Viggo Mortenson, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Oh My!

Wednesday, May 18

This morning we woke up a little late in hopes to catch up on some sleep that we have been missing with late night premieres. We made plans to see current Cannes favorite 'Toni Erdmann' and potentially Robert De Niro in 'Hands of Stone'.

I'll described our small apartment to you so you understand what I'm waking up to each morning. I love it in a the-wifi-doesn't-work kind of way. We have a bathroom, a hallway (hallway is a generous term here) and a living room/mini kitchen. Outside is balcony that overlooks the street.

The hallway contains a closet and a stack of bunkbeds which we deemed uncomfortable on Day One. Since then, we have taken our sectional sofa and turned them into very creative beds. The blankets might have been given out for smallpox once but we love them anyway.

If you go out on the balcony, you will 99% of the time see our only neighbor: Crewneck. He is quite the character. Crewneck, in case you were wondering, got his name because he only wears crewneck t shirts (mostly striped - viva la France), and does absolutely nothing but smoke two hundred packs of cigarettes a day. It's almost impressive how he is always there, trusted white stick between two fingers and glaring look on his face. Endearing even.

He cannot have a job. If he has a job, then I'm going to look for employment in France because the qualifications must include "good at standing" and "doing whatever you want, whenever you want." I think I could be pretty good at that.

We're just close enough to be able to see into his apartment which consists of a drying rack for clothes and a bed frame. I'd just like to clarify that there is no bed inside the frame.

Just good old Crewneck who I have seen out on his patio smoking at the following times of day: 8:30 AM, lunch time, 6 PM, and 1AM. What a champion. He's really committed to his lifestyle.

Back to Cannes:

After getting lunch at our favorite cafe, we headed to the Hotel Estrel to meet with some of the powerhouse women behind Refinery 29.

The rooftop patio and sunroof proved for spectacular sightseeing before the two speakers got there.

These women are powerhouses! They spoke to us about selling yourselves and talked about empowering women behind the camera in the film industry. After producing videos featuring Chloe Sevigny, Kristen Stewart, and Lena Dunham, the women spoke about how important it is to be yourself and stick up for yourself in an industry that is just now starting to look at women's equality in the film industry (we've got a long way to go, don't be fooled).

After taking a few pictures and speaking to them briefly, we left to go walk around and grab a bite to eat before the much anticipated Captain Fantastic by Matt Ross.

Before we go any further, I know what you're thinking. You're sitting there on your iPhone or laptop thinking "She's already said two films are very important. She must be exaggerating. She must also think every Disney Channel Original Movie before the year 2007 was important."

To that I say yes. You are definitely right. But hear me out people. I think Captain Fantastic made some serious waves. It was smart, edgy, funny, heartbreaking, and the original score is the first thing I've considered buying on iTunes since the ninth grade.

Viggo Mortenson as the father of a unique, self sustaining family living solely in the woods is a triumph. He is hard and strict, but he is warm and loving. He looks out for the children but understands his flaws. He has them describe their feelings and he doesn't allow the word 'interesting'. Explain it, he pushes.

Disclaimer: this is a pretty kale-loving, fresh juice pressing film. It's not extreme, but it's liberal. References to 'Lolita', countless philosophers, and intellectual thought are all referenced. Read up, people.

Breakout performances were made by all of the children actors, particularly George MacKay who played the eldest son. I am telling you that every minute of this film was enjoyable. It moved along nicely and had some of the most intimate moments on film.

How do I convince you to see this? Just do it. Look up the trailer here and leave me a comment on what you think. I'd watch this four more times this week. I know there were so many things I missed, but the intellectual humor and literary references throughout the film are not to be undervalued. This film needs 3 watchings.

If you are lucky enough to see it in a theater, do it. The magnitude of the Pacific Northwest mountains aren't going to be the same on a small screen.

When it was over, the crowd gave a fifteen minute standing ovation. Cannes did that. The same audience that openly booed Kristen Stewart's joke of a thriller Personal Shopper.

As an added bonus, close friend of Mortenson's Orlando Bloom made his way into the premiere alongside girlfriend Katy Perry. Bizarre, isn't it? I'll forever see him as a very cute and somehow unusually clean elf in Lord of the Rings.

I'm looking forward to female powerhouse director Andrea Arnold's American Honey, but Captain Fantastic is in a league of its own.

Happy viewing!