European Films

The Cannes Film Festival just got a lot more manly. It was announced yesterday that French actor Vincent Cassel will be the host of the opening and closing ceremonies of this year’s edition of what many consider the most important film festival of the world. Hosting duties are normally in the hands of a stunning French-speaking actress (such as Cassel’s wife Monica Bellucci, who presented a few years ago). Last year’s ceremony was presented by Belgian native Cécile de France. Cassel recently starred in the mystical adventure Blueberry and the horror film Sheitan, which he also produced. He could also be seen in the recent US productions Ocean’s Twelve and Derailed. Two of his films premiered at Cannes: 1995’s La haine (Hate) from Mathieu Kassovitz and 2002’s Irréversible from Gaspar Noé.

To add to the testosterone, organisers also confirmed a special screening of the classic Oliver Stone Vietnam war film Platoon, which at the time of its original release had been turned down by the festival but went on to win the 1987 Best Picture Oscar. The film will likely be screened in the Cannes Classics section, which is a showcase for newly restored or re-mastered cinema classics. Platoon has in fact been digitally remastered for a new DVD release by studio MGM, which will use the festival slot as a launching pad for the prestigious release. Director Oliver Stone will attend to festival to accompany not only his 20-year-old success, but will also show the first footage of his upcoming World Trade Centre release. The festival runs from May 17 through May 28.