Hi friends! I think now I'm getting a perspective here in Cannes. Getting used to a schedule that guarantees sleepless nights. Came back from a big German film party about 4 am. Interestingly, coming back to your hotel at 4 in the morning is considered to be quite normal during the Cannes Film Festival. Though this is also true there are people who don't even bother to come back and end up somewhere else. You know what I mean...
Click pictures to see them enlarged
Wow! The German party was great! Fantastic music, great band, wonderful food and plenty of the world's best Champagne! Mmmmmhhh! Just my world! Now, you get it.
In recent years, German films have been able to achieve remarkable international successes: frequent accolades like the Academy Award and the European Film Award provide evidence of this.
Who can forget the remarkable 'The Lives of Others', winning the Best Foreign Film Oscar last year.
This year too, German films dominate the scene with so many screening scheduled at the 61st Cannes. I met lots of nice people from the German film world at the party, and also had a very interesting chat with the producer and director Rainer Matsutani.
As some of you might know Rainer Matsutani is one of Germany's most in-demand TV directors. I found out in the party that he is entering the international film world with his U.K.-German shingle Red Sun Pictures, trying to secure final financing of what are planned as the company's first two features: "Daydream Believer" and "Replay."
According to media reports "Daydream," which Matsutani co-wrote with his wife Noemi Domokos is being set up as a $6 million co-production with Berlin-based Akkord Film. The psychological drama focuses on a man who is haunted by a "Waltons" style TV family that comforted him in his youth but now threatens his sanity.
"Replay," which Matsutani co-wrote with Fabian Marquez ("Better Luck Tomorrow") is an $8 million sci-fi thriller about a sadistic game played on a modern-day woman by people in the future.
Matsutani is set to direct both films, with shooting planned for 2009. In Germany he became famous for his big budget TV dramas, including Pope assassination drama "Final Proclamation" and disaster movie "The Inferno." He also directed several episodes of cult Sci-Fi miniseries "Lexx: The Dark Zone."
I was also invited on a Yacht party by the US Film Investors and was really impressed with their hospitality. Delicious food and great wines! Cannes is where filmmakers announce their plans.
Indian film companies have for the first time asserted their real muscle power. India's Reliance Entertainment as you might have read on iefilmi.com has signed separate deals with the production firms of Hollywood stars Nicolas Cage, Jim Carrey, George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt and filmmakers Chris Columbus and Jay Roach.
Sometimes, there's too much of business talk in Cannes. Oh, yes, you can't beat Cannes in terms of glamour. Perhaps, it's next to Oscar, or, may be, at the same level.
I appreciate what you're saying in your comments. I take criticism in my stride. Will improve with the passage of time and as you know I'm learning how to blog. So please be patient and keep loving me.
Lots of kisses and hugs.
Yours
Claudia.
PS: Who's this guy next to me in the picture just above?
Cannes, 17th May--My god! I have not been able to sleep since I arrived in Cannes May 15. There have been press conferences, screenings, networking and parties...so where's the time to sleep or blog. It's highly enjoyable but at the same I must say it has been quite stressful. There's so much to do and there's so little time. I sincerely apologise for not blogging on Friday.
Karma Team in CannesOn my arrival I met about 9pm the producer Vivek Singhania and the director M.R. Shajahan of 'Karma'. We went in to a nice Restaurant.. had dinner and we talked about plans of what we were going to do in Cannes. I looked at my watch..it was 1am in the morning. Of course, everybody was tired so we just went back to our hotels to catch a bit of sleep, if we could.
That day I was invited to a couple of parties but was just too tired to attend. So I said 'Good night...parties..I waited for you for such a long time but now I'm going to bed.
On the 16th morning, I was told that there was an article about me in German tabloid BILD-Zeitung, saying some interesting things regarding my trip to Cannes. When it comes to press stories I get worried as to what they are saying...good things..bad things...gossip..
About 11.30 am, we met at the festival palais to see some people. I was pleasantly surprised to see that so many people had turned up to say hi to me. Nice! Thanks to you all again.
We went to the International village as well as Indian Pavilion where I was told a number of Indian filmmakers were present. There was a buzz. I happened to meet many people such as my old friend- the UK Filmmaker Paul Wiffen and some other British film folks.
After having lunch it was time to get ready for Karma's screening which was scheduled at 5.30 pm. I was really excited to try my Indian dress. At the same time I was a bit nervous about the whole thing...my Indian dress..screening..what people are going to say about my performance..etc.
So when I arrived at hotel Gray d`Albion, the screening venue, I could sense I was looking good and it really cooled my nerve. I was glad to see that so many people had come for the screening of Karma. I interacted with lots of people. All the cast and crew members looked excited.
Screening was over by 7.30pm, followed by applause. All of us were relieved and then followed brief encounters, networking, questions and answers, dinner in a group, and more discussions. Talk talk talk! After a point one doesn't know what to say.
Finally, I made it to a party after mid night. Some friends also joined in. It was "A Small World" Party in "Nikki Beach". Cannes is known for its lavish parties, usually thrown by corporate, filmmakers and organisers. I stayed up to 3 in the morning. Then it was time to good night!
I'm sorry for not able to come up with lots of interesting stories...but will write about my personal observations some time.
Hugs & kisses
Claudia
Germany, 14th May-- "Cannes! Oh, I love you! The buzz of films and glamour at Cannes Film Festivals is second to none," writes Bollywood-smitten Claudia Ciesla, exclusively for iefilmi.com. Germany-based international model and actress blogs: "I would like to invite all friends, media and film folks, to meet me in Cannes. Let's have fun and go together to great Parties and Events in Cannes. Shake a leg baby!"
I'll be in cannes from Thursday, May 15th onwards. Right now, I'm in Germany giving final touches to my new dresses. Yes, you can't go to Cannes unless you have some thing new to show off- either a film or a dress. I have spent so much that I have gone broke.
That's me in 'KARMA'Being a model isn't an easy job. After the initial euphoria and recognition one has to make a constant effort to look good. One has to spend a lot of money on clothes and accessories.
I want to welcome my friends to this blog on "India-EU Film Initiative", leading film-news agency about European, Indian and Bollywood films.
I will keep you posted about my take on 61st Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes, I believe, is a fantastic forum to exchange ideas. Furthermore, it's great for networking. And, if you have a film screening at Cannes.. then there's nothing to beat it.
I'm feeling elated as, this year, every thing has fallen into place for me regarding Cannes. Besides, glamour and clothes I have my film- KARMA- crime, passion, re-incarnation- screening in Cannes. I am playing the character of "Linda" in the film.
You know.. I have really fallen in love with India and its people. Now, most of my network friends are from India. Yes, this is true they love my sexy images...by the way, two of my albums are on this site.
Some of my Indian friends send poetry to me. It's confidential! I'm not going to reveal what they write. Ok...next time..I can reveal a little a bit. Hey..don't be naughty...I'm not talking about revealing myself. Ha..ha..ha.
I am very excited! I look forward to having a great time and meeting lots of people. If you're in Cannes please do come to see me. I will be staying mostly with my friends from the film unit of KARMA. Producers Vivek Singhania, Dhiraj Kotkar and Sanjiv Potnis, along with film director M.R. Shahjahan, all are going to be in town for a special screening of KARMA.
On the 15th, I will be mostly at the Indian Pavillion from 2pm - 4pm. The film "KARMA" is being first time released in Cannes, and there are 2 official screenings on 16th and 21th May, and the trailer of "KARMA" is being shown in the Indian Pavilion evey day.
I would like to invite all friends, media and film folks, to meet me in Cannes. I am available for interviews, photocalls and just nice small talk. So let's have fun and go together to great Parties and Events in Cannes. Shake a leg baby!
See ya t'morrow.