Cannes Films Recently Released

24 City was released in France on Wednesday (March 18). It was chosen in the official selection at last year's festival. The film borderlines the genres of documentary and fiction.

Another film from last year's festival was also released yesterday. The Chaser follows the character of a former cop turned pimp.

Also, The Class was released last month. It was the first French film to earn a Palm D'Or in over 20 years. Laurent Cantent, director, filmed The Class in HD, which he gives credit to for creating a real feeling.

Along with the Cannes Golden Palm Award, Cantent also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film...Cannes awards and Oscars seem to go hand in hand (see previous posts).

The Oscars and Cannes

What's the correlation? Besides both being events packed with A-list celebrities and tons of talent, they both represent some of the same films. Last May Cannes showcased movies that could go home tonight with an Oscar, literally at any minute (I'm watching the Oscars as I write this).

The Changeling, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie, is nominated for three Oscars including Best Actress. In fact...oh... as I'm watching the film just lost (for Art direction to Benjamin Button.) Well, two more to go! Point being, at the Cannes Film Festival last May The Changeling was chosen as an official selection.

Some others films seen in both the film festival and Oscar ceremony include The Class and Waltz with Bachir competing against each other, among a few others, for best foreign film. Also, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, another Cannes film, won a mere minutes ago in the category for Best Supporting Actress to Penelope Cruz.

Also, this year's President of the Jury at the Cannes film festival is Sean Penn...perhaps you've heard of him? He is also nominated tonight for best actor in the film Milk.

The film industry is extremely interconnected, so pay attention to the Cannes Film Festival awards this May because chances are those films will reappear at next year's Academy Award Ceremony!