Here it is – TOP 10 of the best smiles from Cannes Film Festival 2008. It was very hard competition with cries and tears, grins and hysterical laughing. But I was trying to find something sincere and honest. Can you be sure of artist's frankness? Now way! We just can observe they do this.

Ass for me, Jack Black seems like a pretty cool guy to hang out and chat. Don't you think so? Nope? No way?! What a fcuk? Ask anyone: "Who made the Best Tribute in the World of the Best Song in the World?" He made this. Not alone, with Kyle Gass. Everybody knows.

So let's go back to Berlinale – 2008. Those winter event still full of undercover stories and I should uncover some of them for you. You have to forgive me few stories I need to keep in deep secret. Nothing personal, just piece of private style… or coquettish blogging.

The second day of the first film festival (ok, it wasn't my first, but fairy tale can't go literally) gave me more chances to survive. I found nice café with good not too expensive soup (good soup is very! important for effective work, isn't it?) near from Festival Palace, I got my press box with programs and was ready to see some movies, to listen to some press-conferences and to get few pictures at the red carpet. Red carpet of this day was waiting for guests for the official screening "There Will Be Blood". This movie by director Paul Thomas Anderson got two Silver Bears: Paul received the Prize for Best Director and Jonny Greenwood received the award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution (Music). If they could know it from this day maybe my pictures would have more smiling faces. Anyway, let's see how it was…

First Guests

Lucia: The first question is… What is Gogol Bordello for you?
Elijah: What are they? To me?
Lucia: Yeah.
Elijah: Hm-m-m… Well, family… friends… and, I don't know, probably one of the greatest live bands I've ever seen now. And I think what they do is necessary, because it brings a sense of life and sort of a positive energy to people around the world. In fact they are multicultural and trying to reach out other cultures and I think it's really important. But to me personally they are my friends and I am proud to be involved in their worlds as a friend.
Lucia: And when did you find them?
Elijah: Well, I worked with Eugene on a film called "Everything is illuminated". And I hadn't heard of the band before that. And then obviously when I met Eugene we became friends on that. Then I heard the music of the band, and I've known them ever since.
Lucia: When you were in this film, you were in Ukraine for the first time?
Elijah: We actually shot the film in the Czech Republic, we shot it in Prague, we didn't shoot it in Ukraine, so I've never been to Ukraine.
Lucia (surprised): You've never been to Ukraine?
Eelijah: No… no…
Lucia: Oh, that's interesting place!
Elijah: I know, I know, I need to go.
Lucia (after pause): Gosh!
Elijah (scared): No…
Lucia: The next question was…
Elijah (more scared): Oh, no…
Lucia: …about Ukraine…
Elijah (screaming and smiling): Oh, no! NO!
Lucia: That's Ok. What is this film for you?
Elijah: Illuminated? "Everything is Illuminated"?
Lucia: Yep! Is this film about Ukrainian and Western mentalities?
Elijah: It is but it's also just about connecting with your roots, and where you come from, and, I think we can all relate that on some level, whether or not, we've taken a journey like that and, gone to find out where we come from specifically for and then. So I think we can all relate to a sense of belonging to a certain… you know, society, or country, or heritage. And I think it's just a really beautiful film, it's a beautiful movie to work on, it was wonderful to work with Eugene, and I think we all kind of knew that we were doing something special, and beautiful.
Lucia: And do you know your roots?
Elijah Kind of, I've not really explored them, but I know that I have eastern European on my mother's side, I believe its either Austrian or Polish.
Lucia (interested): Polish?
Elijah: Perhaps, not sure. Somewhere in eastern Europe. And then on my father's side it's English and Irish, so it's split down the middle.
Lucia: Why do you travel now? Why don't you work at USA?
Elijah (somebody started to speak into microphone): What's that?
Lucia (loudly): Why are you traveling now?
ELIJAH: Why am I traveling now? Well, I'm not working at the moment, so I came out. My girlfriend is in the band and she had her birthday tonight, so I came out for her birthday. So yeah, I'm not doing anything at the moment, but I'm working on a small record label, in the United States called "Simian Records", and I'm going back for some shows that a band that I've been working with, are playing.
Lucia: What pictures are you going to work on?
Elijah: Well, I've been working on an animated film, called "Nine", that should come out… end of next year. I did a movie earlier this year, called "The Oxford Murders", that comes out next year. And then I'm about to start on some other that come out next year.
Lucia: What is your point of view, about modern cinema?
Elijah: Modern Cinema? I don't know… I feel like it becomes more and more difficult to find movies that I really wanna see. I feel like years ago, at any given weekend, there were three or four movies that I wanted to see… And the older I get, I feel like it's more difficult to find movies that I want to see. So I don't know, I feel like there's a lot of sequels, there are a lot of remakes, and a lack of original ideas. But I think that all art runs in cycles, and I think that we're in a bad cycle at the moment, and I think it'll shift and change, like anything does.
Lucia: Which is your favorite European or USA director of film?
Elijah (bewildered): Wow… The favorite of all time?
Lucia: Not to work may be. To see. Like… I don't know… Almodovar.
Elijah: Yeah, he's great. I mean he's had such a long career, and has made some amazing movies. I love Ang Lee, I think Ang Lee is consistent in being amazing. I love Paul Thomas Anderson… Who else… I love Guillermo del Toro, I think "Pan's Labyrinth", which he did last year, was extraordinary. I love the Coen Brothers, I think the Coen Brothers are amazing. I'm really excited about their new films.
Lucia: So, thank you! That's all.
Elijah: That's it?
Lucia: Yep, thank you.
Elijah: You're welcome, of course.