Wong Kar Wai’s first English language feature, My Blueberry Nights, has just been announced as the Opening Night Film of the 60th Cannes Film Festival on May 16th. The screening will be the World Premiere of the romantic drama starring Norah Jones, Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman. The selection marks the first time in Cannes history that a film by a Chinese director has kicked off the Festival.
Jeremy (Jude Law) runs a small caf in New York. Every evening, Elizabeth (singer Norah Jones, in her acting debut) comes in and orders a slice of blueberry pie and gazes out the window. One night, she tells Jeremy her story: a man she thought she could never live without has left her. After that, Elizabeth disappears.
Jeremy the discovers that Elizabeth has left town and set off on a long journey towards a new beginning. Along the way, she befriends various people (played by David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman, among others) with dilemmas of their own.
Shot across the United States in New York, Memphis, Nevada and along the legendary Route 66, the film is an intimate tale of love and self-discovery that features Wongs trademark visual flair and colourful characters.
Wong Kar Wai, who served as the president of the jury last year, returns to Cannes to be part of the Opening Night festivities for its 60th anniversary.
Wong Kar Wai is an award-winning writer/director whose unique style has influenced a generation of filmmakers. His acclaimed work includes the art house hits “In the Mood for Love,” “Happy Together” (which earned him the Best Director Award at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival), “Chungking Express,” and “2046.”
MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS is a Block 2 Pictures presentation of a Jet Tone Films Production. The screenplay, based on a story by Wong Kar Wai, was written by Wong and Lawrence Block. The Director of Photography is Darius Khondji and the Production Designer and Editor is William Chang.
