Festival de Cannes : who will select films ?

The direction team of the festival de Cannes is in turmoil. Although the succession of president Viot should happen without any problems after the Festival 2000, as Gilles Jacob, the general delegate should take the presidency, it is not the case for the general delegate position. This is still a strategic position : the general delegate of the Festival is in charge of selecting movies. To takeover Gilles Jacob, a successor seemed designated. Olivier Barrot, who animates and produces literary broadcasts on France Television, presents some films with Pierre Tchernia on the satellite cabled channel Ciné Classic, had been in touch with the direction team in December.

But, a clash occurred, on April 18th, the day of the traditional press conference which reveals the selection and the composition of the jury. According to Olivier Barrot, his position of artistic adviser would have been suddenly stopped. Two weeks before the opening, the cinema is wondering. Who will takeover Gilles Jacob ? Two names, which were mentioned even before the outsider Olivier Barrot, are put forward : Jean-Michel Frodon, a film reviewer at "Le Monde" and Serge Toubiana, the former chief editor of the "Cahiers du Cinéma". Suspense…