What Remains of Lars von Trier's Filmmaking Career?

Lars von Trier at Cannes with Kirsten Dunst (left) and Charlotte Gainsbourg (right)

Much debate has been made of Lars von Trier's comments at this years Cannes International Film Festival declaring he sympathizes with Nazi leanings. One could assume this is von Trier's of being the provacateur he's always been.

Now this isn't about defending or accussing von Trier about his comments but, assessing the impact it has on Melancholia distribution and reception by the public. Also, how von Trier's filmmaking career will or won't continue. Honestly, i doubt that this incident will stop von Trier from getting funding for his next film, he'll run into some roadblock with those outside the people he would usually work with.

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Announcing the Palme d'Or Winner at Cannes...

Cannes Internation Film Festival

None other than: Terrence Malick's Tree of Life. Producers Bill Pohlad and Dede Gardner accepted the award on the behalf of Malick who's reclusive at public events and festivals. The win came a shock to some with mixed reaction after its world premiere in competition at this years Cannes International Film Festival.

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'The Tree of Life': Reactions from Cannes

Brad Pit in 'The Tree of Life'

Finally, after being shot nearly years ago and two years of tinkering with editing (with multile editors) Terrence Malick long-awaited The Tree of Life has landed at the Cannes Film Festival. Screening early Monday morning the film received on what was expected from its ecletic audience as The Hollywood Reporter put it best: "[Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life] was met Monday with scattered boos, an initial round of applause and then a growing chorus of appreciative reviews."

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Thai Film 'Uncle Boonmee' Wins Palme d'Or at Cannes

"I'd like to thank the jury, particularly Tim Burton, whose haircut I really like," said Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul when receiving the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival today.

His entry, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, is about "a man suffering from acute kidney failure who spends his last days in the country surrounded by his family," which sounds a bit like Denys Arcand's The Barbarian Invasions, an Oscar-winning foreign language film and a Palme d'Or nominee back in 2003. The jury this year was comprised of Kate Beckinsale, Benicio Del Toro, Alexandre Desplat, Giovanna Mezzogiornio, Alberto Barbera, Victor Erice, Shekhar Kapur, the previously mentioned Tim Burton, and Emmanuel Carrere. Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi was supposed to be on the jury, as well, but he is currently imprisoned by his awful, awful government.

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'Hahaha' Takes Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes

With an eye on the original and different and a commitment to heighten awareness of young international talent the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival is a separate competition than the one for the coveted Palme d'Or, but nevertheless it is a part of the festival some cinephiles pay just as much attention to.

This year, South Korean director Hong Sangsoo has picked up the Un Certain Regard award for his film Hahaha. The jury, led by filmmaker Claire Denis, viewed a total of 19 films this year, and awarded the jury prize (essentially the runner-up) to the Peruvian film Octubre, and actresses Adela Sanzhez, Eva Bianco, and Victoria Raposo from the film Ivan Fund received special recognition, as did Santiago Losa's Los Labios. Hahaha is the story of two South Koreans who serendipitously meet in Canada and during the course of their conversations, realize they've met the same people on their journeys from their homeland. ...And then they have to fight robot invaders from another galaxy. No? That's not this movie? Oh well. Anyway, here's a non-subtitled trailer for the latest Un Certain Regard winner:

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