New skill sets.

After setting up this blog in haste, and then setting aside the login details, and then freaking out all weekend in an attempt to figure them out/get them back, well, here I am. I imagine my ineptitude in this respect must have something to do with my having a "print mentality."

Ahem.

I'll be posting like mad shortly, as this blog will be one of possibly several outlets for which I'll be covering Cannes. The reorganization of staff at Premiere coming at this particular time put even more of a whammy on my head than it might have otherwise, but I thought I'd best get myself out there anyway. Stay in the game, as it were (Jeff Wells will be proud of me, I trust), although what I'd like more than anything at the moment is a bit of a rest. I'll give it to myself soon enough. But for now, keep watching.

First, though, I post to thank everyone who rang in with compliments, concern, and coverage in the wake of my termination. I felt a little like Tom Sawyer at his own funeral...except far more moved, and incredibly grateful. The comments thread on my penultimate post at the Premiere blog "In The Company of Glenn" (whose archives I hope to move here in the near future) not only brought tears to my eyes, it helped clarify some issues for my own self, and steel some resolve. And the kind words I've received in e-mails have also been more than encouraging. I'm particularly grateful for the concern evinced by a couple of people to whom I actually haven't been at all kind to in the polemic heat of the battling blogosphere. To say I'm blown away is an understatement. I only hope that in my lifetime I can be even half as gracious as these folks have been to me.

Here is a screen cap that's part of a project that would have been a massive pre-Cannes post but is gonna have to wait. Some of you might guess the film. And some might be able to guess the project, which as it happens pertains to a work of literature rather than celluloid. It'll get done. There's quite a bit left to be done.

Comments

[Jer]

Fellow writer here.
Offering support and solidarity.
Go get 'em!
-Jerry Weinstein
JackMyers Media Business Report
Editor-at-Large

[Tom Carson]

I'd have posted by now just to say "more power to you, GK" if I hadn't had my own problems figuring out Typepad's arcana. Now I wonder if you share my hunch we'd all be looking forward to Cannes even more eagerly if only Eastwood was directing Scarlett getting it on with Penelope and Woody was the one trembling before Angelina.

As for the Soderbergh, I admit I'd be a hell of a lot more cheerful going in if it was called "Cher" and not "Che." But no one remembers Cher Guevara, the only performance artist to sing "Believe" while shooting random members of the audience out of hand.

[Aaron Hillis]

You say it's literary, but I have my own interpretation apropos of you:

Is yr project about artistic works whose creators have been wrongly fired? I don't remember that specific shot, but I do recall the butterfly in Number 3's rifle scope view in "Branded to Kill," a film that got Seijun Suzuki canned by Nikkatsu for being too audacious.

Kick that cannes two times for me, GK.

[Kyle Smith]

Aaron, you beat me to it! I saw that one years ago and was completely unprepared for it and have wanted to revisit it for some time now, especially after having recently seen and going head over heels for Youth of the Beast. I think I just found my Sunday evening plan. Cheers for the suggestion, Glenn!

And I must chime in as well and say "good on ya'" for getting this new blog going so fast (and I'm particularly happy that this is the one Typepad blog that isn't blocked by my office's internet filter). How ridiculous of Premiere! I've only recently discovered your writing, but became a fan instantaneously. Oh well, I know you'll find a place who appreciates quality film writing soon enough. Keep up the good work, mate!

[Norm Wilner]

So, hang on, I'm confused -- are you still going to Cannes? Should I save you a seat at the Despleschin screening? Because I would totally do that for you.

[Glenn Kenny]

Oh, I'm going to Cannes all right. At the moment I'm hoping the weather won't hold up my flight...

[Sam Adams]

Funny -- I was reading "Zeroville" on vacation and thinking how much I'd like to go back through the book and do a concordance of my own, not unlike the "Pierrot" reference on a certain late, lamented blog. I look forward to the devil-porn screen caps.

Also, since I've been out of the country, belated condolences on the ex-gig. They don't deserve you, &c.

[Dan]

Heh, I remember hating "Branded To Kill" with a burning passion when I saw it. I might toss it on the Netflix queue to see if anything's changed. I'll admit to a great love of its unofficial remake, though.