(from left) Javier Bardem, Terrence Malick and Ben Affleck discuss a scene while shooting in downtown Pawhuska in 2010.
When the lineup for the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival was announced Thursday, one film made news due to its absence.
Director Terrence Malick's film shot in the Bartlesville area in the fall of 2010 was not on the list.
Festival director Thierry Fremaux on Thursday said it had been hoped that the film — featuring stars Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem — would have its world premiere at Cannes, but the picture was not completed in time.
That news should be uplifting for Oklahomans who are curious about the picture, because it likely means that the reclusive director and his secretive film — which has no title and only a brief synopsis as a dramatic romance — may be ready for release later in 2012.
Also on the local level, a pair of recent University of Tulsa film studies graduates worked as production assistants on one of the in-competition films selected for the prestigious festival.
TU alumni John Lusby and Rosie Frihart were both members of the production crew for "Mud," a coming-of-age drama from director Jeff Nichols ("Take Shelter") that stars Reese Witherspoon, Matthew McConaughey and Michael Shannon.
"Mud" will compete against the festival's usual eclectic mix of motion pictures, which this year features several American influences.
These include "Moonrise Kingdom" (Wes Anderson's new comedy), "Killing Them Softly" (a crime film starring Brad Pitt) and "The Paperboy," directed by "Precious" filmmaker Lee Daniels.
The complete list of in-competition films at the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival, running May 16-27, including film name and director:
Opening night film: Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson
Competition:
Amour, Michael Haneke
The Angels' Share, Ken Loach
Baad el mawkeaa, Yousry Nasrallah
Beyond the Hills, Cristian Mungiu
Cosmopolis, David Cronenberg
Holy Motors, Leos Carax
The Hunt, Thomas Vinterberg
Killing Them Softly, Andrew Dominik
In Another Country, Hong Sang-soo
In the Fog, Sergei Loznitsa
Lawless, John Hillcoat
Like Someone in Love, Abbas Kiarostami
Mud, Jeff Nichols
On the Road, Walter Salles
The Paperboy, Lee Daniels
Paradies: Liebe, Ulrich Seidl
Post tenebras lux, Carlos Reygadas
Reality, Matteo Garrone
Rust and Bone, Jacques Audiard
Taste of Money, Im Sang-soo
You Haven't Seen Anything Yet, Alain Resnais
Closing night film: Therese D, Claude Miller
