Wong Kar-wai takes Cannes by storm
The Cannes Film Festival might not be featuring any new films from Wong Kar-wai, but the Hong Kong director remains the centre of attention.
Yesterday, Wong, the first Chinese president of the festival's jury, led his nine jury members, including mainland actress Zhang Ziyi , American actor Samuel L. Jackson, Italian star Monica Bellucci, English actress Helena Bonham Carter and actor/director Tim Roth, to their first jury meeting before fronting the international press today, the first day of the film festival.
With this being the first time the jury has had two Chinese members, speculation has focused on whether they will influence the choice of winners.
A still shot from Wong's 2000 feature In the Mood for Love, which earned Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai the best actor award at Cannes, has been selected as the official image for this year's festival. The posters are everywhere in Cannes. Some shops were even offering to sell them, saying they would be good investment.
Hong Kong director Johnnie To Kei-fung's triad epic Election 2 and Silk, by Taiwanese director Su Chao-pin, will be shown as midnight screenings. Hong Kong film Re-cycle, by the Pang Brothers, and mainland director Wang Chao's Luxury Car will be shown in the Un Certain Regard section.
The festival starts with the world premiere of The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks. Competition results will be announced on May 28.
