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What is it about the Cannes Film Festival that the entire Indian film and fashion fraternity goes berserk about? Agreed that it is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals, but unfortunately it has been reduced to an elongated event devoid of major celebrities. Worse, Cannes opening events and showcase screenings have now become the sauntering joints of the had-beens rather than the now and present – leave the likes of Aishwarya Rai, who looks as dazzlingly stunning as possible. Talking about that, even the Indian representation slips in Cannes. Unlike last year, when the entire spotlight was on Slumdog Millionaire (which, anyway, was a Brit-flick), in the ongoing 63rd Cannes Film Festival, the tally of Indian films is less than impressive with Anurag Kashyap’s Udaan being the only ‘Official Selection’ in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ category at Cannes. However, other film festivals like the San Francisco International Film Festival (held in February 2010 with 12 Indian films participating), Belgrade International Film Festival (showcased Gulaal, Dev.D and Delhi 6), the Phuket Film Festival (to be held in June 2010 and will screen Harishchchandrachi Factory, 3 Idiots and Chandni Chowk to China), et al, are stealing the show. It’s time Cannes retrospects on whether the low attendance was because of the volcanic ash syndrome or because people simply have grown weary of the affair. For evidence, compare the high profile attendance at the opening ceremony of the Oscars with what happens here.




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