Coen Brothers

It's 1991 and les frères Coen leave their mark on the Croisette, taking the Palme d'Or for Barton Fink (which will go on to receive a Golden Globe nomination for John Goodman, supporting actor). Cannes in the 1990s is absolutely in love with les indies américains (and Asia), and more Palmes will rain on the Sundance generation throughout the decade.

Joel and Ethan Coen's long-gestating labour of love Hail, Caesar! hits US screens this weekend, featuring a triple A cast: George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton and a delightful list of cameos and special appearances. But the main character is probably Hollywood itself - a very Coen version of Golden Age, late 1940s/early 1950s Hollywood, seasoned with a bit of Barton Fink acidity, some Big Lebowski psychedelia and a spoonful of A Serious Man's existential angst.

Oscar Isaac, who has the title role, rocks with Mumford and the Punch Brothers A roster of stellar musicians under the guidance of legendary music producer T-Bone Burnett performed a benefit concert for the movie Inside Llewyn Davis at the Town Hall in New York City and attended by a group of HFPA members. The film, written and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen and produced by Scott Rudin, follows the fictional out-of-luck folk singer Llewyn  Davis , played by Oscar Isaac, drifting through the New York Club scene of the 1960s.