‘Blindness’ Cannes Film Festival Opener?

Fernando Meirelles' drama-thriller about a city succumbing to a blindness epidemic. ‘Blindness‘ stars Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo is being eyed to open the Cannes Film Festival, while ‘Hunger,' from Brit director Steve McQueen, is the leading candidate to kick off Un Certain Regard. The source of many press reports identify ‘Blindness' as the May 14 Cannes opener. According to Variety, Cannes declined to comment on the rumors regarding ‘Blindness.' More than one option Meirelles' pic was one of the most glaring absences from the Official Selection lineup unveiled by delegate general Thierry Fremaux last Wednesday. Fremaux's announcement left both opening and closing film slots open. Steve McQueen's ‘Hunger' appears clearer. McQueen's feature debut is strongly expected to open Un Certain Regard. Reportedly powerful, but very out-there, ‘Hunger' is an impressionistic interpretation of the last six weeks in the life of Bobby Sands, the IRA hunger striker who died in the Maze prison in 1981.