Top 12 Films to See from Cannes

(According to indieWIRE)
(Not in any particular order)

1. Antichrist
2. I Killed My Mother
3. Enter the Void
4. The White Ribbon
5. Go Get Me Some Rosemary
6. Dogtooth
7. A Prophet
8. Mother
9. The Time That Remains
10. Police, Adjective
11. Vincere
12. Like You Know It All
    

The ones in bold are the ones I've seen. I know I talked about how awful Antichrist was, but the more I think about it...the more I realize how much it really affected audiences. Everyone was talking about it for days. Maybe it's just one of those films you have to see to really understand what everyone has been saying about it. The White Ribbon won the Palme d'Or this year. Only two people out of our huge group saw it and one of them fell asleep. I loved Dogtooth. I hope it comes to some of the art houses in the U.S.

We have to write an experiential paper for Kohn's class which basically means we pick one experience that we've had while staying in France and expand on it. I'm still unsure about what I would like to write about. I don't want to do anything cliche like the red carpet experience. I'm not even sure I want to write about the festival. I was thinking about the way this random group of students have been able to form great connections with no silly drama involved. Everyone gets along with everyone. I am always fascinated with how humans interact with one another. I've learned more about people on this trip than the movie business...and sometimes they overlapped.

Tonight we are doing a potluck dinner. Everyone is contributing. I bought ice cream toppings because I don't have a kitchen and I can't cook.

Here's a picture of my weird shower:

Pink Toilet Paper:


Talking Disemboweled Fox from Antichrist:

Update

Without the festival going on I keep forgetting to update my blog. But I'm alive. I promise. Classes take up my whole day. I kind of miss the freedom of the festival. It's hard to believe that this trip is almost over. I had a dream I was back home last night and I felt sad. I missed the city life. I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends, but I hate the suburbs.

Tomorrow we get to do our own traveling for the weekend. I think a few of us are going to take day trips around the south of France. That way we don't have to deal with getting a hostel and paying hundreds of dollars for plane or train tickets.

It's so beautiful outside and I'm sitting in the classroom. I'm looking forward to exploring for the next few days.

First Day of Official Class

So Cannes is over. Classes have begun. I'm still sick. La dee da.

A few of us were chosen to read our reviews in front of the class, and I had to read my Misfortunates one. That was sort of neat, but I think that was probably my best review. I don't expect to read my others.

I did laundry at the confusing laundry place. The instructions were not very clear and the options on the machines didn't make much sense.

I also managed to make it to the grocery store and got a few things like Nutella and bread. I have paid for crappy meals the past two nights, so I'm probably going to eat in for the next couple of days. I thought my pizza was supposed to have artichokes on it, but instead it had anchovies. Not so good. I made a work of art, though:

Last night, a few of us shared some escargot, which I enjoyed:

Red Carpet Premiere of Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus:

The crowd at the premiere from inside the Grand Lumiere

George and I in front of the Palme d'Or inside the Grand Lumiere

Tonight is another night of review writing. This upcoming weekend is a three day one and we get to travel. I'm still unsure where I want to go. Some people are going to Florance and some are taking a couple day trips arond the South of France. Either way, it's going to be pricey. I would like to see Italy and practice my Italian, though. We'll see.

Feeling the Heat

Greetings. It is 88 degrees.

I have been busy the past few days with a cough. Friday we met with Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune and he gave us some tips on how to write reviews. He also told our teacher to make our reviews shorter. Right on, Mr. Phillips!

That night I got into the premiere of Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. It was Heath Ledger's last film. It was so-so. I had mixed feelings. Overall, I thought it was a weak movie. Nothing special. I'm about to write my next review on it.

Afterward, everyone went to the pub to sing karaoke, but I was feeling too sick to stick around.

I was forced to move out of my room b/c of a complication with reservations, but I get to move back in today (I think...I hope). Yesterday, I went to the beach for a while and hung around JLP trying to rest.

And today is the last day of the festival. Tonight they are showing Coco Chanel and then the closing ceremonies. We're going to head over there early to eat dinner for Lindsey's birthday. I'm at the Best Western trying to get started on my next film review, but I'm still feeling a little ill. It's really hot in here.

It's weird that the festival is almost over. I'm not sure how I feel about it. In a way I'm glad because it's been stressful and draining, but I think I'll miss it.

That's all for now.