carlo and explore all the streets and plazas.
We took the train back and went out in Cannes. I still need to write another film review, and after that I'm going to see the closing ceremonies for the festival and the film Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky tonight.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
I'm on a Boat
(day late)
Today I saw two back to back showings of Looking For Eric and Dogtooth. Looking For Eric was about an old man whose favorite soccer player, Eric Cantona from Manchester United gives advice to the man through his delusions. The story is heartwarming and effectively told. Dogtooth was a Greek film about a family who never lets their children outside of their walled house and forces a fictional reality on their lifestyle. Incest and cat killing ensue.
Walked around the market for a little making use of the last time with the market badges. As Sarah and I walked out of the market we decided to stroll by the yachts. Dr. Kohn called to us from one of them and invited us on board. We shared a drink with the American ambassador to India on the boat, then left to change into nicer clothes.
Had dinner at L'UP in Cannes then saw I Love You Phillip Morris with Jim Carey and Ewan McGregor. The film is a comedy that has yet to be picked up by any big distributor, despite the big names, due to the fact that it is a gay prison love story/comedy. Not quite the typical. The story was very good, and it seemed like everyone liked the film a lot (writing review on it later).
We came back to Juan Les Pins partied on the beach with a group of Norwegian high schoolers, wandered around JLP, then went to sleep.
Today I saw two back to back showings of Looking For Eric and Dogtooth. Looking For Eric was about an old man whose favorite soccer player, Eric Cantona from Manchester United gives advice to the man through his delusions. The story is heartwarming and effectively told. Dogtooth was a Greek film about a family who never lets their children outside of their walled house and forces a fictional reality on their lifestyle. Incest and cat killing ensue.
Walked around the market for a little making use of the last time with the market badges. As Sarah and I walked out of the market we decided to stroll by the yachts. Dr. Kohn called to us from one of them and invited us on board. We shared a drink with the American ambassador to India on the boat, then left to change into nicer clothes.
Had dinner at L'UP in Cannes then saw I Love You Phillip Morris with Jim Carey and Ewan McGregor. The film is a comedy that has yet to be picked up by any big distributor, despite the big names, due to the fact that it is a gay prison love story/comedy. Not quite the typical. The story was very good, and it seemed like everyone liked the film a lot (writing review on it later).
We came back to Juan Les Pins partied on the beach with a group of Norwegian high schoolers, wandered around JLP, then went to sleep.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Faceboom, and the Dardennes
Today I saw an Italian film called Faceboom about the social networking site and a series of relationships that have to do with it. The movie was not good.
We had seats reserved at one of the big theaters to listen to the Dardennes brothers speak as part of the Masters Class. Clips from their movies were shown and they talked about their experiences. The Dardennes have done films such as L'Enfant, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2005.
We had seats reserved at one of the big theaters to listen to the Dardennes brothers speak as part of the Masters Class. Clips from their movies were shown and they talked about their experiences. The Dardennes have done films such as L'Enfant, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2005.
First Day of Market Badges
(posted a day late)
Just got back from Cannes after our first day with market badges. The first film I saw today was Lars Von Trier's Antichrist. The film was full of disturbing images, was incredibly unbelievable, and was the worst film I have seen so far. Most everyone else agreed. A lot of people walked out of the theater after the first 10 minutes, and those who stayed walked out with puzzled reactions by the end. (Judging by the ad below, one may wonder why I even went to see it).
After this, I got some lunch then headed over to hear Dwayne Girge, a writer for the Hollywood Reporter speak to the class. Making good use of my market badge, I headed to the market to check out some of the films that were being shopped, and collect one sheets. I saw a short film about a family living in a rain forest and cutting down trees. After a visit to the roof top bar I saw the movie Lymelife, which boasts Scorcese as a producer and stars Alec Baldwin among others. The film was about Suburban kids growing up, a dysfunctional family, and a love story. It was similar to American Beauty and was good.
We stopped by the beach to watch a concert that was surprisingly very good. The Belgian band rocked out before they played the movie on the beach, but I ended up leaving before the film began to go see I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (Tucker Max's Movie). I thought the film was hilarious, but it seemed like none of the girls I was sitting next to liked it. It was disgusting and involved dumb humor, and is excellent for an audience that appreciates a type of witty humor-filled dialogue and visual gags.
Just got back from Cannes after our first day with market badges. The first film I saw today was Lars Von Trier's Antichrist. The film was full of disturbing images, was incredibly unbelievable, and was the worst film I have seen so far. Most everyone else agreed. A lot of people walked out of the theater after the first 10 minutes, and those who stayed walked out with puzzled reactions by the end. (Judging by the ad below, one may wonder why I even went to see it).
After this, I got some lunch then headed over to hear Dwayne Girge, a writer for the Hollywood Reporter speak to the class. Making good use of my market badge, I headed to the market to check out some of the films that were being shopped, and collect one sheets. I saw a short film about a family living in a rain forest and cutting down trees. After a visit to the roof top bar I saw the movie Lymelife, which boasts Scorcese as a producer and stars Alec Baldwin among others. The film was about Suburban kids growing up, a dysfunctional family, and a love story. It was similar to American Beauty and was good.We stopped by the beach to watch a concert that was surprisingly very good. The Belgian band rocked out before they played the movie on the beach, but I ended up leaving before the film began to go see I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (Tucker Max's Movie). I thought the film was hilarious, but it seemed like none of the girls I was sitting next to liked it. It was disgusting and involved dumb humor, and is excellent for an audience that appreciates a type of witty humor-filled dialogue and visual gags.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Talked to Director Paul Cox
Today we listened to film director Paul Cox speak to us as a group at the Hotel Victoria. He read a speech he has written about film in general that was very energizing and controversial. He urged us to try and create anarchy to challenge everything to search for beauty and truth in films and to not be afraid. He spoke about injustices of the world and the terrible direction in which a lot of cinema is headed (according to him). One of his stories was about time he spent at a leper colony in Africa making a film. He told about the overwhelming experience he had, and how he refused to cut the film down when a TV station wanted to air it. He was moving and took questions for a while after he spoke.
Tomorrow is a big day, we get market badges early in the morning that give us access to the International market where producers, directors, and writers try to shop films to distributors and exhibitors. This means more access to everything, and a different perspective on the festival.
Tomorrow is a big day, we get market badges early in the morning that give us access to the International market where producers, directors, and writers try to shop films to distributors and exhibitors. This means more access to everything, and a different perspective on the festival.
Taking Woodstock
Last night I got into the premiere for the film Taking Woodstock. An Armenian woman who was a Producer handed me a ticket outside and told me I could have it if I took a picture with her on the red carpet. I accepted. The film was good, but not great. It seemed to be flat, and even though I really was rooting for Dimitri Martin to be good as an actor I did not find him convincing. Some of the visual sequences in the film were amazing, but all around it just didn't resonate. Ang Lee is still amazing though, same goes for Emile.
(image taken from a random Chinese news site)
We ended up going back to JLP at 1am and celebrating Melanie's 21st birthday. Went out to les discotheques then to the beach. Went to sleep around 5am....again.
(image taken from a random Chinese news site)We ended up going back to JLP at 1am and celebrating Melanie's 21st birthday. Went out to les discotheques then to the beach. Went to sleep around 5am....again.
Bryce's Blog
This is just a post to inform everyone that there is more info about this trip from my friend Bryce at Bryce's Blog.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Just Another Day...
Just got back from Cannes after watching a movie called The Misfortunates. It was a Belgian movie that was hilarious about a group of disgusting older guys who seem to be wasting their lives away (one-sheet below)
Earlier our class met with two Swedish producers at the Hotel Victoria. They told us about the new movie they were doing and why they were in Cannes-mainly just to meet people. They had recently produced the film Let the Right One In, and are working on a re-make for a broader American audience. They answered our questions about random film-type stuff and I talked with one of them after. The plan is to head back to Cannes to go to the premiere of Taking Woodstock.
The film stars Demitri Martin (comedian) and Emile Hirsch. It is directed by Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) and the writer/producer is Ms. Smith's friend who works at Focus Features. After I plan on checking out the yachts, then going downtown in JLP.
Earlier our class met with two Swedish producers at the Hotel Victoria. They told us about the new movie they were doing and why they were in Cannes-mainly just to meet people. They had recently produced the film Let the Right One In, and are working on a re-make for a broader American audience. They answered our questions about random film-type stuff and I talked with one of them after. The plan is to head back to Cannes to go to the premiere of Taking Woodstock.The film stars Demitri Martin (comedian) and Emile Hirsch. It is directed by Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) and the writer/producer is Ms. Smith's friend who works at Focus Features. After I plan on checking out the yachts, then going downtown in JLP.
lenny, nick cannon, mariah carey
lenny, nick cannon, mariah carey
Originally uploaded by cpamm
I walked the red carpet right in front of these 3
lenny kravitz
lenny kravitz
Originally uploaded by cpamm
He was at the Thirst premiere making a push for a movie he's in called Precious
cast of bright star
Originally uploaded by cpamm
Cast of bright star (Jane Campion) in Lumiere Theater
Star Struck
(posted day late)
It's 4 o clock in the morning here and I just got back from going out in Juan les pins. Here's what I did today:
-saw American action movie based in Iraq that was terrible
-Dr. Kohn hooked us up with back stage passes to a press conference in which the American pavilion at the festival was being named in the film critic Ebert's honor. Martin Scorcese presented him the award and I was about five feet away from him in the pavilion tent.
-met a guy who works for facebook at the pavilion
-met cast and director of movie Jaffa
-went back to JLP and changed into tuxes
-waited outside Lumiere theater at the premiere for "Bright Star" and was approached by a French lady who had an extra ticket and wanted to be escorted. As we walked on the red carpet she pointed out the famous French actors, like Juliet Binochet. We had close seats in the balcony. The movie was aesthetically well done, but slow and boring. Scorcese showed up for this one too.
-As soon as "Bright Star" let out I got another ticket to the premiere of "Thirst" a Korean vampire movie. I walked the red carpet right in front of Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz. My seat was about fifteen rows back from the front which was amazing. The film was incredible-the best one I've seen yet. It dragged a little towards the end, but besides that the shot movement and mis en scene was unlike anything I had ever seen. Tarantino walked out of the theater raving about it.
-got back to JLP, checked out the clubs until now...
It's 4 o clock in the morning here and I just got back from going out in Juan les pins. Here's what I did today:
-saw American action movie based in Iraq that was terrible
-Dr. Kohn hooked us up with back stage passes to a press conference in which the American pavilion at the festival was being named in the film critic Ebert's honor. Martin Scorcese presented him the award and I was about five feet away from him in the pavilion tent.
-met a guy who works for facebook at the pavilion
-met cast and director of movie Jaffa
-went back to JLP and changed into tuxes
-waited outside Lumiere theater at the premiere for "Bright Star" and was approached by a French lady who had an extra ticket and wanted to be escorted. As we walked on the red carpet she pointed out the famous French actors, like Juliet Binochet. We had close seats in the balcony. The movie was aesthetically well done, but slow and boring. Scorcese showed up for this one too.
-As soon as "Bright Star" let out I got another ticket to the premiere of "Thirst" a Korean vampire movie. I walked the red carpet right in front of Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz. My seat was about fifteen rows back from the front which was amazing. The film was incredible-the best one I've seen yet. It dragged a little towards the end, but besides that the shot movement and mis en scene was unlike anything I had ever seen. Tarantino walked out of the theater raving about it.
-got back to JLP, checked out the clubs until now...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Movies
Just got back from an afternoon in Cannes.
Saw 2 movies at the lumiere theatre after getting tickets fairly easily. Now am about to go back to see another tonight (maybe Tetro) or just hang in JLP and go to sleep.
We saw the film Spring Fever and the film Fish Tank
The First Night of the Festival
(posted a day late)
Tonight was the first night of the festival. We went over in the morning to pick up our badges and then hung out in Cannes for a bit. We took the train back to Juan Les Pins and got some lunch, bought some groceries, then went to the beach. After a nap on the beach, everyone changed into our formal attire (see pics) and headed to the festival. Up premiered at 19:00 (7pm). I tried to ask people for tickets outside the Grand Lumiere Theatre, but was unsuccessful. However, I did give an interview to a Chinese television station about my experience. After that, the half of the group that didn't get tickets went to a bar in Cannes. There was another showing of UP at 11:30pm so we headed back to the theater to ask for tickets to the film. We got 'em. Everyone who asked was able to go in and watch UP in 3D. We took a taxi home, and now I am passing out.
Tonight was the first night of the festival. We went over in the morning to pick up our badges and then hung out in Cannes for a bit. We took the train back to Juan Les Pins and got some lunch, bought some groceries, then went to the beach. After a nap on the beach, everyone changed into our formal attire (see pics) and headed to the festival. Up premiered at 19:00 (7pm). I tried to ask people for tickets outside the Grand Lumiere Theatre, but was unsuccessful. However, I did give an interview to a Chinese television station about my experience. After that, the half of the group that didn't get tickets went to a bar in Cannes. There was another showing of UP at 11:30pm so we headed back to the theater to ask for tickets to the film. We got 'em. Everyone who asked was able to go in and watch UP in 3D. We took a taxi home, and now I am passing out.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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