The festival began in true French Riviera style: a gorgeous, warm sunny day and a train strike. So, new? Everyone seemed to be just getting their bearings today, especially me, but it looks like an exciting line-up of films. The opening night film “My Blueberry Nights” of Wong Kar Wai did not get particularly good buzz despite the presence of jazzwoman Norah Jones and heartthrob Jude Law.

Speaking of directors with three short vowel-ridden names, what struck me about this year’s filmmakers is the strong presence from Asia. China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Korea have sent quite a number of films in competition and out-of-competition. Others of the non-Western European persuasion include Christian Mungiu of Romania, Carlos Reygadas of Mexico, Fatih Akin of Turkey, Bela Tarr of Hungary and Alexander Sokurov of Russia. I am most abashed to see Kadri Kousaar, a 27-year-old (27!) from Estonia showing a film in the “Un Certain Regard” category.

I’m trying to get my priorities in order by reading the daily Variety-Cannes edition for the scoop on notable movies. I’m stoked. Even the background details read like poetry. Check this out:

Fay Grimm US Germany a
Magnolia Pictures
release in US of an
HdNet Films
presentation of a
Possible Films
production in association with
This Is That and
Zero Fiction
with the support of
Medienboard Berlin
Brandenburg.

(only the punctuation has been changed)

Could the film be as cool as the production credits?

Inquiring minds want to know.