The Hindu : Murali Nair's movie makes it to Cannes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 25, 2003

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National

Murali Nair's movie makes it to Cannes

By Gautaman Bhaskaran

CHENNAI APRIL 24. India has made it at Cannes this year. Murali Nair's Malayalam movie, "A story that begins at the end" is part of the official selection at the Cannes International Film festival beginning May 14. Though not listed in the prestigious Competition slot, Mr. Nair's work has been included in the sidebar, "A Certain Regard", a category devoted to largely experimental cinema. Mr. Nair is thrice lucky: his first two features — "The Throne of Death" and "A Dog's Day" — also played at Cannes in 1999 and 2001. Last year, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bollywood glossy, "Devdas", was in the official line-up at Cannes. It was screened "Out of Competition".

"Devdas" lead actress, Aishwarya Rai, will be on the international jury this May, keeping alive a Cannes tradition of injecting a dash of glamour to this panel. Sharon Stone, Michelle Yeoh, Kristin Scott Thomas, Holly Hunter, Winona Ryder and Chiara Mastroianni have in the past provided the allure and glitter to the Cannes' jury.

India's 2003 presence is just about this, having failed for a number of years to find a berth in Competition, which is tighter this summer with fewer veteran directors making it. But those who are in are mostly Croisette favourites. Of the 20 competing titles — last year there were 22 — America, contrary to fears that Cannes would be lukewarm to entries from across the Atlantic because of the tension over Iraq, leads the English language brigade with Clint Eastwood's "Mystic River", Vincent Gallo's "The Brown Bunny" and Gus Van Sant's "Elephant". Gallo and Van Sant will make their debut in Competition. Last year too, the U.S. had three movies in this section.

American productions are also strong in the non-competing screenings with documentaries by Richard Schickel, Errol Morris and Wim Wenders. "Matrix Reloaded" will be shown ``Out of Competition''.

Other Anglophone fare includes two British pictures by young helmers Regard (``Kiss of Life'' by Emily Young and ``Young Adam'' by David Mackenzie) and yet another Yank film, "American Splendour" by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini. Peter Greenaway's pan-European "The Tulse Luper Suitcases", and Francois Ozon's "Swimming Pool" are the only non-U.S. English-language entries in Competition.

Cannes regulars dominate French contributions in Competition: Andre Techine ("Strayed"), Claude Miller ("La Petite Lili") and Bertrand Blier ("Les Cotelettes"), are three of the five Gallic auteurs who will be clashing for the Golden Palm and other awards. As customary, France has an overwhelming presence in Competition.

Although there will not be many new names at Cannes next month, a larger than usual number of directors will make their bow in Competition: Japan's cultman, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, will exhibit "Bright Future" and female helmer, Naomi Kawase will present "Shara", Turkey's Nuri Bilge Ceylan will offer "Distant" and China's Lou Ye will arrive with "Purple Butterfly". Some of the other known faces at the French Riviera will be Denys Arcand (from Canada, with "Invasion of the Barbarians", Lar von Trier (Denmark, "Dogville"), Alexander Sokourov (Russia, "Mother and Son") Hector Babenco (Brazil, "Carandiru") and Samira Makhmalbaf (Iran, "Five in the Afternoon"). Ms. Makhmalbaf at 23 is the youngest helmer. She was just 20 when she was in Cannes Competition in 2000 with her "Blackboards".

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