Quick Cuts

Mama Judd’s Debut

Naomi Judd makes her feature film acting debut this week in “Family Tree,” a family drama about the conflict between a father (Robert Forster) and a son (Andy Lawrence) over the impending removal of an ancient oak tree in their small town. Judd, mother of actress Ashley and country superstar Wynonna, has appeared in several made-for-television movies and in 1979 appeared as an extra in the sequel “More American Graffiti.”

Odyssey to Cannes

The latest from Joel and Ethan Coen, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” a darkly comic update of Homer’s “Odyssey,” has been accepted into competition at next month’s Cannes International Film Festival. “O Brother” stars Coen brothers’ movie veterans John Turturro, John Goodman, Holly Hunter, Michael Badalucco and Charles Durning as well as George Clooney and Tim Nelson. Disney plans an October release under its Touchstone banner.

Highs and Lows

How do big-time movie directors stay informed while on location? Roland Emmerich, the German-born director whose credits include “Independence Day” and “Godzilla,” told reporters at a sneak preview for his upcoming Revolutionary War drama “The Patriot” that he stayed glued to the Weather Channel to keep tabs on the three or so hurricanes that threatened to disrupt filming in South Carolina. Columbia will release “The Patriot,” which stars Mel Gibson, on June 30.