Chivalry in Cannes is a live Twitter-based and blog-based report from Cannes with Chivas, Official Partner of the Cannes Film Festival. Each episode gives you an exclusive, insider’s view of Chivalry in Cannes and the world of film.

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Last month, the AFIF (Association du Festival International de Films) announced the Official Selection of films in competition at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. The prestigious Palme D’Or is the highest prize awarded to competing films, and to date, 19 films have been announced in competition for the top honour as well as several other official awards from various categories. Film by film, country by country, the cinematic line-up will span the globe with films from Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

The Cannes Film Festival also showcases Parallel Selections, which have historically featured globally-released, high-profile films and are non-competitive films to the otherwise more artistically-led Official Selection.

Prizes are awarded by the jury members, who will hold sole responsiblity for choosing the winning films. Each year, the Festival’s board of directors select prestigious jury members, comprised of A-list international artists, who are selected based on their body of work and in recognition of the respect they have cultivated within the industry. This year, US filmmaker Tim Burton has been selected as President of the Jury, overseeing the panel of nine cinema icons to decide the winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or for best film.

Fulfilling our hopes that Chivalry will be alive in Cannes in 2010, we at SQUA.RE were thrilled to discover through the recently announced 2010 selection that the screenings in Cannes will showcase not just a single Chivalrous value, but a rich combination of inspiring, moving, and exceptionally crafted films which illustrate the notion of Chivalry in all its different forms.

Below is a list of key picks from the main competition, value by value, as well as some insight into the festival’s high-profile opening film, Robin Hood.

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Integrity: “Biutiful“, by Alejandro González Inárritu (Spain/Mexico)

In this film by Mexican director Alejandro González Inárritu, a man involved in illegal drug dealing is confronted by his childhood friend, who is now a policeman. The storyline is based on notions of integrity and and how memories of childhood are perhaps bound to spark in us the most innocent ideals.

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Courage: “Fair Game“, by Doug Liman (United States)

‘The Bourne Identity”s director Doug Liman has produced an exceptional new drama featuring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. The film is based on the true story of a couple denouncing manipulation of intelligence by members of the US government before the invasion of Iraq: a groundbreaking portrayal of courage in the line of fire.

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Gallantry: “Certified Copy“, by Abbas Kiarostami (Italy/France/Iran)

In Italy to promote his latest book, a middle-aged English writer meets a young French woman and jets off to San Gimignano with her. Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami could win his second Palme D’Or with this inspiring tale of gallantry and romance featuring French icon Juliette Binoche.

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Brotherhood: “Of Gods and Men“, by Xavier Beauvois (France)

‘Of Gods and Men’ is the true story of the controversial assassination of Cistercian monks in Algeria in 1996, as they stood up for their beliefs when confronted by fundamentalists. Teaching literature to children under the guidance of their leader, played by French actor Lambert Wilson, the monks are highly respected by other communities, including the Muslims with whom they traditionally clash. With this film Xavier Beauvois makes his return to Cannes, offering a dramatic tale of brotherhood to the festival’s selection.

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Going Against the Crowd: “A Screaming Man“, by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad/France/Belgium)

The film recounts the story of a pool attendant and former swimming champion in Chad, Africa, who is forced to give up his job and is pressured into making a financial contribution to his country’s government. ‘A Screaming Man’ portrays the efforts of an unconventional hero to go against the crowd, in a country, Chad, which makes its official entrance to the competition this year, along with director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun.

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Chivalry: Opening Film “Robin Hood“, by Sir Ridley Scott (United States)

Needless to say, we are thrilled that the heroic and epic blockbuster ‘Robin Hood’ has been chosen as the Opening Film of this year’s festival, the very highest honour bestowed on a filmmaker and its cast for the Parallel Selection of films.

This film marks British director Ridley Scott and Oscar-winning Russel Crowe‘s first collaboration since ‘Gladiator‘, and brings to Cannes the legendary figure of Robin Hood, recounting his exploits in the army of Richard the Lion Heart fighting against the Norman invaders. The hero’s spirit of adventure and righteousness are the essence of Chivalry.

Films depict values, and great films tend to do so in a powerful, life-changing way. Certainly, the films in the official selection of the 63rd Cannes Film Festival are no exception. This promises to be a fascinating competition, and we look forward to seeing today’s best cinematic talents enjoy a moment of success on the world’s stage.

Share your thoughts with us on the Cannes 2010 selection and on Chivalry in Cannes.

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