Home Movies (1954)

»• CAMS FESTIVAL By LEON VICKMAN pQ f j. Home Movies Paris Correspondent Carlton Bar was despondent that this fine film seemed to be with no prize whatsoever. The critics had overturned the boat by awarding their prize to Before the Deluge in retaliation to the censor. We went to the Festival Hall, and after the showing, it was obvious there were some unhappy people when Jigokumon won the Grand Prize, and they thought Monsieur Ripois had won nothing. Only when Cocteau read out the Special Prize of the Jury for the direction by Rene Clement did everyone realize that things came out alright. As everyone was on their way to the Casino for the Gala Dinner honoring the end of the Festival we heard that the jury had met at 10:30 P. M. to create the special prize and thus clear up the difficulty of the film 'without a prize'. The jury made special mention for the participation of Egypt at the Festival. In general their films were an advance compared to past years, but hardly worthy of international competition, with the exception of several scenes from the feature film. "The Blazing Sun, made by Egypt's leading director, Youssef Chahine. SHORT SUBJECT PRIZES The following prizes were offered by the jury of short subjects: Prize for the Best Entertainment Film, with special mention for the newness of expression; Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom I United States) which most Americans must know as Walt Disney's first cartoon in cinemascope. The audience at the Festival reacted very well to this polished work which has delved intelligently into the use of stereophonic sound. It is unpardonable, however, that Disney should so openly and fully steal* the style of the cartoon developed by the most excellent group of artists. Stephen Bosustow's UPA. It was no secret this was the case among those at the Festival, since UPA is well known and respected in France. It is a shame that UPA's recent and excellent 3D cartoon, The Tell Tale Heart, could not have been shown at the Festival, for it most certainly would have won the prize given to Disney. Prize for the Best Film Using Pup *A representative of the Disney Studios in Hollywood denies this. He said: "They learned their stulf at Disney before UPA was organized." — Ed. pets, chosen for the viruosity of the filming: One More Drink (Czechoslovakia) is a charming movie which is cinematographically interesting since it creates its story and effects with puppets and miniature props, and is shot frame by frame in color. This film is a simple story made to show the results of drunk driving, and may be compared in purpose to the trafficproblem films made in the United States. But One More Drink has a certain touch of art and charm and good film making which should be an example that fine films can be made on eveiyday subjects. Prize for the Best Realist Film, with special mention for the quality of the subject: The Old City of Varsovie { Poland ) is a documentary about the reconstruction in the modern style of an old city, destroyed during the war. This film, as well as The Five of Barska Street and the poor Hungarian film. Petit Sou, are concerned with the apparently vital problem of reconstruction of war-damaged cities behind the iron curtain, and as seen in the feature films mentione. the propaganda line is evident. Prize for the Best Film of Poetic Fantasys The Pleasure Garden { England) is a film made in England by the British Film Institute and written and directed by the young American. James Broughton. sometimes falsely called 'avant-garde'. This film may be known by some Americans, but no doubt it will have but a limited distribution. Of interest is that Broughton has made in the United States several films on 16mm which are rightly called 'experimental' but are avantgarde only in the classic sense of the 1920's. It was felt the English entered this film at Cannes as something of a joke, but at the same time it was welcomed as a bit of fresh air when compared to the majority of the films following strict commercial lines. The Pleasure Garden is nevertheless pleasant and rather 'naughty' as it follows the exploits of several stylized characters in search of love and pleasure in an abandoned London garden, and did not fail to shock the rather provincial natives of Cannes who always have good seats in the Festival Hall. Prize for the Best Nature Film: Aptenodytes Forsteri {The Penquins) , ( France), is a film shot during a pole exposition, and contains some exceptionally photographed scenes of penguins walking in soldier-like lines. It is a film which traces the life of the penguins through the year. Movies on this subject have been made before, but there is no doubt that this film is one of the finest of its kind. It is of interest that this film was made with a minimum of equipment and under difficult conditions, but has excellent professional quality. The jury also honored the short subjects presented by The Low Countries, in mentioning their constant high quality, and noting the interest offered by the film Leriche, Surgeon of Pain, in that it is a fine example of biographical reporting especially destined for television. Another short subject in this group. Search For Oil, was made by the Dutch Shell company and traces in a documentary manner the drilling of oil wells. This film featured some rather good but classic montage effects, as does Lekko, Fisherman of a Dutch Island. Pictures Without Prizes It is often said that the things that go along the edges of the Festival are sometimes more interesting than the more commercial films. A few of these happenings will be pointed out here. The Bread of Love is a Swedish film directed by Arne Mattsson and starring Folke Sundquist. It is a film entered in the competition by Sweden. An unfortunate incident was responsible for the removal of this film from the competition. This film, the director points out, is not a war picture, but takes place in the atmosphere of war. It is rather the story of a love, a pure somewhat surrealistic love, carried to the battlefield by a soldier from the enemy camp. Though this could be any war and any time, it becomes clear it is a war between Finland and Russia, which takes place in the frozen North. The story is told by flashbacks, as one of the Finlanders explains how his companion was killed. The Finnish soldiers are trapped in a Russian mine field, not knowing their way through the enemy lines to freedom. A Russian soldier is seen approaching their hidden camp: he kneels alone in the snow and tells the moonlit sky of his love for his newly wed wife he left in his . See "CANNES" on Page 259 249