Thousands of film industry experts, celebrities and press have descended on the French Riviera for the Cannes Film Festival.
Among them are actors Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, both starring in Robin Hood, which is set to open the 12-day event. The film once again unites Gladiator director Ridley Scott with 41-year-old Crowe.
The film, dubbed 'Gladiator in Sherwood Forest' by Crowe's hometown newspaper, is reported to have cost over $200 million to make.
"No preconceptions"
Tim Burton, the American film director, will head the Palme d'Or jury and has said he is "sensitive" about his role. The 51 year-old director of Alice in Wonderland will sit alongside eight other judges, including actors Benicio del Toro and Kate Beckinsale, who have until May 23rd to decide the winner of the prestigious prize. Among the 19 films which are in competition for the prize are Another Year by Mike Leigh, starring Jim Broadbent, and Ken Loach's film Route Irish.
Burton said that he will judge with no preconceptions: "I think we've all been judged, so I think we're coming into this with a certain spirit and openness and hopefully compassion for any filmmaker.
"We've all been involved in it [film-making] and we all know what that's all about. We all like to be surprised, so there are no preconceptions; we don't want to have a 'certain kind of thing' that we're looking for."
The festival opens following last week's freak storms in the Côte d’Azur area which left the Croisette badly damaged.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Comment: Breaking the news, not making the news
The not-exactly diplomatic Campbell, speaking at a charity football match, said: "I think the way the media covered this campaign was a joke" and that Boulton "needs a rest".
Click below to watch the slanging match between Boulton and Campbell:
This is the latest in several humiliating incidents involving Sky presenters. Kay Burley was heckled by protesters chanting "sack Kay Burley" during an interview on Monday, and she was later criticised on Twitter for her aggressive interviewing style. It is widely known that media mogul Rupert Murdoch's newspaper The Sun has sided with the Tories in this election. However as with all broadcasters in the UK, Sky News is obliged to follow Ofcom's rules concerning impartiality. Sky News has long been regarded as the news channel of choice, often first with breaking news and exclusives, but these recent events have prompted internet campaigns accusing Sky News of a pro-Tory, anti-Labour bias. Ofcom has received nearly 1500 complaints in total about Burley and Boulton's behaviour.
Obviously bosses at Sky will be unhappy that the people who are supposed to be reporting the news have become the news. The unprofessional behaviour of Boulton makes for amusing viewing, while the aggression that Burley shows towards her interviewee is difficult to watch. Both videos combined already have over 700,000 views on YouTube, thanks to the power of social media giants Twitter and facebook. These incidents have highlighted the importance of impartial broadcast media and the public dislike of political bias. With this is mind, employees of Sky News will no doubt be careful to avoid attracting attention to themselves in future.
Click below to see protesters heckle Kay Burley:
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Gordon Brown resigns as prime minister
Mr Brown had decided to resign following days of talks between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, who are set to form a coalition government.
Mr Brown spoke outside No 10 Downing Street with wife Sarah by his side and said he had "loved the job" and it had been "a privilege to serve". He wished "the next prime minister well" before leaving with Sarah and his two sons to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Read Gordon Brown's resignation speech in full
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