Francis Ford Coppola Relents, Packs Tetro For Cannes

After loudly declining the Cannes Film Festival's invitation to premiere his new film Tetro out of competition, Francis Ford Coppola apparently decided that the Riviera might be nice this time of year. As such, he'll be on hand after all to open the fest's Director's Fortnight sidebar.

The May 14 world premiere promises one of the biggest Fortnight openers in years; the program is perhaps best known for European debuts of films that have already dazzled (or at least screened) elsewhere. Take Tetro's Fortnight peers Humpday, Amreeka and I Love You Phillip Morris for example, all of which bowed last January at Sundance (and the latter of which is still awaiting a U.S. distribution deal). If it was indie texture Coppola wanted, then that looks like what he'll get, though fellow competition alums Hong Sang-soo (Like You Know It All) and Pedro Costa (Ne change rien) will join him on the slate as well.

No word, meanwhile, on whether star Vincent Gallo's exile will be reversed in time to return to the festival that booed him out of town six years ago, but someone somewhere in Cannes must owe Coppola at least one favor. Best of luck to them!

· Coppola's 'Tetro' to open Fortnight [Variety]