"The subtext here is not that films and filmmakers give Cannes permission to include their work in the lineup, but instead, that the festival chooses who gets to participate (which is true) and that the power of selection"... isn't this true for virtually ALL film festivals?
I think it would have been interesting to point out that filmmakers managed to shut down the festival in 1968 (see link below) which could never happen today and shows how much power film directors have lost over institutions. It is a power issue and there is certainly other places than festivals to invent for filmmakers to show their work.
Yes, the footnote addresses this point a little later on-- the way we talk about films being included in festivals is one of curation, when in fact, it is one of negotiation and an agreed upon mutual benefit. Cannes, beyond most festivals, has a ton of power with its "choices" because there is an almost universal consensus that Cannes has value.
I did think about 1968 of course, but was looking to make a more contemporary point about Cannes and how its current gravitational power works. I have a lot more to say about "selection" in the footnote and in subsequent posts, for sure. Great points, thank you for reading!
"The subtext here is not that films and filmmakers give Cannes permission to include their work in the lineup, but instead, that the festival chooses who gets to participate (which is true) and that the power of selection"... isn't this true for virtually ALL film festivals?
I think it would have been interesting to point out that filmmakers managed to shut down the festival in 1968 (see link below) which could never happen today and shows how much power film directors have lost over institutions. It is a power issue and there is certainly other places than festivals to invent for filmmakers to show their work.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Cannes_Film_Festival
Yes, the footnote addresses this point a little later on-- the way we talk about films being included in festivals is one of curation, when in fact, it is one of negotiation and an agreed upon mutual benefit. Cannes, beyond most festivals, has a ton of power with its "choices" because there is an almost universal consensus that Cannes has value.
I did think about 1968 of course, but was looking to make a more contemporary point about Cannes and how its current gravitational power works. I have a lot more to say about "selection" in the footnote and in subsequent posts, for sure. Great points, thank you for reading!
Thank you for writing, Tom.
Thank YOU! My first Substack comment!