Cannes Report, Day 1: 'Sea of Trees' With Matthew McConaughey Sold; Coen Brothers, Sienna Miller Arrive for Jury Duty

The A-list parade of Cannes 2015 stars will feature Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Rooney Mara, Emily Blunt and Colin Farrell lighting up the French Riviera, but first thing’s first: jury duty.

The 68th Cannes Film Festival jury gathered for a conference off the Croisette on Wednesday afternoon to discuss first timers, film selections and their relationships with critics, as acting legend Ingrid Bergman loomed over the panel on a projected poster.

Jake Gyllenhaal, Sophie Marceau, Rokia Traore, Sienna Miller and Rossy De Palma, Guillermo Del Toro and jury presidents Ethan Coen and Joel Coen smiled against a backdrop of overcast skies before taking questions from the press.

Also Read: 5 Things to Expect at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival

“Ingrid Bergman represents us all as actors,” said “American Sniper” star Miller, who is a Cannes newcomer. The Coen brothers, top of the food chain when it comes to handing out prizes to the fest’s best films, talked about their personal relationship with movie critics. Or did not, it turns out, as Joel said “that’s a subject I’d rather personally not get into.”

#Conference JURY #Cannes2015 pic.twitter.com/cOTivChynx

- Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 13, 2015

Opening Night
Emmanuelle Bercot’s “La Tete Haute” stars French movie icon Catherine Deneuve, and is already receiving universal praise for breakout actor Rod Paradot, who plays a young delinquent mentored by a judge (Deneuve).

Films screening for competition include the Japanese manga “Umimachi Diary” and the ensemble “The Tale of Tales,” which stars Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, John C. Riley and Toby Jones. Based on the short stories of Giambattista Basile, the film made waves in late April when still and a teaser clip touted gorgeous but gory imagery.

Also Read: Cannes 2015: Wrap Critic Alonso Duralde Previews This Year's Auteur Battle on the Croisette

Cannes Deals of Day
Gus Van Sant’s “The Sea of Trees” has been acquired by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. A Palme d’Or contender, “Trees” follows Arthur Brennan (Matthew McConaughey) on a journey into Aokigahara, a mysterious forest at the base of Japan’s Mount Fuji where people go to contemplate life and death.

The Orchard has acquired Ross Partridge’s “Lamb,” a SXSW title about “a man who forms a bond with a young girl (newcomer Oona Laurence) and coaxes her into joining him for a week at his rural hideaway.” Eyeing an early 2106 release, the film counts producers Mel Eslyn and Taylor Williams and executive producers Partridge and William Ruch. The deal was negotiated by The Orchard’s Danielle DiGiacomo and ICM Partners.

Also Read: Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman Movie 'Genius' Sells to Lionsgate at Cannes

19 Cannes Movies On the Radar: Hot Titles, Must-See Picks (Photos)

"Carol," directed by Todd Haynes. Set in 1950s New York, a department store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman. With Cate Blanchett, Kyle Chandler and Rooney Mara.
Number 9 Films
"Chronic," directed by Michel Franco. The movie is about a home care nurse who works with terminally ill patients. With Tim Roth and Claire van der Boom.
Stromboli Films
"The Assassin," directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien. The martial arts film is set during China's Tang Dynasty period.
Well Go USA Entertainment
"Macbeth," directed by Justin Kurzel. The movie, based on Shakespeare's play of the same name, stars Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard and Sean Harris.
See-Saw Films
"The Lobster," directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. In a dystopian near future, single people are obliged to find a matching mate in 45 days or are transformed into animals and released into the woods. Starring Rachel Weisz and Colin Farrell.
BFI Film Fund
"Youth," directed by Paolo Sorrentino. A retired orchestra conductor is on holiday with his daughter and her friend in the Alps when he receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform for Prince Philip's birthday. With Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano and Jane Fonda.
Indigo Film
"Louder than Bombs," directed Joachim Trier. While the plot remains undisclosed, the cast includes Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne, Isabelle Huppert, David Strathairn and Amy Ryan.
Motlys
"The Sea of Trees," directed by Gus Van Sant. A suicidal American befriends a Japanese man lost in a forest near Mt. Fuji and the two search for a way out. The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Naomi Watts and Jordan Gavaris.
Bloom
"Sicario," directed by Denis Villeneuve. A young female FBI agent joins a secret CIA operation to take down a Mexican cartel boss, a job that ends up pushing her ethical and moral values to the limit. The movie stars Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro.
Black Label Media
"Son of Saul," directed by Laszlo Nemes. During the Holocaust a prisoner is forced to burn the corpses of his own people, but finds moral salvation upon trying to salvage from the flames the body of a boy he takes for his son.
Laokoon Filmgroup
"La Tête Haute," directed by Emmanulle Bercot. A coming-of-age story, it features stars like Sara Forestier and Catherine Deneuve.
France 2 Cinema
"Irrational Man," directed by Woody Allen. The movie is about a tormented philosophy professor who finds a will to live when he commits an existential act. It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Parker Posey.
Gravier Productions
"Love," directed by Gaspar Noe. The film is making waves in Cannes with its raunchy posters, touting a sensual 3D experience about "a boy and a girl and another girl." It stars Karl Glusman, Aomi Muyock and Klara Kristin.
Les Cinemas de la Zone
"A Tale of Love and Darkness," directed by Natalie Portman. Starring and making her directorial debut, Portman's story tells of Amos Oz, a writer, journalist and advocate of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Handsomecharlie Films
"Cemetery of Splendor," directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The film is an Un Certain Regard title about a group of soldiers who suffer a mysterious sleep sickness in Thailand.
Kick the Machine
"Arabian Nights," directed by Miguel Gomes. Clocking in at six hours, the film is billed as an exploration of modern Portugal through fairytale tropes.
O Som e a Furia
“Green Room,” directed by Jeremy Saulnier. This American entry is a racially-charged crime thriller starring Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat and Patrick Stewart.
Broad Green Pictures
“Meditrranea,” directed by Jonas Carpignano. The film is a harrowing story of a Burkinabe man who sacrifices for a better life in Italy, only to be met with intolerance.
Audax Films
"Amy," directed by Asif Kapadia. Easily one of Cannes' buzziest titles, the documentary chronicles the life of troubled British soul singer Amy Winehouse.
Krishwerkz Entertainment

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Cannes 2015: From Gus Van Sant’s “Sea of Trees” starring Matthew McConaughey to Natalie Portman’s directorial debut, “A Tale of Love and Darkness”

"Carol," directed by Todd Haynes. Set in 1950s New York, a department store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman. With Cate Blanchett, Kyle Chandler and Rooney Mara.

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