Variety on KotFM in Cannes

[arnzilla]

variety.com/2023/film/global/martin-scorsese-killers-of-the-flower-moon-leonardo-dicaprio-cannes-film-festival-1235532081/

Thierry Fremaux, Cannes’ director, is preparing a massive 2023 edition and traveled to L.A. earlier this month to screen Scorsese’s movie and discuss other potential Hollywood titles.

An earlier report on Showbiz 411 suggested that if Scorsese wants to head to Cannes, he’ll need to trim the film’s three hour-plus running time. But insiders say that no such cuts will be necessary. Other films have debuted with hefty lengths without issue, they note.

[arnzilla]

variety.com/2023/film/global/cannes-film-festival-lineup-2023-full-list-1235581154/

"Killers of the Flower Moon,” a nearly-$200 million historical drama that examines the serial murders of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation, will play out of competition. Frémaux said he tried and failed to convince Scorsese to vie for the Palme d’Or but hasn’t given up on hopes. The premiere will be among the most A-list heavy, as the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, and Brendan Fraser, along with newcomer Lily Gladstone.

[arnzilla]

www.worldofreel.com/blog/2023/4/15oyrdb28wp2py9ztp2vwfl6six8zt

It’s not a done deal that Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” will play out of competition.

At today’s press conference, Cannes boss Thierry Frémaux reiterated his desire to have Scorsese’s film play in competition, but added that he’s waiting on Scorsese and Apple to give him the go-ahead.

I imagine this is a diplomatic way for Frémaux to both flatter and pressure Scorsese/Apple by suggesting that the film is competition-worthy.

I don't know who Frémaux is expecting an answer from. He explained that he made the request, obviously Scorsese was informed of it and does not seem opposed to it. So, is the ball on Apple’s court?

Even yesterday, when interviewed by France Inter, Frémaux said he did not to know if it would be in competition for the Palme d’Or.

The wait could also have to do with there being, possibly, two late additions to the comp lineup. As of now, we only have three French films in there, the quota is four. The odds-on favorites right now seem to be Bruno Dumont, Ladj Ly and Valerie Donzelli.

[arnzilla]

www.screendaily.com/news/the-hardest-thing-is-to-say-no-thierry-fremauxs-hot-take-on-cannes-2023s-still-evolving-selection-process/5181046.article

What was the last film you saw that made you cry?

Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon. It is an extremely strong film.

You seemed to hint that the film could still end up in competition. Is this a possibility?

Technically and to commend Apple’s decision to release the film in theatres even though the film was selected out of competition, I extended the option for it to be in competition. I invited Marty’s film to premiere out of competition since it was a film for a platform, that was already fantastic. Then Apple said that they would release the film in theatres which was also fantastic. So I said, well in that case, you are welcome in competition, and now we’ll see what their response is.

I’ll respect the decision of Martin Scorsese and of Apple.

[arnzilla]

variety.com/2023/film/global/thierry-fremaux-cannes-lineup-martin-scorsese-jonathan-glazer-maiwenn-1235582640/

Not every one has Apple’s resources. Speaking of which, do you think Scorsese’s movie could be bumped to the competition?

When we saw the film back in November and when we invited it, it was an Apple movie. The situation has changed now that Apple has announced that it will be released in theaters everywhere, including in France, on Oct. 19. That means it qualifies for the Cannes competition since, as you know, all films competing must have a theatrical release. So I told Apple and Martin Scorsese that considering how great the movie is, it’s obviously invited in competition. And now I’m waiting to hear their decision. We have until the last minute.

Don’t you think Scorsese is too much of a legend to compete at Cannes?

That’s very interesting because when Fellini won the Palme d’Or for “La Dolce Vita,” he said “I’m not coming back in competition,” and Marty won the Palme d’Or in 1976. So obviously one could say, he doesn’t have much to gain considering his prestigious status. Expect one thing: the Palme d’Or. I think he should come in competition.

The movie is 3 hours and 45 minutes long, do you think the length could be an issue?

I don’t know what the final length is, but let’s say that for me it’s not an issue. All I know is that it’s only five minutes more than “Once Upon a Time in America.”

[arnzilla]

deadline.com/2023/04/cannes-lineup-scorsese-killers-flower-moon-idol-hbo-weeknd-netflix-1235324253/

As it stands, Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon will play Out Of Competition. However, Thierry Frémaux spelled out that he has been trying to convince Apple and Scorsese that their film should play in Competition. So far, the Moon is not for turning. The conversation is ongoing, so things could change — there is still space in the Competition. So what’s the issue? It was a real coup for the festival to get the Apple movie, which is one of the streamer’s most expensive and prestige projects to date. But having committed such a prized asset, it’s possible the studio and/or creatives don’t want their project [which has a similarly epic run time as The Irishman] subjected to the slings and arrows of a jury or for it to be deemed ‘tarnished’ in any way if it wasn’t to win. There’s precedent for that thinking among studios and even among some directors. With a budget reportedly in the region of $200M, there’s a fair amount riding on this one and Cannes is only the movie’s first step after all. You can read more about Scorsese’s inclusion here in our in-depth interview with Frémaux.

[nas78]

Palme d'Or is the most important film award in the world. Marty should compete for a 2nd one.

[nas78]

Apple`s (or Marty`s?) decision to submit the film out of competition was a huge mistake.
Marty lost a unique chance to enter a select club of double Palme d'Or winners.
If they were afraid of the competition then they shouldn`t submit the film for the Oscars either.

I`m sure they regret this decision now...

[arnzilla]

Asked by AFP why he had ultimately opted for an out-of-competition slot, Scorsese said with a laugh: "It's time for others. I got to go. There are kids around."

"I like the golden statues. I like them very much," he added. "But now I think of time and energy and inspiration -- that's the most important thing."

[gabriel]

Exactly. Many people made it look like it was too risky a move to compete (in case they lost), which is what makes good headlines... The truth, as spoken by the man himself, is he wants to step aside in order for the new directors to have their chance to win. He won his own one as a young filmmaker. It's called generosity of spirit, but that doesn't make for catchy headlines. I'm sure he's NOT disappointed, but happy for Triet in this case instead. The Oscars, on the other hand, are completely a studio business affair.