Cannes.... that place where noone is 100% sure what is going to spark and catch fire. A place where legends of futures yet to come to the rest of the world get started. What legends will be borne this time? I don't know... but here's a look from Korben...

We're nine days away from the official announcment of the Cannes Film Festival selection, and I wanted to share with you the basic rumors that are flying around right now.

As you know, the Festival will be held from May 12th trough May 23rd. We already know that the French film POLA X, by Leos Carax, starring Catherine Deneuve will open it. We also know a tribute will be given to Louise Brooks and that Kristin Scott-Thomas will host the opening ceremony on TV. The president of the jury is David Cronenberg !

Aside from those few things... that's it ! It's only rumors. Jim Jarmush should be there with GHOST DOG, Jane Campion with HOLY SMOKE, Manoel de Oliveira with LA PRINCESSE DE CLEVES. Peter Greenaway's EIGHT WOMEN AND A HALF should be in competition. The Russian blockbuster hit LE BARBIER DE SIBERIE (with Richard Harris and Julia Ormond) is shown on May 14th. The big budget LE TEMPS RETROUVE, starring Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich, and directed by Raul Ruiz should be there too. Harry, rejoice ! Takeshi Kitano's new film will be there !!!! It's called KIKUJIRO NO NATSU (which translates as "Kikujiro's summer") ! (by the way, if you haven't seen SONATINE... rent it NOW !!!!!!!)

Roman Polanski's supernatural thriller THE NINTH GATE, starring Johnny Depp will not be ready on time, the same for the epic EST-OUEST (directed by Régis Wargnier, winner of Best Foreign Film in 1992 for INDOCHINE).

As for the closing ceremony, THE PHANTOM MENACE will not be there, neither will Luc Besson's JOAN OF ARC. So that leaves on open field for EYES WIDE SHUT... but I doubt Christiane Kubrick will authorize it. So ENTRAPMENT seems to be the top contender.

That's it. Doesn't look like a great year this time... too bad.

Korben Dallas.