The Cannes Film Festival has two major traditions first, the passionate and unrestrained productions from France, reminiscent of palm trees on the Mediterranean coast and bikinis on sandy beaches; second, the controversial and eccentric decisions, criticized by some as commercial hype overshadowing artistic brilliance, and summed up by others as the erratic aesthetics of a jury whose members differ greatly in taste year after year.
If the eighty-year-old Oscars are like a senile elder, then sixty-two-year-old Cannes is definitely a menopausal housewife figuring her out is harder than climbing to the heavens.
Media outlets that can accurately predict the Oscars have repeatedly failed miserably when it comes to past Cannes Film Festivals. Guessing just one out of Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, or Best Actress is already quite lucky, and usually even the most calculated efforts end in getting nothing at all not to mention the Palme d'Or or the Grand Prix.
There are countless examples from past Cannes festivals where heavily favored films walked away empty-handed.
On the closing day of the festival, countless fans and journalists once again gathered in front of the Palais des Festivals. But compared to the grand opening ceremony, the red carpet for the closing ceremony was much more low-key. All attention was focused on the upcoming awards ceremony.
"I think whether or not we win an award is secondary."
In the interview area, Duke faced the reporters and said calmly, "As long as the audience enjoys Fury Road, I'm satisfied."
He didn't want to say more and left the interview area, heading toward the Palais. After ascending the main steps, he saw a familiar figure not far ahead. He immediately recalled the news Harvey Weinstein had mentioned and strode over.
Natalie Portman had just exchanged a few pleasantries with someone. From the corner of her eye, she caught the tall figure behind her, but she didn't move away, choosing to confront him directly.
She wasn't afraid of anyone. Nor would she let this man become her nightmare. Duke Rosenberg may have a prominent reputation and sit near the top of Hollywood's power rankings, but even he couldn't dominate the entire industry.
In fact, Natalie Portman was well aware that aside from Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox, Duke had little influence over other studios. She rarely worked with those two anyway. And even though Duke was powerful in Hollywood, she had no reason to avoid him.
In Hollywood's Jewish circles, she was very well-liked especially by the older generation, who admired her actions. And those same people didn't much care for Duke Rosenberg, despite his Jewish background.
This was an extremely complex circle involving a massive industry. Duke had plenty of enemies and critics within it. The idea that one person could control such a vast network was laughable.
So, Natalie Portman didn't think she needed to fear Duke. At worst, she would just stop working with him or the two companies he could influence.
Not that they had many collaborations to begin with.
"Hi, Nat." Duke stood in front of Natalie Portman.
Natalie Portman gave a slight smile. "Hi, Duke."
Judging by appearances alone, the two looked like very good friends.
Duke knew what this woman had done. But he also knew there wasn't much he could do about it in the short term.
He wasn't so delusional as to think he could control someone's future. This was an industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars if there's profit to be made, would those studios really care about his opinion?
Besides, Natalie Portman was far more popular in the Jewish power circles of Hollywood than he was.
Looking at Duke, Natalie's smile faded. She could see some of her own traits in him just like he'd said in the past, they were the same kind of people.
"You know, Nat, there's something I never imagined..." Duke said slowly, "I never imagined we'd be standing here like this."
"Actually, you should have seen it coming," Natalie Portman said seriously. "I gave up the most precious thing I had and didn't get what I deserved."
Duke tilted his head, looking at her. "Do you need me to apologize, darling?"
Natalie shook her head. "I just hope from now on, there's nothing between us."
The moment she said that, she regretted it. Wasn't this essentially admitting she was afraid of him?
Her fists clenched slowly. She looked deeply at Duke again. His calm face showed nothing as if even if the sky collapsed, his expression would remain unchanged.
But she knew they were the same kind of people. This wouldn't end here.
Natalie Portman didn't hesitate anymore. She strode away and walked into the Palais. Duke Rosenberg might have strong enemies in Hollywood like Walt Disney, David Ellison, and the Artist Management Company as well as studios like Paramount, Universal, and Sony-Columbia, where his influence was limited. She still had plenty of paths to take. She was determined to become one of the most iconic actresses in Hollywood.
And she had been preparing for a particular film a role of a schizophrenic character, something the Academy adored. Just like her mother had said, when the time was right, that award would come to her.
Why else would she go to Harvard? And after graduating, temporarily leave acting to study in Jerusalem? Wasn't it all to win the favor of the old men in the North American Jewish community?
And she had achieved the result she wanted.
Although her career wasn't going smoothly at the moment and she deeply regretted and resented missing out on an exceptionally good role there were plenty of talented directors in Hollywood besides Duke Rosenberg!
But then, Natalie Portman regretted it even more.
She had participated in voting for the various awards, but didn't know the final outcome. So when the name Charlize Theron was announced on stage at the Lumière Theatre as the Best Actress winner, she kept her radiant smile but under that smile, her left hand had already crumpled the hem of her dress into a wrinkled mess.
That jealous gaze followed Charlize Theron's tall figure as she walked backstage, then Natalie pulled her eyes back and exhaled. From the beginning of her career, she had been known for her acting skills yet had never won a major acting award. And that so-called "vase" from South Africa had not only won an Oscar, but now a Cannes Best Actress as well.
What a huge irony...
But upon further thought, a strange smile tugged at the corners of Natalie Portman's lips.
The three major European film festivals had always been about sharing the spoils. Since Fury Road had already claimed the Best Actress award, its chances of winning the Palme d'Or had become much slimmer.
Although judging from Isabelle Huppert's demeanor, Fury Road didn't seem likely to win the Palme d'Or, after the voting ended, no one could know for sure how it would turn out. In the end, it might not align with her expectations.
"I'm sorry…"
Back in her seat, Charlize Theron deliberately flashed Duke an apologetic smile. "I might have lowered your chances of winning the Palme d'Or."
Duke shrugged. "Not necessarily. Don't forget, this is the most unpredictable of the three major European film festivals!"
Unlike the Oscars, the European big three didn't follow any consistent awarding criteria. The preferences of the jury often played a significant role.
For example, this year's Jury Prize came with an unexpected twist a tie. It was shared between the British-Dutch co-production Fish Tank and South Korean director Park Chan-wook's Thirst.
Actually, this wasn't all that unusual or surprising. There had been ties in Cannes' history before. Especially that year when Wong Kar-wai served as jury president he handed out no fewer than eleven Best Actor and Best Actress trophies in one go, turning it into a longstanding joke in the film world.
If a tie wasn't too outrageous, then the surprise win of Best Director by Filipino director Brillante Mendoza certainly exceeded everyone's expectations.
Brillante Mendoza was actually a regular at Cannes. Last year, he had made it into the competition section with his film The Service Hunk. This year, he entered again with his new film Kinatay, but the reception was abysmal it was unanimously considered the worst film in the competition lineup.
When the Filipino director took the stage to accept the award, a chorus of boos erupted from the press seats, making Mendoza visibly embarrassed.
Unlike the Oscars, the awards ceremony here wasn't dragged out or overly theatrical it moved at a brisk pace. Soon, only one suspense remained: the winner of the Palme d'Or.
Isabelle Huppert and French director Luc Besson stepped onto the stage together.
Natalie Portman first glanced at Isabelle Huppert, then turned to look at Duke's position, and finally fixed her gaze on The White Ribbon's director Michael Haneke. She was seventy percent sure that the Palme d'Or would go to the Austrian director.
The Palme d'Or was, without a doubt, the most prestigious award at the Cannes Film Festival.
On stage, Isabelle Huppert didn't waste a single word. Looking straight ahead, she directly announced, "The film that wins the Palme d'Or is…Fury Road!"
Applause erupted instantly, and in this awards ceremony filled with boos, it was a rare moment without jeering.
"Congratulations!"
Charlize Theron gave Duke a tight hug. Duke gently patted her back, then turned to embrace James Franco. The three of them were all that was left of the crew Tom Cruise had returned to the Mission: Impossible 4 set after the opening ceremony.
Natalie Portman watched Duke stride confidently toward the stage, unable to hide the disappointment in her eyes. But ultimately, she was a rational person and quickly forced herself to accept the reality.
Duke walked onto the stage, gently hugged Isabelle Huppert and Luc Besson, then received the Palme d'Or trophy from the latter.
Without a doubt, with two major awards under its belt,Fury Road became the biggest winner of this year's Cannes Film Festival.