I’ve been reading the dispatches from Cannes. Two of the three female directors with films in competition have already screened, Fish Tank directed by Andrea Arnold and Bright Star directed by Jane Campion. Isabel Coixet’s film Map of the Sounds of Tokyo still needs to screen.
The reviews for Arnold’s film seemed good but there was very little news about it except for the comments on the breakout performance from non actor Katie Jarvis. Maybe it didn’t get the attention because it was about a teenage girl, and maybe Arnold is just not a big enough name to generate the press that other directors can.
Jane Campion got some great attention for her “comeback” film since she hasn’t made one in six years. (Her own choice. She wanted to spend time with her daughter.) One of the criticisms of the film is that it is not “sexy” enough. At her press conference Campion used the opportunity to talk about the lack of women directors and challenged women to have a tougher skin. Good buzz but nothing over the top.
Then something happened. The guys arrived and took over. What I find so interesting is how some of the male directors are making news about themselves as directors, and as people. The egos on these guys are gargantuan.
Here’s what I mean, Lars Von Trier made a great movie Breaking the Waves and another one that I found unwatcheable Dogville among others, arrived at Cannes with his controverisal film Antichrist. At the press conference for the film he declared himself “the best film director in the world.”
Quentin Tarantino has also had some hits and misses followed and declared himself god in this statement about his film Inglourious Basterds: “I love [my characters] from this god perspective because I am god as far as the characters are concerned, because I created them.”
I just find these comments so bizarre and laughable and don’t think any woman director would ever declare herself the best film director or god. I hope that both Von Trier and Tarantino comments were greeted with chuckles. I wonder what would happen if a woman director said either one of those comments. I bet that it wouldn’t be all over the web in the same way both these guys comments are.
What do you think?
Tarantino: “I am God…” (Indiewire)
Lars Von Trier: “I am the best filmmaker in the world.” (Spout)
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