Cannes 2019: Amenabar's Latest Gaining Steam, THR predictions and Netflix Question Still Looms

THR mentions most of the usual suspects, that I’ve already spoken about, as potential Cannes contenders for the upcoming edition.

An interesting title that keeps coming up these last few days is “As Long as the War Lasts” from Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar, the buzz seems to be very good for this film, an appearance at Cannes now seems to be a very high possibility.

They mention Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s “Memoria” but I was told that is not happening, the film will still be in production for the better part of the Spring and Summer. Roy Andersson’s “About Endlessness” will not appear until Venice, ditto Bertrand Bonello’s “Zombi Child.”

As for Netflix, does Cannes want to go a year again where top-notch Netflix titles cannot appear due to French streaming laws> This year they could bring The Safdies’ “Uncut Gems,” Steven Soderbergh’s “The Laundromat” and, of course, Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman.” Give it up already. Make a deal. This is a ridiculous affair which is making both parties part of the losing side.

Here is the list that I posted last month which I consider to be the most up-to-date version of possible Cannes 2019 movies:

Competition | Cannes 2019

A particular quote in the THR write-up rather irked me:

“Venice has managed to outshine Cannes the past three years — 2018's Lido lineup included Oscar winners The Favourite, Roma, First Man and A Star Is Born.”

I wrote this reply to its writer:

Oh, for fooks sake. THR being suckered into thinking Venice outshone Cannes. What a joke. It's an American way of thinking because the rest of the world doesn't believe that. Cannes had BlackKklansman, Shoplifters, Burning. Cold War, Capernaum, Happy as Lazzaro, Dogman, Ash is Purest White, The Image Book, The Wild Pear Tree, The House That Jack Built, Climax, Birds of Passage etc.

You want the best of cinema? Go to Cannes. You want Oscar-bait fare? Go to Venice, hell, you could probably do better just going to Telluride or Venice instead.

Talking about Cannes, I have just been confirmed to cover it again this year by the festival’s press department. World of Reel will be there for the 72nd edition which will run from the 14th to the 25th of May.

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