When I first covered the festival numerous years ago at the downtown Anthology Film Archives, I was struck by several features not encountered in any of the other established festivals. The organizers of the festival performed antics on the stage before the films and threw presents like videos and books into the audience. They were greeted by an adoring and enthusiastic crowd who seemed to be familiar with directors and principal characters of the films screened. In short an audience addicted to...

There was a protest today about the Algerian movie, and the French people are concerned how this piece of history might reflect its point of view.  Passing through Paris there was news of a protest in the city which greatly effected traffic.   Last Monday meetings and flights were cancelled again for those flying in and out of Heathrow and Rotterdam, with renewed concern because of volcanic ash.  None of this stopped the artists, and producers from coming to Cannes to continue their wo...

                                                     The Palais at Cannes: photo by Marc Halperinby Marla Lewin There was a protest today about the Algerian movie, and the French people are concerned how this piece of history might reflect its point of view.  Passing through Paris there was news of a protest in the city which greatly effected traffic.  Last Monday meetings and flights were cancelled again for those flying in and out of Heathrow and Rotterdam, with ...