Despite some grumbling on the subject of Manderley Lars Von Trier's film is one of the favorites of the critics -- then along came Broken Flowers by Jim Jarmusch--now a frontrunner. David Cronenberg's A History of Violence is also a favorite. Hidden by Michael Haneke seems by and large the most esteemed film to date.

In Jarmusch's latest, Bill Murray plays private eye and tries to a boy who claims to be his son, while confronted by old flames--Jessica Lange, Frances Conroy, Sharon Stone, and Tilda Swinton. He has also been recently dumped by Julie Delpy. Bill Murray is indeed a lucky man with leading ladies and films written especially for him (Jarmusch and Coppola's Lost in Translation to boot.) The actor revealed at the press conference that he is going back to 'mowing his lawn'after this film.

A History of Violence is the story of a restaurant owner, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen), who kills burglars breaking into his establishment and becomes the talk of the town. Journalists are sworn to secrecy about the plot.

David Cronenberg will be the recipient of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 16th International Stockholm Film Festival, November 17-2, during the darkest days of the year in Stockholm.

Moira Sullivan