India missing from this year`s Cannes hopefuls

Paris, April 07: Although the official line-up for the 62nd Cannes Film Festival will be announced here later this month, Indian entries are missing from the list of this year`s Cannes probables. The Indian flavour permeated this year`s Academy awards with `Slumdog Millionaire` winning eight Oscars and documentary `Smile Pinki` bagging another trophy but there seems to be no buzz about the Indian presence in the festival, which begins on May 13.

The two main attractions at this year`s festival would be Quentin Tarantino`s `Inglorious Basterds` and Terry Gilliam`s `The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,` the last film of late Heath Ledger, both being strong contenders for the prestigious Golden Palm Award, the top prize at the festival. Gilliam, who will be competing at the festival after over a decade, is likely to bring along with him the stars of the film -- Johnny Depp and Jude Law. Both actors have played different parts that Ledger would have if he was alive. The other festival pets, likely to troop into the French Riviera are -- Spanish master Pedro Almodovar with his `Broken Embraces`, Danish director Lars von Trier, who could debut his genre-tinged `Antichrist`. Another Croisette (the Cannes beach front) favourite Ang Lee`s period canvas `Taking Woodstock` is expected to be a part of the festival if it finishes on time. Todd Solondz`s `Forgiveness` also has an excellent chance at the festival if it is completed on time. Bureau Report