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| Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker and
Natalie Portman as Amidala in 20th Century Fox's Star Wars: Episode
III - Revenge of the Sith - 2005 | War,
murder and suicide were the themes at the Cannes Film Festival on
Wednesday, sounding a somber note on the first of 12 hectic days of
competition, deal making and showbusiness excess.
"Kilometer Zero," directed by Iraqi-born Hiner Saleem, was a numbing
portrayal of the horror of the country's war with neighboring Iran and the
seemingly unbridgeable divide
between its Kurdish and Arab populations that exists to this day.
As a Kurd who fled his country aged 17, Saleem points a mocking finger
at the brutal dictatorship of ousted leader Saddam Hussein, whose forces
are blamed for chemical weapons attacks against the Kurds and other
widespread abuses.
"Saddam is one of the film's main characters," Saleem said in his
production notes.
"His presence haunts the film with his giant roadside portraits, his
speeches on TV and radio, and above all, the imposing statue of him which
seems to follow the character of Ako during his entire voyage."
Earlier on Wednesday, "Lemming ," directed by France's
Dominik Moll and starring British actress Charlotte Rampling, told the
tale of two couples whose paths cross, causing their lives to spin quickly
out of control.
The films are among 21 entries in the main competition, and the
sun-kissed Riviera resort has been frantically preparing for the arrival
of thousands of fans, journalists and stars from around the world who have
come to see and be seen.
Hollywood royalty will grace the red carpet, and on Sunday the sixth
and final instalment of George Lucas's hugely successful "Star Wars"
series gets its world premiere.
(yahoo) | 
Updated: 2005-05-12 13:59
