Antichrist Shocks Cannes

(NEWSER) - Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon took the top prize at Cannes today, while Lars Von Triers’ controversial Antichrist was vindicated with a Best Actress award for Charlotte Gainsbourg, the AP reports. French film A Prophet won second place, with Fish Tank and Thirst tying for third. Christoph Waltz took Best Actor for his portrayal of a Nazi in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. More»

Economic woes put the breaks on Croisette craziness

(NEWSER) - The Cannes Film Festival opens tomorrow with a screening of the new Pixar film Up, but this year the glitzy two-week movie fest on the French Riviera may be a low-key affair, writes the Hollywood Reporter. Yachts have gone unrented, Vanity Fair has canceled its annual party, and movie execs are anxious about the dealmaking that takes place around the festival. More»

(NEWSER) - The Cannes Film Festival unveiled this year’s roster today, and it’s packed with regulars like Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar, and Terry Gilliam, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Among the most buzzed-about selections is Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino’s violent World War II pic. Anticipation is also high for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus; Heath Ledger’s last film, directed by Gilliam, will screen out of competition. More»

Kirsten Dunst takes top acting prize for Von Trier film

(AP) - Terrence Malick's expansive drama The Tree of Life won the top honor at the Cannes Film Festival today, while Kirsten Dunst took the best-actress prize for the apocalyptic saga Melancholia. The Palme d'Or prize was accepted by two Tree of Life producers for the notoriously press-shy Malick, who has skipped all public events at the glamorous Cannes festival. More»

But he's sorry for the Hitler schtick

(NEWSER) - Lars von Trier is truly sorry he joked about being a Nazi —but he's not all that sad he's been kicked out of Cannes . "I must say, `persona non grata' is a wonderful word," the former Palme d'Or winner tells the AP . "It has a sweetness to it that I can't deny. I'm not at all happy about what happened, but the word is something like an order you get." At that point he gestured to his chest, as though imagining a medal pinned there. More»