2009
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International press only
AMREEKA
Directed by Cherien Dabis
(USA/Canada/Kuwait, 96 min., European premiere, Directors' Fortnight)
Amid the daily grind of West Bank checkpoints, the constant nagging of a controlling mother and the shadows of a failed marriage, Muna merely survives life. But all of that changes when one day she receives a letter in the mail informing her that she’s received a U.S. Green Card. Heartbroken at the prospect of leaving her home, yet aware that it may be the only way to ensure a secure future for her son Fadi, Muna decides to quit her dead-end bank job and start anew.
A lighthearted drama full of humor, AMREEKA is the story of one Palestinian family’s sense of displacement, nostalgia for a home that exists but in their collective memory and struggle for a sense of belonging in a country that gives all newcomers a run for their money. It is also a glimpse into the secret lives of the first generation teenagers caught between their parents’ ethnic heritage and the Western world in which they live.
Screening Info:
- Tues. May 19, 11:15am, Theatre Croisette
- Tues. May 19, 7:15pm, Theatre Croisette
Talent Attending:
- Director Cherien Dabis (interview days: May 20-22)
International press only -- Caméra d'Or contender
BAD DAY TO GO FISHING (MAL DIA PARA PESCAR)
Directed by Alvaro Brechner
(Uruguay/Spain, 100 min., World Premiere, Critics' Week)
Jacob van Oppen, the former strongest man on earth, and his manager Orsini, a scrawny yet dapper businessman who calls himself ‘the Prince’, make a good living by travelling around small South American towns and organizing wrestling exhibitions in run-down theaters. Jacob van Oppen is an uncontrollable titan of impressive dimensions who can only be appeased by the soft soothing melody of ‘Lili Marleen’. Once this oddball pair disembark at the village of Santa Maria, business really kicks off: the local newspaper is immediately gung-ho on sponsoring the fight, helping hands placard posters announcing the big event and putting an open call for a worthy adversary. Ever so resourceful, Orsini knows how to find the right combatant, but fishing in Santa Maria could lead to a bigger catch than he’d hoped for ... Although the cunning editor of the local newspaper is convinced to have sniffed out Orsini’s secret, he very well might be on a false track ...
Screening Info:
- Mon. May 18, 11am, Espace Miramar
- Mon. May 18, 5:30pm, Espace Miramar
- Mon. May 18, 10:30pm, Espace Miramar
Talent Attending:
- Director Alvaro Brechner (interview days: May 17-22)
- Lead actor Jouko Ahola (interview days: May 17-18)
International press only -- Caméra d'Or contender
PANIQUE AU VILLAGE
Directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar
(Belgium/France/Luxembourg, 76 min., World Premiere, Official Selection -- Midnight Screening)
Animated plastic toys like Cowboy, Indian and Horse have problems, too. Cowboy and Indian’s plan to surprise Horse with a homemade birthday gift backfires when they destroy his house instead. Surreal adventures take over as the trio travel to the center of the earth, trek across frozen tundra and discover a parallel underwater universe where pointy-headed (and dishonest!) creatures live. Each speedy character is voiced—and animated—as if their very air contains both amphetamines and laughing gas. With panic a permanent feature of life in this papier mâché town, will Horse and his girlfriend ever be alone?
Screening Info:
- Thursday, May 21, 3:15pm, Salle Bazin
Talent Attending:
- Co-directors Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar (interview day: Friday May 22)
- Actress Jeanne Balibar (interview day: Friday May 22)
International press only
VENGEANCE
Directed by Johnnie To
(Hong Kong/France, 109 min., world premiere, In Competition)
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Screening Info:
- Sunday, May 17, 8:30am, Lumiere
Talent Attending:
- Director Johnnie To (interview day: May 18)
- Lead actor Johnny Hallyday (interview day: May 18)