Today’s AFI Movie Club selection is Schmigadoon!, an American musical comedy television series created by Cinco Paul and Ken Dario that parodies and pays homage to Golden Age musicals of the 1940s and 1950s. Cinco Paul also has written all the show’s songs.
Schmigadoon!
The series is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and stars an ensemble cast including Cecily Strong, Kristen Chenowith, Martin Short, and recent Academy-award winner, Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), among others. Christopher Gattelli handled the choreography.
Cecily Strong also is credited as a series producer. Said Strong, “It turns out that when you stay with something for two years, they make you a producer. Strong was the first person cast in SCHMIGADOON!
Cecily Strong
Here is what the American Film Institute had to say about SCHMIGADOON! at the 2021 AFI Awards:
“SCHMIGADOON! explodes with joy and music and laughter – and contemporary cynicism. This candy-colored cocktail is hand-crafted by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, who have created an ebullient valentine to musicals by inviting even the most sardonic to see the world beyond the fog of Brigadoon. Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key light up a glittering marquee of Broadway talent that power an insight into personal change through clever homage, catchy songs and bravura, show-stopping choreography.” -The American Film Institute, AFI AWARDS 2021
The series is available on Apple TV+ and premiered on July 16th, 2021.
Check out the official trailer where star Kristen Chenowith sings the showstopping “Tribulation” sing-a-long in one four-minute-long, continuous take!
About AFI Movie Club
AFI has created a global, virtual gathering of those who love the movies. As a non-profit, AFI Movie Club is a member-powered organization, dependent upon the support of its movie fans. To support AFI Movie Club please consider becoming a member or donating.
AFI Movie Club was launched as a free program to raise the nation’s spirits by bringing artists and audiences together. AFI shines a spotlight on an iconic movie each day. Audiences can “gather” at AFI.com/MovieClub to find out how to watch the featured movie of the day with the use of their preexisting streaming service credentials.
The Cannes Film Festival, until 2003 called the International Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world and is widely considered the most important festival in the world in terms of impact as it draws attention to and raises profiles of films contributing to the development of cinema, globally boosts the industry and celebrates film at an international level, As such, a nine-part series on the Cannes Film Festival is underway with the publishing of the History of the Cannes Film Festival – Part I, Part II, and Part III.
As Cannes became a world-class film festival during the 1950s and through the advent of the Cold War, the Cannes Film Festival, still known as the International Film Festival, was attracting hundreds of journalists and celebrities alike. The end of WWII brought about renewed agreements, and exchanges. Numerous international cinematographic events were organized and put forth. Most filmmaking countries attended one another’s events as a sign of respect and friendship.
But, in 1958, France entered into a constitutional crisis resulting in the demise of the 4th Republic and a needed transition to a new constitution and thereby, a new republic, the 5th Republic, on October 4th, 1958, led by Charles De Gaulle, who in turn became the first French president elected under the new republic in December of 1958.
Meanwhile, André Malraux became the International Film Festival’s organizer. He was also the Minister of Cultural Affairs. He gave a new dimension to the competition and let the younger generations express themselves. Malraux’s selections were not always uncontroversial, but he imposed a film that led to one of the biggest French scandals of the decade, Jacques Rivette’s La Religieuse (The Nun).
In 1959, André Malraux, in agreement with Robert Favre Le Bret (the Festival’s Delegate General), formalized the Film Market. This market moved into the Palais, asserting its role in developing the film industry. The International Film Market has grown each year and today is the largest event in the film industry worldwide.
André Malraux
Critics’ Week comes to Cannes
The film market did not make everyone happy, notably, those who judge films (cinema critics). In 1961, the Association Française de la Critique du Cinéma (French Syndicate of Cinema Critics) was founded, with Georges Sadoul as President. In 1962, the Association of Film Critics created Critics’ Week, a parallel event held outside the Palais that presented filmmakers’ first or second films. The public was particularly impressed by Bertrand Blier’s first feature film shown at this event, Hitler, connais pas .
Hitler, connais pas
The Cannes Film Festival gradually opened up to the International film world. Films from countries such as China, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Brazil began to feature amongst the award winners, and Japan was particularly in vogue with its Samurai films winning four Special Jury Prizes between 1960 and 1965.
Harakiri
Scandals
Since its creation, the Cannes Film Festival has seen quite a few scandals due to the choice of film selected, for various reasons. For example, in 1960, Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, was considered pornographic by some people. This film was controversial at the Vatican, which threatened to excommunicate anyone who saw it.
Viridiana
And, there was also Luis Buñuel’s film Viridiana, which criticized religion and its deviations. Franco’s Spain tried to censor it, but the director sent the film anyway, which led to his being forbidden from returning to his country.
In 1964, for the first time, the president of the jury was not an academic but a director named Fritz Lang. Since the festival’s very beginnings, the jury had always been led by writers such as André Maurois, Marcel Achard, Marcel Pagnol, Maurice Genevoix, Jean Giono.
Up until this time, the film world had been qualified as a minor art form, but it would be legitimized by respected intellectual and cultural institutions such as the Académie Française.
From then on, the 7th Art combining the six previous arts of architecture, sculpture, painting, music, poetry, dance, became more and more liberated and the members of the jury were increasingly chosen from the film world.
In 1965, the actress Olivia de Havilland, pictured above, was the first woman president of the jury, followed the year after by Sofia Loren.
Deep Social Malaise
In May of 1968, France was overcome by a deep social malaise. The demonstrations started in and around Paris, and clashes with the police grew more intense. The crackdown was reinforced in the night of 10 to 11 May, leading to the country’s total paralysis.
Despite the shockwaves that submerged the country, the Cannes Film Festival began on 11 May and was supposed to continue to 25 May. A much-awaited restored version of the famous Gone with the Wind was scheduled to be shown.
In the following days, Eddie Barclay’s amazing parties provided a bit of light-heartedness amidst the national crisis. The atmosphere in Cannes was electric, and feelings were running especially high amongst the younger generation of filmmakers.
François Truffaut at the turbulent 1968 Cannes Film Festival
François Truffaut made the announcement, “Everything with any sort of dignity or importance in France has come to a stop. I propose that we bring Cannes to a halt to organize a debate about the future of French cinema!” The jury members pulled out one after the other, first Louis Malle, then Monica Vitti, and Roman Polanski.
Peppermint Frappé
The debates and the strike action that paralyzed the Palais du Festival became increasingly bitter. On the 18th of May, at the height of the troubles, Carlos Saura and Geraldine Chaplin prevented the showing of their film Peppermint Frappé by hanging onto the stage curtains.
Directors and producers called for the Festival to be shut down to prevent things from degenerating any further. After negotiations and incidents, they got their way on 19 May 1968 at noon – the president of the Festival Robert Favre Le Bret decided to cancel the festival to prevent things from degenerating any further. The Palais immediately emptied out.
The TCM Classic Film Festival is back! Earlier today, TCM announced the schedule for the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival, With a run slated for April 21-24, 2022, the festival will kick off April 21st with a 40th Anniversary screening of Steven Spielberg’s classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre. This year’s edition is centered around the theme, “All Together Now: Back To The Big Screen.”
On Opening Night Drew Barrymore and Henry Thomas will appear on the red carpet at the 40th-anniversary screening of the beloved family sci-fi film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial joining director Steven Spielberg and producer Kathleen Kennedy.
In addition, iconic actress and comedian LilyTomlin will be honored a hand and footprint ceremony in the courtyard of the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre Imax® in Hollywood on Friday, April 22.
Iconic actress and comedian, Lily Tomlin (pictured above) will be honored a hand and footprint ceremony in the courtyard of the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre Imax® during the 13th TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood on Friday, April 22. (Photo courtesy of TCM)
But wait..there’s more! Legendary film critic/historian Leonard Maltin will receive the third Robert Osborne Award, “recognizing an individual who has helped keep the cultural heritage of classic film alive for future generations.”
Legendary film critic/historian Leonard Maltin (pictured above) will receive the third Robert Osborne Award at the 13th TCM Classic Film Festival, “recognizing an individual who has helped keep the cultural heritage of classic film alive for future generations.” . (Photo courtesy of TCM)
Ben Mankiewicz, TCM primetime anchor and official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival beamed, “I am thrilled that the TCM Classic Film Festival will be returning to Hollywood in 2022 and that we’ll have the opportunity to celebrate these two legitimate legends in person. Lily Tomlin’s work has endured for decades because she brings a consistent joyous authenticity and richness to every character she plays…. And Leonard Maltin continues to be an indispensable source of film knowledge. His books were IMDB and Wikipedia in the pre-internet age. If you didn’t have a copy – or six – of Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide, you weren’t a serious film buff. He made information about movies accessible and compelling to millions of fans. I know because I was one.”
TCM Classic Film Festival Throwback: HollywoodGlee, center, with TCM host and film critic, Ben Mankiewicz, left, and David Beakel. at the historic Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, Calif. (Photo Credit: Rosie Pearson, Casablanca Entertainment)
With a slate of exciting events including a silent film presented with live accompaniment, pre-Codes, cult classics, world premiere restorations, and modern favorites with cast reunions, the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival seems to have something for every film fan.
Larry Gleeson, left, with Hollywood starlet, Angie Dickinson, at the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival Meet & Greet: An Evening With Angie Dickinson. (Photo credit: HollywoodGlee)
The pass holder exclusive Club TCM schedule, including Looney Tunes in Hollywood, a look at celebrity animation by historian and animation expert Mark McCray
Reframed, a panel on the complex topic of art vs. the artist, moderated by TCM host Jacqueline Stewart
Letters from Hollywood, a presentation from the team behind the book of rare correspondence from the studio era
A celebration of singer, actor, and activist Doris Day with some of her longtime friends and collaborators
Catch Them If You Can, a guided tour of movie chase scenes with TCM Senior Producer and author Scott McGee and stunt performers Buddy Joe Hooker and Debbie Evans
A live and lively table read of B-movie favorite, I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE (1958)
The world premiere of a new 70mm print of Stanley Kubrick’s SPARTACUS (1960) at the Hollywood Legion Theater at Post 43
A US Premiere restoration of the sci-fi cult classic INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) introduced by writer/director John Sayles
A timely selection of pre-Codes: COCKTAIL HOUR (1933), DINNER AT EIGHT(1933), and EVENINGS FOR SALE (1932)
A 60th-anniversary screening of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962) with John Mellencamp in attendance
Actor Richard Benjamin in attendance for a presentation of THE SUNSHINE BOYS (1975)
Actor Tess Harper in attendance for a screening of TENDER MERCIES (1983)
Director and cinematographer Ernest R. Dickerson attending a presentation of THE THIRD MAN(1949)
Actor Kate Flannery introducing an 80th-anniversary screening of MAISIE GETS HER MAN (1942)
Singer/songwriter Marty Stuart to introduce a 70th-anniversary screening of HIGH NOON (1952)
A LITTLE SONG, A LITTLE DANCE, a showcase of rarely seen musical performances from classic movies, curated by Andrea Kalas of the Paramount archives
Oscar-winner Ben Burtt’s novel edit of Republic Pictures’ 12-chapter action-adventure serial, SPY SMASHER STRIKES BACK (1942), into a new feature presentation
To view the full schedule including films and presentations, click here.
For more information about Special Guests attending the Festival, click here.
Festival passes are still available, but supplies are limited. For more information about Festival passes and/or to purchase one today, please click here.
The Festival has also updated the health protocols and safety measures for this year’s event. View the latest guidelines here.
Larry Gleeson poses in front of TCM Past at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. (Photo cr. HollywoodGlee)
Looking forward to seeing you in Hollywood!
Since 1927, The TCL Chinese Theatre has been the home of the most important, star-powered red carpet movie premieres and special events, where Hollywood’s biggest and brightest talents have come to watch their movies. The most famous movie theatre on the globe is world-renowned for its unique forecourt of the stars, featuring cement hands and footprints of major movie stars, from Marilyn Monroe to Brad Pitt, and numerous stars from all eras of Hollywood. In 2013, the main theatre was relaunched as the world’s largest IMAX® theatre.
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.
When he finds himself training a detachment of TOPGUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.”
Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
Featurette: Check it out!
TOP GUN: MAVERICK
IN THEATRES, DOLBY CINEMA, AND IMAX MAY 27, 2022
DIRECTED BY
Joseph Kosinski
SCREENPLAY BY
Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie
STORY BY
Peter Craig and Justin Marks
BASED ON CHARACTERS CREATED BY
Jim Cash & Jack Epps, Jr.
PRODUCED BY
Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY
Tommy Harper, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger,
Chad Oman, Mike Stenson
STARRING
Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Charles Parnell, Bashir Salahuddin, Monica Barbaro, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Greg Tarzan Davis with Ed Harris and Val Kilmer
The Cannes Film Festival, until 2003 called the International Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world and is widely considered the most important festival in the world in terms of impact as it draws attention to and raises profiles of films contributing to the development of cinema, globally boosts the industry and celebrates film at an international level, As such, a five-part series on the Cannes Film Festival is underway with the publishing of the History of the Cannes Film Festival – Part I, and History of the Cannes Film Festival – Part II.
Cannes Becomes a World-Class Festival
During the 1950s and through the advent of the Cold War, the Cannes Film Festival, still known as the International Film Festival, was attracting hundreds of journalists and celebrities alike. The end of WWII brought about renewed agreements, and exchanges. Numerous international cinematographic events were organized and put forth. Most filmmaking countries attended one another’s events as a sign of respect and friendship.
The post-war international harmony soon gave way to a new crisis as the East and West were at odds at just about everything and the situation deteriorated very quickly during the various festivals. The Americans were thanked for their financial assistance and received special treatment, which was not to the liking of other countries, notably those of the Eastern Bloc.
Cannes needed to step to the forefront and make a name for itself. To avoid problems in choosing the selections, an article allowed films to be withdrawn under certain conditions. But this measure, designed to smooth things over, quickly became another divisive issue. In 1956, the decision was taken to eliminate censorship, and a new era dawned for the Cannes Film Festival.
All the foreign delegations complied with the customs of Cannes: after watching the films, they attended parties that sought to outdo each other in terms of their originality. Those organized by Unifrance Film left their mark on everyone’s memories. It was at this time that the Palais set up a stand with photos of actors and directors. In 1954, the first scandals erupted with the affair of the young British actress Simone Silva, who was photographed topless with Robert Mitchum at a picnic on the Lérins Islands.
Brigitte Bardot, who quickly became a role model, was discovered at Cannes, also amplifying the Cannes phenomenon. The films selected met with unequaled commercial success.
Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes hosted this year’s Academy Awards – the first time ever that three women have hosted the show. Another first time ever was Will Smith assaulting (battery) comedian, Chris Rock, a fellow actor and Best Documentary presenter, on live television.
And, the Oscar goes to…..
Best Picture
“Belfast”
“CODA” – WINNER
“Don’t Look Up”
“Drive My Car”
“Dune”
“King Richard”
“Licorice Pizza”
“Nightmare Alley”
“The Power of the Dog”
“West Side Story”
Best Director
Kenneth Branagh – “Belfast”
Paul Thomas Anderson – “Licorice Pizza”
Jane Campion – “The Power of the Dog” – WINNER
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi – “Drive My Car”
Steven Spielberg – “West Side Story”
Best Actor
Javier Bardem – “Being the Ricardos”
Benedict Cumberbatch – “The Power of the Dog”
Andrew Garfield – “Tick, Tick… BOOM!”
Will Smith – “King Richard” – WINNER
Denzel Washington – “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
Best Actress
Jessica Chastain – “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” – WINNER
Olivia Colman – “The Lost Daughter”
Penélope Cruz – “Parallel Mothers”
Nicole Kidman – “Being the Ricardos”
Kristen Stewart – “Spencer”
Best Supporting Actor
Ciarán Hinds, “Belfast”
Troy Kotsur, “CODA” – WINNER
Jesse Plemons, “The Power of the Dog”
J.K. Simmons, “Being the Ricardos”
Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Power of the Dog”
Best Supporting Actress
Jessie Buckley, “The Lost Daughter”
Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story” – WINNER
Judi Dench, “Belfast”
Kirsten Dunst, “The Power of the Dog”
Aunjanue Ellis, “King Richard”
Best Adapted Screenplay
“CODA” – WINNER
“Drive My Car”
“Dune”
“The Lost Daughter”
“The Power of the Dog”
Best Original Screenplay
“Belfast” – WINNER
“Don’t Look Up”
“King Richard”
“Licorice Pizza”
“The Worst Person in the World”
Best Original Song
“Be Alive” (King Richard)
“Dos Oruguitas” (Encanto)
“Down to Joy” (Belfast)
“No Time to Die” (No Time to Die) – WINNER
“Somehow You Do” (Four Good Days)
Best Animated Feature Film
“Encanto” – WINNER
“Flee”
“Luca”
“The Mitchells vs. the Machines”
“Raya and the Last Dragon”
Best International Feature Film
“Drive My Car” – WINNER
“Flee”
“The Hand of God”
“Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom”
“The Worst Person in the World”
Best Documentary Feature
“Ascension”
“Attica”
“Flee”
“Summer of Soul (Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” – WINNER
“Writing with Fire”
Best Cinematography
“Dune” – WINNER
“Nightmare Alley”
“The Power of the Dog”
“The Tragedy of Macbeth”
“West Side Story”
Best Visual Effects
“Dune” – WINNER
“Free Guy”
“No Time to Die”
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”
“Spider-Man: No Way Home”
Best Original Score
“Don’t Look Up”
“Dune” – WINNER
“Encanto”
“The Power of the Dog”
“Parallel Mothers”
Best Sound
“Belfast”
“Dune” – WINNER
“No Time to Die”
“The Power of the Dog”
“West Side Story”
Best Production Design
“Dune” – WINNER
“Nightmare Alley”
“The Power of the Dog”
“The Tragedy of Macbeth”
“West Side Story”
Best Film Editing
“Don’t Look Up”
“Dune” – WINNER
“King Richard”
“The Power of the Dog”
“Tick, Tick… Boom”
Best Costume Design
“Cruella” – WINNER
“Dune”
“Cyrano”
“Nightmare Alley”
“West Side Story”
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
“Coming 2 America”
“Cruella”
“Dune”
“The Eyes of Tammy Faye” – WINNER
“House of Gucci”
Best Animated Short Film
“Affairs of the Art”
“Bestia”
“Boxballet”
“Robin Robin”
“The Windshield Wiper” – WINNER
Best Live Action Short Film
“Ala Kachuu – Take and Run”
“The Dress”
“The Long Goodbye” – WINNER
“On My Mind”
“Please Hold”
Best Documentary Short Subject
“Audible”
“Lead Me Home”
“The Queen of Basketball” – WINNER
“Three Songs for Benazir”
“When We Were Bullies”
Danny Glover received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, while Samuel L. Jackson, Elaine May, and Liv Ullmann received honorary Oscars.
Until next year, I’ll see you at the movies.
HollywoodGlee celebrating the start of the 2019 AFI FEST presented by Audi. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson)
The Cannes Film Festival, until 2003 called the International Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world and is widely considered the most important festival in the world in terms of impact. As such, a five-part series on the Cannes Film Festival is underway with the publishing of Part I.
Since 1946, Cannes has hosted the 12-day International Film Festival, where a jury of international talent decides on the awards for the best films of the year. An official competition takes place in the heart of the famous Palais des Festivals and attracts the attention of the world during the opening ceremony and the presentation of the Palme d’Or.
The second first Festival in 1946
Gilda
The International Film Festival was born in the heady atmosphere of the end of World War II, marking the beginning of a major episode in world cinema.
Hope in the first years after the war
Official poster of the 1st Cannes Film Festival illustrated by Leblanc[Back in July of 1945, in a France devastated by the war, Philippe Erlanger – who was at the origin of the first, aborted initiative – put the idea forward again to the new director of French cinematography.
But the French State and the municipality of Cannes could no longer afford such an expense. The necessary funds were raised through a public subscription, making this first festival possible.
In September 1946, in a festive atmosphere and despite a series of technical problems, this first festival kicked off a long golden era that made Cannes and its festival the place to be for all filmmaking countries.
Discoveries and revelations in contemporary cinema
Rome, Open City
The first Cannes Film Festival introduced the entire world to Italian cinema and its neorealism.
The rise of a new generation of filmmakers was not to the liking of the people at the Ministry who were in charge of making the selections, but films by these young auteurs quickly gained ground.
The Festival contributed to the discovery of cinemas that were relatively unknown in Europe, although there were doubts as to the jury’s objectivity, given certain diplomatic agreements.
Notorious (1946 film)
Stay tuned for the Cannes Film Festival and the Cold War!
The first season of THE ACADEMY MUSEUM PODCAST, an LAist Studios co-production, hosted by film scholar Jacqueline Stewart, Chief Artistic and Programming Officer of the Academy Museum, launched today!
The Academy Awards have been a source of iconic cultural moments and Hollywood glamour since they began in 1929. The awards are more than a ceremony and often reflect and amplify the political, economic, and social issues of the time.
In each episode, film scholar Stewart interviews Hollywood stars, industry leaders, artisans, activists, and scholars and discusses the moments when history was made, and society was changed forever.
The show is an extension of Academy Museum exhibitions and programs and is a co-production with LAist Studios.
The first season, “And The Oscar® Goes To…”, is slated for ten episodes with an “Under-the-hood” look and exploration of the myriad of stories behind significant years of the Oscars — the wins, the surprises, and how the ceremonies impacted and reflected social and cultural movements.
Halle Berry Oscar
The first episode, “2002: This Door Has Been Opened,” revisited the historic night when Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win the Academy Award® for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in MONSTER’S BALL (2001).
Berry’s emotional speech closed out a night that was marked by a celebration of Black excellence: Sidney Poitier received a lifetime achievement award and Denzel Washington won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Training Day (2001).
Berry revealed to Stewart how she felt on a historic night and how Berry believes the win impacted her career. The episodic series include “revelatory interviews and in-depth conversations with Oscar winners, Academy Members, show hosts, producers, journalists, and scholars, as well as archival audio and exclusive content that will only be accessible through the podcast. “Not to give away any guests….but, Whoopi!
Stay tuned and please check out the sponsors!
The Academy Museum
Sponsors and Supporters
Academy Museum digital engagement platforms, including this podcast, are sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Support for this podcast was made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.
In addition, the program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
Before 1939, Jean Zay, the French Minister for Education and Fine Arts had a desire to implement a cultural event in France to rival the Venice International Film Festival (Bienalle) after the jury members at the Biennale changed the award winners a few hours before announcing the official results in favor of a Nazi propaganda documentary under duress from pressures imposed by the Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
Shocked by these events, the French diplomat and historian, Philippe Erlanger, had already begun thinking about organizing a free festival, with no pressure and no constraints. The idea became official when he received approval from the French Ministry of Education at the time, Jean Zay.
Cannes Cinema
France also wanted to do as well as Italy, giving its Festival an equally prestigious setting. Cannes and Biarritz were included in the list of some ten French cities. There were rumors that Cannes was going to win but, in a dramatic turn of events, it was announced on 9 May 1939 that Biarritz had been chosen as the Festival’s home. Cannes’s supporters got back to work and ended up winning the competition by offering to increase the municipality’s financial participation.
Thus, on 31 May 1939, the city of Cannes and the French government signed the International Film Festival’s official birth certificate. The International Film Festival opened in Cannes on 1 September 1939, at the same time as the Venice Film Festival. The first festival-goers arrived in August, taking part in sumptuous parties. The painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue produced the official poster for this first festival.
First Cannes Film Festival Poster, 1939
The originality aspect of the event was emphasized: each country would select a film to be proposed for the competition. France did not want to create further tensions and decided to invite all filmmaking nations, including Germany and Italy which turned down the invitation. Only nine countries agreed to take part in the first Festival as the looming crisis was building in the summer of 1939.
The first Festival was supposed to be held from 1 to 20 September 1939 in an auditorium at the Municipal Casino. The first festival-goers arrived in August, taking part in sumptuous parties. The painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue produced the official poster for this first festival.
But with the increasingly threatening clouds of war, they fled. On 1 September, German troops invaded Poland. The festival was postponed for 10 days, but the situation only worsened. War was declared on 3 September and general mobilization was declared, making it impossible for the festival to go on. A single screening was organized – privately – of the American film Quasimodo by William Dieterle, for whose promotion a cardboard replica of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was built on the beach.
JOSH BROLIN, JACOB ELORDI, JAKE GYLLENHAAL, JASONMOMOA, JILL SCOTT, J.K. SIMMONS, SERENA WILLIAMS, VENUS WILLIAMS AND RACHEL ZEGLER
THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE, MARCH 27, ON ABC
LOS ANGELES, CA – Show producers Will Packer and Shayla Cowan today announced the final slate of presenters for the 94th Oscars®. Rounding out the presenter lineup are Josh Brolin, Jacob Elordi, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Momoa, Jill Scott, J.K. Simmons, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Rachel Zegler. The Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.
Previously announced Oscars presenters include Halle Bailey, Stephanie Beatriz, Ruth E. Carter, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Kevin Costner, Jamie Lee Curtis, DJ Khaled, Jennifer Garner, H.E.R., Tiffany Haddish, Woody Harrelson, Tony Hawk, Anthony Hopkins, Samuel L. Jackson, Lily James, Daniel Kaluuya, Zoë Kravitz, Mila Kunis, Lady Gaga, John Leguizamo, Simu Liu, Rami Malek, Shawn Mendes, Bill Murray, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliot Page, Rosie Perez, Tyler Perry, Chris Rock, Tracee Ellis Ross, Naomi Scott, Kelly Slater, Wesley Snipes, Uma Thurman, John Travolta, Shaun White and Yuh-Jung Youn.
The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT and in more than 200 territories worldwide. American Sign Language (ASL) provided by Certified Deaf Interpreters, live closed captioning and audio description will be available during the live broadcast.
ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a global community of more than 10,000 of the most accomplished artists, filmmakers, and executives working in film. In addition to celebrating and recognizing excellence in filmmaking through the Oscars, the Academy supports a wide range of initiatives to promote the art and science of the movies, including public programming, educational outreach, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
(News release from Communications Department of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)