CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2017






Day Four

By Emily Bice, Daily Arts Writer


Today had a late start. I skipped the early morning screening of “120 Battlements Per Minute” in lieu of sleep and a better spot at the 11:30 showing of “The Square.” Regardless of wake-up time, however, I've found a nice morning rhythm here at Cannes. It’s a 15 minute walk from our Airbnb to the Palais. In the earlier hours of the day, the smaller restaurants are just beginning to set up. There's a breathtaking view of the beach from the highway bridge we cross.



Closer to the Palais is a cute breakfast stand. I finish off my walk to the queue with a Cappuccino and a Croissant. The only tricky thing is making sure I finish the drink before entering the theatre.

I met up with Sydney for “The Square.” Paul Dano was speaking earlier that morning and she was able to cover it, so her day started way before mine. It was nice that we were able to watch this film together because(fun fact) we actually ran into each other at the Ice Bar in Stockholm prior to attending Cannes (we'd never met at the University).

Though “The Square” does not feature an Ice Bar, it does take place in Stockholm. The film focuses on an art gallery curator whose life is turned upside down after he is the victim of a distraction theft. What it really does, however, is force viewers to take a cold hard look at their privilege and question personal ethics. You can read Sydney’s review on our festival coverage webpage when it's posted.

After “The Square,” we headed to the Press Lounge to write.

Later that evening, we prepared for a wild Saturday night of ice cream and a screening. The screening was Lawrence Taylor’s “Wind River.” We queued early, because while it wasn't the Red Carpet, it was still the premiere. This was a good decision!

Our early queuing guaranteed us a great spot in the Theatre. Separated only by an aisle and five seats was me and Harvey Weinstein. THE Harvey Weinstein. I couldn't help gaping. Soon after, the rest of the cast — including Elizabeth Olsen and Jeremy Renner — entered. Then, the cast and director walked onstage to introduce the film. This was my first official premiere where the stars were there, so I had no idea this would occur.

Watching the passionate team introduce and joke about their film was special. You could see their bond and feel the passion they had for this piece of work.

Understandably so, “Wind River” is a thrilling investigation to a murder on a Native American reservation. It was surreal to watch a character be shot on screen and then peering 10 seats down to ensure they were okay. “Wind River” played at Sundance and will be released in the US this summer, so we won't be reviewing it.

After the movie ended, the cast and crew stood and took their bows. I didn't time it but the applause seemed to go on for five minutes.

Cannes Day 4 ended on a high note: surrounded by an audience of excited cinema lovers, applauding for the beaming team of “Wind River.”