Cannes Classics: "Man of Cinema: Pierre Rissient"

Following the opening presentations, the films screening this evening under the umbrella of Cannes Classics include the restored copy of Donne-moi tes yeux by Sacha Guitry and Brando, a documentary by Leslie Greif and Mimi Freedman that looks back on the actor's enigmatic and incomparable career.

Today Cannes Classics - a sidebar dedicated to the heritage of film classics - honored Pierre Rissient, a personality hardly known but who had a great influence on international cinema. The documentary Man of Cinema: Pierre Rissient by Todd McCarthy - critic and American historian - presented this man who was at once a director, producer and talent scout, sought out for his advice by many a big director and festival organizer. He was a major personality behind the scenes of the Cannes Festival during over 40 years and brought into the limelight the likes of Clint Eastwood and his talent as a director and Jane Campion. Present for the documentary screening this evening, Pierre Rissient declared: "You have to always be thinking ahead, challenge what we think we know already and go after those cinematic treasures." Cannes President Gilles Jacob rewarded him with a medal of the 60th edition.