After Macron's speech on Angel Monday, the Cannes Film Festival is at a crossroads:
Not just Cannes, but also Venice, Locarno are at a crossroads so as not to perish. Since Cannes is temporally the first, he will have to take the first step forward for CINEMA.
YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC Macron chose Angel's Monday to address the French ON THE CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19. So begins his speech (read full text) very heartfelt, but decided that it does not give space to interpretations, before 11 May, France remains armored and gradually reopens its activities, but with the entertainment industry that has to wait for mid-July:
“French towns, French citizens, Dear compatriots, We are experiencing difficult days. . . .(snip) . . .
Quickly, a specific plan will be developed for the sectors which, like tourism, the hotel sector, catering, culture and events, will long be affected. . . . (snip) . . .
May 11th, my dear compatriots, it will therefore be the beginning of a new phase. It will be progressive, the rules can be adapted according to our results as the primary objective remains the health of all the French. Starting on May 11, we will gradually reopen kindergartens, the schools, middle schools and high schools. . . . (snip) . . .
Public meeting places, the restaurants, cafes and hotels, i cinema, and theaters, show venues and museums will remain closed at this stage. The big festivals and events with a large audience cannot take place until at least the middle of next July. . . . (snip) . . .
My dear compatriots, we will have better days and we will find Happy Days. I have the belief. And the virtues that allow us to hold on today, will be the ones that will help us build the future, our solidarity, our trust, our will. So take care of yourself, let's take care of each other. We will resist. Long live the Republic Long live France "
So it is evident that the postponed dates that the Cannes Film Festival had given (late June - early July) they are no longer viable and therefore the possibility of a definitive cancellation of this edition can be seen around the corner 2020 unless Thierry Freamaux and the Board of Directors find a different form.
The communication of the Cannes Film Festival arrived punctually the following day, but still leaving some glimmers to "different forms":
“Press release of the Cannes Film Festival of 14 April
Following the statement by the French president, Monday 13 April, we recognized that the postponement of the 73 Cannes International Film Festival, initially considered for the end of June to the beginning of July, it is no longer an option.
It is clearly difficult to assume that the Cannes Film Festival can take place this year in its original form.
however, since yesterday evening we have started many discussions with professionals, in France and abroad. They agree that the Cannes Film Festival, an essential pillar for the film industry, must explore all the contingencies that allow to support the year of cinema making Cannes 2020 real, one way or another.
When the health crisis, whose resolution remains everyone's priority, goes by, we will have to reiterate and demonstrate the importance of cinema and the role that its work, the artists, the professionals, cinemas and their audiences play in our lives. This is how the Cannes Film Festival contributes, the Marché du Film and the parallel sections (Critics Week, Fortnight, ACID). We are committed and we want to thank everyone who is by our side, public officials (Cannes city hall, Ministry of Culture, CNC), industry members and our partners.
Everyone knows that many uncertainties continue to reign over the international health situation. We hope to be able to communicate promptly about the forms that this Cannes 2020 will take. "
Finally, the reaction of the autonomous components of the Festival, ovvero Critics' Week, FORTNIGHT OF DIRECTORS e il Team di ACID, with a subsequent joint release, have announced the cancellation of their events for the 2020, although at first they followed the waiting method of the Cannes Film Festival:
“PRESS RELEASE PARALLEL SECTIONS OF THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Following the announcement by the French president of 13 April which prohibits any festival until mid-July, the parallel sections of the Cannes Film Festival recognize that the postponement previously considered at the end of June / early July is no longer an option. Consequently, THE FORTNIGHT OF DIRECTORS, La Semaine de la Critique and ACID regret having to announce the cancellation of their editions 2020 at Cannes.
The health crisis we are currently facing makes it impossible to anticipate the practical course of events. however, in order to support the entire film industry affected by current circumstances, each of us, in collaboration with the Cannes Film Festival, is looking for the best way to continue supporting the films selected in the edition 2020.
THE FORTNIGHT OF DIRECTORS, Critics' Week and the ACID team ”
At this point one wonders what "forms" are possible for Cannes. First of all, it should be remembered that from the beginning the Marché du Film has declared itself for a digital edition. The digital solution for the market is also possible (Buyers can view the products from their places and discuss the economic conditions etc. with the producers, as industry in general does) it is also necessary in order not to slow down the resumption of distribution when cinemas reopen and above all to reduce the costs incurred which are substantial and which are needed to be able to produce other films in the future. In short, a flywheel not to destroy the already battered film industry. Of course the market also needs the festival to support sponsorship and publicity among the general public, which is then the big user.
In short, invert the distribution to the general public by first envisaging the use on digital platforms and then on the BIG SCREEN, which still retains its charm, has a single limit or PIRACY. This will be the challenge of all components of the film industry to which to respond for a recovery after the new plague.
These are the data around which doubts still revolve around Cannes Film Festival in digital version.
There is also the possibility that finally the great festivals at least this time come together under a single dream: the cinema.
We have been saying this for some time now but to have for this year a single container moved forward in which Cannes, Locarno, Venezia, Toronto but also Tokyo FF find themselves facing the challenge and adjusting to the times to move forward.
After all, many virologists say so: as in all the adversities of human history, we are still here because we have adapted, and this time too we will do it so as not to extinguish itself at least cinematically which then means CULTURE.
If we see it from an environmental point of view also mentioned by Pope Francis: we are all on the same boat and we must review our behavior towards Creation of which we are custodians and non-destroyers.
We trust in the goodwill of Therry Fremaux, Alberto Barbera and the other artistic directors to find a way out to fight the invisible enemy.
********
In an exclusive interview with Variety by Elsa Keslassy, the artistic director confirms the vocation of Cannes and some openings towards other festivals but does not yet seem to want to unbalance:
“Cinema and its industries are under threat. We will have to rebuild, reaffirm its importance with energy, unity and solidarity ", afferma Fremaux. The Cannes chief also reveals that there have been ongoing discussions with the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera, on the “do something together” if Cannes were canceled, while other festivals have also contacted to discuss partnerships.
And while the festival could take a different form this year, Fremaux said the committee will continue to watch the films presented until early June.
As we said, there won't be a virtual festival because it wouldn't make sense considering what the Cannes Film Festival is. And there will be neither a shorter festival nor one with fewer sections. If the Cannes Film Festival takes place, it will do so in full possession of its image and resources. If it will take place, it will mean that life has won.
It won't be this summer, that's for sure. From Monday evening, we have (recognized) the inability to organize Cannes in July. Today it is impossible to project ourselves in the short term: autumn festivals may be canceled or we may begin to see a clearer sky with the arrival of summer, giving us the opportunity to see the coming months from a new perspective.
What everyone and everyone must understand is that if we fight, it is not (per) the festival itself, but to support the economic recovery of the entire sector, on a global scale – and film, the artists, the professionals, theaters and their audiences.
Asked the journalist whether the official selection will be announced regardless of what happens - he replied: To announce an official selection with the films, it is necessary to have the approval of the rights holders, so we will see. Anyhow, we are working on several hypotheses.
The denomination “Official Selection” implies that the festival is organized in its initial form. As we said, it is difficult to imagine, to date. We can imagine a Cannes label 2020 that allows us to accompany and help promote the films we have seen and which we will see until the end of June. There are beautiful films that come to us from all over the world; we must and want to shed light on them so that they can reach an audience when the time comes (and it will come) of their exits.
As for postponing the Cannes Film Festival to the end of summer or autumn, Therry Fremaux added – In France, the end of the blockade will begin on 11 May, we'll see how it goes. But if the virus is still a threat by summer in Europe and the United States, public authorities around the world will not accept the scheduling of large events for a long time. In Europe, there will be nothing before mid-July; this means that the first events will take place in September. We will see how festivals like Venice will be organized, Toronto, San Sebastian and Deauville this year.
And everything will depend on the reopening of the cinemas, which is a crucial problem. Cannes' commitment to cinemas remains unchanged. We have to help them; will take some time. Today they are at their lowest point, we will need to support them. The platforms are thriving, but I think when life starts again, i cinema, the films will have key roles to play with the audience.
The Cannes Film Festival wants to be present in the autumn to contribute to all this. Cinema and its industries are under threat, we will have to rebuild, reaffirm its importance with energy, unity and solidarity.
Finally, to our wish for a solidarity alliance with other festivals, like Venice or with the Lumière Festival in Lyon - Therry Fremaux replied:
As every year, I speak a lot with Alberto Barbera, who is worried himself, obviously. Since the beginning of the crisis, we raised the possibility of doing something together if Cannes were canceled. We are continuing to discuss it. Other festivals have invited us: Locarno, Saint Sebastian, Deauville. These are gestures that touch us a lot. And in Lyon, al Lumiere Festival (in October), we plan to host a series of world premieres as part of the program.
Finally, with regard to the relationship with the directors who presented their candidacy in Cannes, Therry Fremaux's reply adds:
The process is absolutely the same as usual: the directors made films, they want them to be seen, they want me to call them back to give them feedback. At the moment, artists and producers showed me their films normally. We will see them until the beginning of June, if necessary. But like every year, filmmakers present their films at several festivals simultaneously. Dialogue this year is slightly different because of the crisis. Uncertainty reigns everywhere. Cannes represents for many a sort of common home. ”