Jane Fonda spoke out against pay inequality between men and women in the American film industry at the Cannes Film Festival. "Of course it upsets me that women are still earning 30 cents per dollar [Dh1 per Dh3.67] less than a man earns doing exactly the same work," she said. "It's unacceptable and it must change and ... we must be active in trying to create gender equity in terms of pay. The fact is that most film directors are men, white men. Most major roles are male roles. Women have to become part of the very heart of moviemaking." Fonda, who is starring in the Netflix TV series Grace and Frankie with Lily Tomlin, also appears in the film Youth, which is in competition at the festival. "That's another thing that's missing – is older women in the media," she added. On Sunday, Fonda was honoured by the festival and the luxury goods company Kering for her contribution to cinema at the "Women in Motion" programme, which recognises the work of women in film.
Tom Ford film sold for US$20m
Tom Ford's second film has been picked up by Focus Features in the biggest sale yet at this year's Cannes. Focus paid about US$20 million (Dh73.4m) for the worldwide rights to Ford's upcoming thriller Nocturnal Animals, starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal. It follows Ford's 2009 drama Single Man, which starred Colin Firth. Ford will write, direct and produce the film, based on the Austin Wright novel Tony and Susan. Focus chief executive Peter Schlessel described it as a "romantic tale of revenge and regret", it is the story of an art gallery owner haunted by her ex-husband's novel. Production is due to start in the autumn.
Premiere of Amy Winehouse documentary
Celebrity-worshipping Cannes got a sobering reminder of fame's dark side on Saturday with the world premiere of Amy, a powerful documentary about Amy Winehouse. "I don't think I'm going to be at all famous," a teenage Winehouse says in the film by British director Asif Kapadia. "I don't think I could handle it." Winehouse was a global celebrity when she died in July 2011 of accidental alcohol poisoning at the age of 27. The sense that the singer foresaw her fate lends extra poignancy to the film. Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, performed at a party before the premiere, along with jazz singer Gregory Porter and new artist Cosmina.
Mcconaughey’s film slammed and booed
Matthew McConaughey's remarkable comeback streak – the so called "McConaissance" – hit a bump at the premiere of Gus Van Sant's The Sea of Trees. The film, about two men (McConaughey and Ken Watanabe) who find each other in a Japanese "suicide forest", was greeted harshly by critics and loudly booed during screenings ahead of the film's official premiere. "Anyone has as much right to boo as they do to ovate," McConaughey said later.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attends UN panel discussion
Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hollywood actress Salma Hayek attended a UN women's panel discussion on gender equality at the festival on Saturday. Hosted by Variety magazine in association with UN Women, they were part of a panel that included US actress Parker Posey and producers Elizabeth Karlsen and Christine Vachon.
* AP and IANS
Michelle Rodriguez ruled the Mad Max: Fury Road red carpet
Furious 7 star Michelle Rodriguez ruled the Mad Max: Fury Road red carpet in a skin-skimming long-sleeved evening gown with floral paillette embroidery by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. She had stiff competition, though. The film's star, Charlize Theron, was a vision in a canary-yellow strapless Dior gown, while Chinese star Fan Bing Bing turned heads in a grey tulle gown by Marchesa, with billowing sleeves and flowing feather and crystal bouquets.
Salma Hayek disgusted at her own eating of the heart of a sea monster
In a movie filled with striking images, those of Salma Hayek eating the heart of a sea monster in Matteo Garrone's The Tale of Tales are hard to shake – especially for the actress. "Disgusting," she said after its festival screening. The film is based on the little-known 17th-century Neapolitan fairy tales of Giambattista Basile.
Isabella Rossellini says it’s been moving to see her late mother all over Cannes
Isabella Rossellini says it has been a moving experience to see her late mother all over Cannes. The actress-director is the daughter of Swedish screen legend Ingrid Bergman, whose face adorns the official poster for the 68th edition of the festival. A giant version of the image towers over the famous red-carpeted steps of Cannes’ Palais des Festivals.
* AP