This year’s Asian representation at Cannes was rather sparse. So, it comes as a surprise that three Asian films are nominated for the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize, the Palme D’or. Once, there was a Singaporean, a Chinese and a Filipino…Sounds like the makings of a bad joke. Anyway, there really WAS a Singaporean, a Chinese and a Filipino nominated for the top prize.

• Eric Khoo, Singapore, My Magic
• Jia Zhangke, China, 24 City
• Brillante Mendoza, Phillipines, Serbis

Each movie focuses on rather serious stories. An alcoholic magician connecting with his son (My Magic). A struggling rural family opening a prostitution service (Serbis). The effect of commercialism on factory workers in China (24 City). When will the world take the stories of our superheroes seriously? Iron Man, Hulk, your times will come. One day.

When I think of Cannes, I imagine open shirt collars, hairy chests and European producers looking to make a deal. I doubt they want to bring a movie on Asian factory workers back to their country. Instead, what Europe really needs is more Dolph Lundgren.

Three Asians compete for Cannes’ Palme d’Or [Indiantelevision.com]