(Cannes) Every day, The Press presents films seen on the Croisette.
Asteroid Cityby Wes Anderson: it’s a little perplexing…
Camped in 1955 deep in the desert of the American West, Asteroid City is one of those films where the smallest role is played by a renowned actor. more successful than The French Dispatch, Wes Anderson’s new opus still suffers from this desire to appeal to too large a cast. It leaves a little perplexed, insofar as, once again, one wonders on arrival about what one has just seen. With his absurd, deadpan humor, the director of Moonrise Kingdom takes us into a story where gifted children are invited to Asteroid City, a desert town, to present their inventions to a delegation of soldiers and astronomers while nuclear tests are taking place right next door. All this part takes place in a decor with saturated colors, which is almost comic book. At the same time, a black and white play inspired by what is happening in Asteroid City is rehearsed. The whole is of course inventive, often impressive in terms of the composition of the images, and punctuated with underground gags that make you smile. But still ? I nevertheless wanted to ask at the exit.
Caiti Bluesby Justine Harbonnier: portrait of an artist
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LES FILMS DU 3 MARS
A scene from Caiti Bluesa film by Justine Harbonnier which was co-produced with Quebec
Co-production between France and Quebec, Caitin Blues is presented as part of ACID (Association of independent cinema for its distribution), a section integrated into the Cannes Film Festival, which includes a dozen international productions. Already shown at the Visions du réel (Nyon) and Hot Docs (Toronto) festivals, this documentary film, directed by adopted Quebecer Justine Harbonnier, paints the portrait of Caiti Lord, a talented artist in her thirties. living in Madrid, New Mexico. The interest of the feature film lies in the particular journey of a woman who cannot really live from her art, but who, above all, tries to build herself, despite the pitfalls on her way. Talking about herself at the microphone of a program she hosts on the radio, also finding herself a family among those who are considered marginal in more conservative circles, Caiti reveals herself to be touching, especially as the director offers his attentive and benevolent camera, in addition to highlighting his talent as an artist. In the background of this first feature film, a particular political context, that of the first years of the presidency of Donald Trump.