The Future Today! Cannes Film Festival May 20 Report

Today's showings don't feature any Hollywood stars and paparazzi bonanzas, but that is probably a good thing. That gives us all time to focus on, and reflect upon, foreign and independent films. There are two films being screened today that are futuristic visions.
One film, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, is a Japanimation feature in which "the line between humans and machines has been blurred almost beyond distinction," according to the movie synopsis. The story follows cyborg Batou on his quest to recover memories of a woman. In competition, the film is showing at 11:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Cannes time. Don't miss About.com Anime Guide Katherine Luther's Ghost in the Shell Review for details about the first film in the series.
Another futuristic film being showcased today is 2046, a Chinese entry in which there is a train to the year 2046 which people use to go back to recapture lost memories. The film, in competition, shows at 7:30 p.m. today. Find out more at the movie's official site Read a review of the director's last film, In the Mood for Love, at the About.com World & Independent Film site.
As always, keep posted on the daily happenings at my Cannes Film Festival 2004 Coverage page.
Other films showing today are:

• Breaking News, directed by Johnnie To, out of competition, 2:30 p.m.
• Labyrinth Glauber, The Brazilian Movie, Silvio Tendler, out of competition, 7:30 p.m.
• Noite Escura, João Canijo, Un Certain Regard, 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Poids Leger, Jean-Pierre Ameris, Un Certain Regard, 2 and 10 p.m.
• Sword in the Moon, Eui-Suk Kim, Un Certain Regard, midnight
• Earth Entranced, Glauber Rocha, Cannes Classics, 10 p.m.
• Macanaima, Joaquim Pedro de Andrade, Cannes Classics, 5 p.m.