“THIS IS STILL THE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE FILMS OF THE GREATEST DIRECTORS IN THE WORLD”
Le Soir’s Cannes correspondent Fabienne Bradfer was shocked to find himself sitting next to Brian De Palma at Thursday’s competition screening of François Ozon’s Jeune et jolie, and asked him a few questions before the film started. It was a rainy evening, and Bradfer writes that De Palma was there “incognito, umbrella in his right hand, Yankee cap on his knees.” Eventually, De Palma smiled toward Bradfer, “removed his headphones and muttered that at times like these, he is not eligible for Cannes.”Bradfer’s blog post continues:
”I nod, trying not to soak with my umbrella. I'm sitting next to one of the greatest American filmmakers. We chat a little, timidly at first. After exchanging a few words on his arrival the day before from the United States, the weather, his refusal to watch movies on an airplane and the irritation of getting up every two seconds to let other spectators pass, he said: ‘What is your name? Mine is Brian,’ and shook my hand. I smiled at him, saying that I know his name is Brian and mine is Fabienne. From there follows a friendly conversation about the ironic pleasure of going to see films at festivals. His average: 5 per day. He tells me: ‘This is still the place where you can see the films of the greatest directors in the world.’ Brian De Palma loves to haunt film festivals. I slip in the name of Hitchcock, his eyes light up. He dedicates his boundless admiration. With mischief in his eyes, he says: ‘And Kim Novak is coming ...’. He can’t find the words. Brian De Palma will be able to relive the great cinematic emotion of his youth: watching Vertigo in a restored version thanks to Cannes Classics."
According to a tweet from Francois Yon, De Palma also attended a screening of Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza’s Salvo. That film is part of Cannes "Critics Week," and one other tweet says that if you want to see De Palma on the Croisette, that is where you will most often find him.
Updated: Thursday, May 16, 2013 12:17 PM CDT
Post Comment | Permalink | Share This Post