Yes, they Cannes!
Variety reports that the Disney/Pixar 3D animated feature “Up” has been chosen to open this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Although other animated films have played at Cannes (including Disney’s “Dumbo” in 1947), this is the first time a cartoon (are we still allowed to call them that?), not to mention a 3D film, has received the honor of the opening spot.
Thierry Fremaux, the Cannes Film Festival director explains:
“Cannes has demonstrated for many years its interest in animation by selecting films from DreamWorks, as well as films that use animation differently. It’s audacious to open the festival with an animated film, but we’re conscious of our duty: by stretching its boundaries, cinema remains universal.”
In other words, we are not just about glum European films about the evils of capitalism or elegant Asian films about urban ennui–we are fun!
“Up” is about “a 78-year-old man who embarks on a series of adventures after tying thousands of balloons to his house and flying off to South America.” Bob Peterson and Pete Doctor, of “Monsters, Inc.” fame co-directed.
Pixar has consistently put out movies that ask to be treated as more than just kids’ fare, and they pretty much always deliver (while still being entertaining for kids. They deserve the slot. Plus Ed Asner provides the lead character’s voice, and who doesn’t want to see him on the red carpet amidst the Cannes hoopla? Hopefully someone will ask him what designer he’s wearing.
