Ervin’s

The infectious, soul-funk silhouetted opening credit sequence hits you like a party brick soaked in vodka slush. It’s like entering a retro club after a couple of drinks and catching that groove. Next thing you know, you’re on the dance floor doing moves that will shock your mother.

That’s literally 30 seconds into the movie (well, it did it for me anyway). But the opening sequence sets up this grubby-looking comedy perfectly. Accompanied by an awesome 70s funk soundtrack, this movie about 3 teens trying to swindle booze to a party in the illusory hope that hotties will fornicate with them is 2 hours of rapid fire, gut-busting laughs.

And the profanity. They really start ‘em young in America. If high-schoolers in Singapore talk like those in the movie the government would instate martial law. Forget Amercian Pie. Superbad is hardcore, and all the better for it.

But it’s also honest and sweet in a quirky way, a credit to the trio of actors (one’s 24, one’s 19 and one’s still in high school – let you figure it out when you see the movie) who play the sad, beautiful losers. While American Pie imagines the perfect boys’ summer, Superbad creates the worst possible night but manages to find more heart in it than the former could conjure.

If anything else, this one name alone is worth your ticket: McLovin. God knows where they dug up this 4-eyed creature, but man did he steal the show.

The great thing about Superbad is that as long as high school and adolescent men trying to get laid exist, this dirty movie will save any party.

Go see it.

Superbad Uncut Trailer. Come Get some.

Another Cannes market, another feeling of having ate too much gluten and cheese for the last 5 days. And not enough alcohol.

This year the drinking sessions were cut back from the decadence of 2006 when I was drunk almost every night and actually woke up still in my suit one morning. This time, some of the guys actually had to pass on the drinks due to late meetings and working dinners. Oh well, we all have to start acting like adults sometime I guess

One night we did have drinks at the Grand Hotel (which is kind of an unofficial nightly drinks venue for delegates. See 3rd pic) with some industry friends, and a few of us ended up sharing photos of our cats like they were our children. I’m not sure if that’s very French, but it’s definitely not very straight (note to self). Oh, and not for the first time a lady was convinced that my cat is in fact a dog.

Another reason for less partying this year was probably the depleted stamina at the end of each day. This market was tiring if anything, as I had to do all the talking at meetings since my usual sidekick is not around.

The meetings in the room were fine, but it was a Herculean task to focus on meetings outside in the open, what with the opposite Wicked Pictures booth blasting out their hardcore pornography on a 36 inch (insert lewd pun) LCD. I’m talking XXX, girl-on-boy-on-girl stuff. In other words – quality television.

Conversation I had with Carmen Hart the lovely adult actress (she’s the Girl in 6C), who it appears don’t just make adult movies, but also doubles up as receptionist at the Wicked booth:

Carmen: So what happens if you get caught with porn DVDs in Singapore?

Ervin: I think it depends on where they catch you.

Carmen: (raises eyebrows in curiosity)

Ervin: Erm…if you get caught at customs, they’ll just confiscate it. If you get   caught elsewhere, or downloading it, they’ll still confiscate it and maybe make an example out of you.

Carmen: Make an example? How??

Ervin: They might go public with you, in the press and news…

Carmen: That’s terrible!

Ervin: Yes it is (I wanted to tear out my MDA badge, chew it and spit it out, because Carmen thinks it’s terrible. I would have offered a hug but she was clearly not distressed, merely surprised)

Carmen: (smiling again) Well, you better have your fill while you’re here!

I had to leave before the whole situation – talking to a porn star who is on TV in the background having a threesome with two girls on the bonnet of a police car – gives my nose a hemorrhage.

Sadly, Carmen did not return on the last day and I was devastatingly deprived of a photo op before I leave. So here’s a googled picture of the wholesome goodness that is Carmen Hart, immortalised on this blog:

All in all, this was a good market. While the parties never got too wild, I met some interesting people and companies that perhaps wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t gone solo this time. Ultimately, that’s the pleasure of MIPTV and MIPCOM. Sure, it’s a torturous 16 hour flight, accommodation is never swanky, days are long and you invariably meet the odd weirdo who thinks he’s got the next big animation hit and has vaguely heard of a character called SpongeBob. But you also get to see some great content, catch up with friends and meet new, interesting people. The great weather and food don’t hurt, and neither does Carmen.

Actually I’m not sure about that last bit, based on what I’ve seen in the Wicked Pictures screener…

The cat was ready to stick it out 16 hours in the luggage to see France for the first time but Ervin would have none of it.

I don’t think the human mind (not mine at least) is wired to think ahead and decide what the body is going to wear for the next 7 days in advance. On top of that, colours have to match, configurations have to be ready for every possible occasion that might present itself and of course one hopes to avoid attention from the fashion police as best as possible, especially since the destination is a resort town in the south of France.

That said, my luggage for the twice-a-year trip to Cannes has lightened considerably over the last few years. I’m also able to keep packing down to within an hour, leaving time to update my iPod’s playlists for the testing 16 hour trip.

So here I am, at Cannes again for MIPCOM and struggling with jetlag. It’s Sunday and the weather looks gorgeous, though probably a tad chilly for the beach nudists more often seen during Spring’s MIPTV. Still, what’s life without hope?

More updates over the next few days.

Village Croisette – apartment includes the usual horde of drunks and crackpots partying away till the wee hours at the bars below.