- Title: Nicole Kidman back in Cannes, while Netflix expected to be big talking point
- Date: 16th May 2017
- Summary: CANNES, FRANCE (MAY 15, 2017) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN BUREAU CHIEF AT THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, SCOTT ROXBOROUGH, SAYING: ''That's definitely what Cannes wants to hold, they want to hold to this idea that cinema is something special and that movies should be seen on the big screen. Later they can be seen anywhere else, but they should first be seen on the big screen but Netflix at least doesn't accept that that's not what their model is and they're making a lot of big movies now and they're going to be making more big movies in the future - they've become a big financer of films, almost a new studio. So that's where the conflict exists and I don't know if Cannes of the rest of the cinema industry can force Netflix to change its model. We're going to have to see."
- Embargoed: 30th May 2017 16:13
- Keywords: Nicole Kidman Okja Netflix film festival Cannes
- Location: CANNES, FRANCE / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- City: CANNES, FRANCE / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: France
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Film,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0036H363WT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Despite Hollywood apparently being less keen to bring films to Cannes, the festival still provides a ''magic of cinema'' according to one film critic.
When talking about the number of big stars coming to the 70th edition of the festival Scott Roxborough from The Hollywood Reporter said studios don't like to be constrained by the Cannes model.
''They (Cannes) want to present a film, be the premiere here and then months later it will come out in theatres around the world and that doesn't fit to the plans of a lot of studios so I think a lot of the big studios in the U.S. don't want to bring their films here because they want to bring them out around the world at the same time and not wait for months after showing them here in Cannes.'' He told Reuters.
Unfazed so far, two Netflix films are screening in the competition - 'Okja' and The Meyerowitz Stories' with talent including Jake Gyllenhaal, Tilda Swinton, Adam Sandler and Dustin Hoffman expected. However it could be the first and the last time that Netflix compete, as the festival and the American screening giant have not seen eye to eye over Netflix's refusal to show their films in a cinema before releasing them on their own platform.
Roxborough said it will be interesting to see if "Cannes or the rest of the cinema industry can force Netflix to change its model".
Despite the changing industry, Roxborough was upbeat saying Cannes still has plenty to offer: ''I mean, when the festivals kicks off, it's just swarming here with people who are in film, who want to be in film, who love film. You don't really get that atmosphere anywhere else in the world.''
The festival kicks off on Wednesday (May 17) with 'Ismael's Ghosts' from Arnaud Desplechin, screening out of the main competition. In total, 19 films will compete for the Palme d'Or, including three from female directors.
''I think it would be a great symbol or sign this year if a female director would actually win. There has only been one in the 70 years that Cannes - there is has been one female director that's won - Jane Campion for 'The Piano' many years ago. That is kind of embarrassing for the world's biggest film festival to have one out of 70 being a female winner,'' Roxborough said.
Cannes runs until May 28. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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