Newcomers, Eastwood Vie At Cannes

Six newcomers will tussle for the top prize at Cannes this year against veteran directors like Clint Eastwood, who returns to the French Riviera film festival after a nine-year absence.

Organizers presented the official selection on Wednesday, which included Cannes perennial Lars Von Trier, the Dane whose latest movie "Dogville," starring Nicole Kidman, is among 20 films competing for the prestigious Palme D'Or.

"Fanfan la Tulipe," a remake of the 1953 hit of the same name starring Penelope Cruz, will kick off the two-week confab of glitz, art, dealmaking and partying. A digitally restored version of Charlie Chaplin's 1936 classic "Modern Times" will close the festival.

Among U.S. entries, Eastwood will present crime drama "Mystic River," starring Sean Penn, along with two festival newcomers — Gus Van Sant with "Elephant" and Vincent Gallo with "The Brown Bunny."

Eastwood's last appearance at Cannes was in 1994, when he was president of the jury.

Other directors making their Cannes debuts are China's Lu Ye ("Purple Butterfly"), Kiyoshi Kurosawa ("Akarui Mirai") and Naomi Kawase ("Shara") of Japan, and Turkey's Nuri Bilge Ceylan ("Uzak").

Thirteen countries are represented at the competition.

Also on the slate is Canadian Denys Arcand's "Les Invasions Barbares" about a group of Quebec intellectuals. Italy's Pupi Avati presents "Il Cuore Altrove," a period piece on life in Italy during the 1930s.

Zany British filmmaker Peter Greenaway will be on hand with "The Moab Story/The Tulse Luper Suitcases — Part I." And Chile's Raoul Ruiz is to return with "Ce Jour La," set in Switzerland.

Brazil's Hector Babenco explores life in Brazil's prisons with his "Carandiru," while 23-year-old Iranian filmmaker Samira Makhmalbaf will be competing in Cannes for a second straight year.

Russia's Alexandre Sokorov will be back with "Father and Son."

Appearing out of competition is the much-awaited sequel "Matrix Reloaded" by American brothers Andy and Larry Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves. Organizers said its entire cast will travel to Cannes.

Organizers denied speculation that U.S. artists planned to boycott the festival because of France's staunch opposition to the war in Iraq, saying that, in fact, more Americans were expected than last year.

"Relations between the two (countries') cinemas isn't affected" by the spat over Iraq, which has soured ties between Washington and Paris, said festival president Gilles Jacob.

Five French films are in the competition: "Les Cotelettes" by Bertrand Blier; "La Petite Lili" by Claude Miller; "Swimming Pool" by Francois Ozon; "Les Egares" by Andre Techine; and "Tiresia" by Bertrand Bonello.

This year, stargazers will also be treated to appearances by Hollywood stars Kidman, Penn, James Caan, and Meg Ryan — who is on the nine-member jury presided over by French director Patrice Chereau.

Organizers said Cannes officials viewed nearly 2,500 movies before selecting the 20 in competition, 10 percent more than last year, making this year's selection particularly difficult.

The 56th Cannes Film festival from May 14-25 will also honor to legendary French actress Jeanne Moreau and the late Italian director Federico Fellini.
By Kim Housego