Home Movies (1954)

most of them are sent to Cannes to report on the films I though some are only there to collect gossip) they are fairly regular at the beginning. But toward the middle of the Festival, w ith three shows a day competing with the sun and late hours . . . well, even the journalists fall by the wayside. It must be understood that one cannot condemn the Festival for offering too much to its participants. Rather, one should simply accept the natural consequences of such a Festival, since along w ith the vacationing spirit comes a very pleasant atmosphere of easygoing but nevertheless serious work for the good of the movies. No one in the Festival would want to cut out the cocktails, receptions, dinners at midnight, press conferences, debates, parades and excursions offered to the participants in addition to the screenings for it is at these assorted diversions that everyone meets everyone else, and the best discussions take place; one simply must not attempt to do everything, and at the same time keep a cool head and a critical eye open when he finds himself in front of the movie screen. The films shown to the Festival audience during the 16 days are screened for the 14 members of the jury beforehand (another six man jury judges the short subjects I, but the prizes are given only on the last night of the Festival. The jury is composed of artists, film men, critics, personalities, etc. This year, as last, the poet-dramatist-film maker. Jean Cocteau, served as President of the jury. Two of the more artistic members of the jury were the great director, Luis Bunuel, and the well-known composer Jacques Ibert. Before discussing the films themselves, and the prizes offered, it must be noted that the jury it put under the same pressures as the entire Festival experiences. First of all, the big companies of each countries almost inevitably are represented in Cannes by one of their films, while independent film makers seldom see their films shown. There are of course, exceptions, which are often more interesting than the commercial films. The tendency then, is to satisfy the desires of the big companies, who are justified in using Cannes as a means of getting publicity, and to do some political juggling, so that all the participating nations feel happy about their stay in Cannes. One may well understand these pressures, both economic and political, yet one wonders where the art comes in. A Festival is supposedly to further the art of the cinema. Here is where the Festival s administration falls down. A serious effort must be made next year to have films which represent more than political and economic pressures. Perhaps the small theater in the Festival Hall, which up to now has shown simultaneously the same films as in the big theater, can be reserved for films of special artistic interest, films that really represent something new in movies; then the Festival will be well balanced and please all of the people some of the time, rather than pleasing some of the people all of the time. To make this issue clearer let us glance over the prize winning pictures, and then, those pictures with no prizes. Too Good fora Prize When Columbia Pictures in Paris invited us to see a press preview of From Here To Eternity they mentioned that they were going to make a 'special' effort for this film in France: they would give it extra publicity, make a French speaking version, and start things rolling with the presentation of the film at the Cannes Festival. I Films are eligible to compete at Cannes only if they have not previously been shown to the public except in their country of origin). Several weeks later, at the beginning of the Festival, we read in the papers how From Here To Eternity won eight Oscars and was voted the best film of the year by the critics. As a result, everyone in Cannes was looking forward to a film from the I nited States never before equalled. Of course some people were disappointed. Though this film is very good, needless to say, is not a masterpiece. Nevertheless, many journalists said this film would probably get the Grand Prize of the Festival. Others felt the film had already won enough prizes. Since most Americans have seen this film a discussion will not be made here. (This also applies to the other American films to be mentioned. It will be of interest only to note the effect these films had on the Festival public.) Many people looked upon From Here To Eternity as a welcome sign . . . that Americans were changing from sentimental musicals or romanticised historical subjects to hard realism and violence. The film was well received at Cannes. To avid giving another prize to this work, and at the same time, to recognize its merits, the jury of the Festival, represented by its president, Jean Cocteau, in announcing the prizes before the 1500 spectators in the Festival Theater, placed the American film, From Here To Eternity in the class of "Hor-conours'. w hich means it was felt too good to be placed in the competition, and was thus honored as an excellent film. Grand Prize to Japan The Grand Prize of the International Film Festival was given to the Japanese film. Jigokumon. Le Porte de TEnfers (The Door of Hell) I Titles • See "CANNES" on Page 215 Startling! 3-D < No Attachment Needed) 8mm & 1 6mm FREE LIST of Startling and Delightful Films. ALL TYPES. Send only 25c for omozing Photo Stills of "Glamorous Girls Around The World" and membership offer, to: RICHTER'S 2424 Entrance Drive Hollywood 27, California SOUND EFFECTS AND MOOD MUSIC RECORDS Especially suitable for the Bell & Howell 202 Projector Send for FREE catalogue THOMAS J. VALENTINO, Inc. Dept. HM 1 50 West 46th St. N. Y. 36, N. Y. MAGIC PLASTIC TITLE SET ONLY $5.95 The most unique title set in the land! 410 i red, white, & yellow i wonder plastic letters that stick like magic — no glue, no pins, no sanded backs; 5 interchangeable backgrounds! Ideal for outdoor and indoor titling! Stanley Plastic Products BROOKLI NE, MASS. CAMERA CLUB SECRETARIES When submitting copy for insertion in these columns, please make sure that your city, state and proper names are correct. Home Movies receives notices from clubs all over the world; in many cases, location and name of the organization is missing. Please make sure your copy is accurate. 213