Corona has no place in the heart of Cannes 2022 / We are not concerned with creativity

Theater News Base: With just one week left until the Cannes Film Festival 2022 to announce the films in this period, Thierry Fermo The director of the festival spoke about the features of this period.

* How is your schedule filled these days? Still watching new movies to choose from?

My schedule these days is: watch a movie, watch a movie, and watch a movie. This is one of my best hours. We talk to filmmakers, sales representatives and distributors, and we still have a lot to watch because some of the films came to us too late. We were especially looking forward to those created by the author’s figures. All Thing It will be ready soon for the official announcement of our election on April 14.

* It has been heard that you have received many films in the last 10 days. Last year’s competition was very big. Do you think it will be the same this year?

Until early March, we thought we would have fewer films due to the re-emergence of Corona; But suddenly everything accelerated. Today we think we will go beyond the usual number each year. Undoubtedly, we have received more than 2,000 feature films, and because digital technology allows filmmakers to work at the last minute, many of the films have just been finalized, so we may have about 20 films competing.

* In the films that have reached you, traces of پاندمی Is there

پاندمی By no means the subject of the films بدل Has not been. Like our lives, it exists in some moments but has no place in the heart of stories. The films reflect the vibrant artistic health; As “my car ride itLast year حسی Transferred. 2019 was a very good year before the epidemic for emerging figures and masters alike. The victory of “Parasite” was the victory of a great country, South Korea, in cinema, and Ken has always been with figures like this since the beginning of the 2000s. کوون Vine, Park Chan ووک And Hong Sang Su has noticed. The year 2021 was also great. There are no creative concerns.

* What is your concern today?

We can not get rid of a two-year crisis in two weeks, but everyone Thing It is changing. Today, the way of watching movies has changed and in many countries, going to the cinema has decreased and some of the moviegoers watch movies at home. Even France in terms of watching movies and Attention Cinema has always had a privileged position and today we are witnessing a decrease in attention His audience Is. But I’m still optimistic and know that the Cannes Film Festival will bring cinema to the heart everywhere.

* New sections were launched last year پرمیر And the environmental sector was one of them. Do you have such initiatives for this year?

Sure. last year the part do پرمیر Make big letters دربر Took that from Oliver Stone up Arno دسپلچین And Hong Sang He had Sue with him. A festival of layers and dimensions different has it. It is not just a matter of competition. We must discover the hidden treasures. We have to show the films of the author’s directors, even if they are not made from a competitive angle. do پرمیر with this Spirit Made and successful Was.

* What about climate issues?

In 2021, we wanted to have a small section that was in line with contemporary concerns. This year, this section does not exist, but some initiatives have been considered.

* We know «Top گان: MaverickIt will have its first world premiere in Cannes. How much is America seen at Cannes this year?

The studios have always been in Cannes and because of us Seventy And we are celebrating our fifth season this year. The presence of American studios is first and foremost a sign of friendship and loyalty. 2019 Sony Columbia and Universal They were in the spotlight and will be Warner Bros. and Paramount brothers this year. Show “Top گان: MaverickIt will also be a big event with Tom Cruise.

What about American independent cinema?

In collaboration with companies like Neon, Oh you 24, and film نیشن We strive to present an author-centric, highly cultural and highly political perspective.

* Coming Iris کنلوخ What effect will the new director have on the Cannes Film Festival 2023?

Iris کنوبلوخ He will start his work on July 1 and his arrival will have a clear impact on the festival as well پی‌یر لسکور That 8 years ago made the same change. He is impatient, so are we! We welcome the future with him and his humble and dynamic manner.

* We have heard that he can make a law that obliges the broadcaster اکران Have a Frenchman to be able to change in the competitive section?

Still in this About We did not speak. In the last session پی‌یر لسکور He mentioned this and I am grateful and I agree with this change, but the board did not accept it. We respect this decision, but we must be careful that the film revolution has its place here and must remain.

* Seventy And what does the fifth year mean for the festival?

It is a great turning point and this anniversary has come under certain circumstances; when پاندمی And the Ukraine war has changed the world, it will be a beautiful celebration for creativity and artists and the film industry and for society as a whole. Looking to the past gives us the opportunity to look to the future. The year 2022 is not only a celebration of the festival, but also a preparation for the festival to pursue its mission in the coming years.

Q: How are you celebrating this important period after this great crisis that we are just going through?

Cinema is important; Today and tomorrow cinema And watch Movies in cinemas. What will never change is the art of cinema. We will have films from countries that were rarely represented at the festival. Also from female directors more We show movies. International purpose So much It’s important, and this year we are going to have a big party and a big dinner in an unusual place. There will also be a symposium and we will ask great filmmakers to think about the future. Today’s question is what does it mean to be a filmmaker in 2022? 20 years ago the answer was easy: directing a film 35 mm for cinemas. But what does it mean today? How to produce How to distribute? 1992 ویم وندرس He explored these issues with his camera in a film called Room 666. He asked a simple question: What is the future of cinema?

* With new companions such as «To youAnd “Tikotak” The festival seems to seek to attract a younger audience. Why did you want to change your reality and how do you want to stay true to your nature?

instinct Now it is adaptable to the day. Our partners to Evolution The media have helped. Partnering with French television, for example, makes the festival widely seen in our country. in the meantime “To youA new media company is a huge success and attracts a younger audience. In the case of Tikotak, it is also a medium that is compatible with today’s world. The goal is not to make the festival younger, but to welcome our young people as well as our elders in the industry. It’s been years We have tried in this regard. Golden Palm Short Film, Film Schools Competition, 3 Day Stay Program in Cannes, Corner Short film and Marsh are two films all in the same Therefore Created.

* What kind of health protocols do you have in mind when the number of quid cases increases again?

In 2021, the festival took all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the audience: in fact, less than 100 cases were identified. per month می Protocol for this course and recommendations Required It is possible for the festival to proceed as they did last year.