Yes, it’s that time of year when a little seaside town on the French Riviera is transformed to the most prestigious, most glamourous and highest attended film festival in the world. Journalists are watching films from 830am, press junkets in villas kick off mid morning, lunch time is cinema talk in the cute French cafés through town, more films screenings through the afternoon, then hair, make up and red carpet! Everyone looks terrific, the ceremony begins, the official and pedestrian paparazzi swam, and then everyone is together in the dark and remember why they’re there- to breath the emotions of the filmmakers who have spent years creating a 90 or so minute story to share with the world- and there they are now, all dolled up and sitting proudly and nervously just in front… applause, maybe tears (and hopefully not but occasionally a mini siesta after) back onto the croisette and there’s dinners with Egyptian producers, French actresses, American directors and Italian cameramen… and the phones are running hot for the next address- a beach party, the Majestic for pink champagne, the Grand for the anglosaxon hang, villa Shweppes with the Frenchies, the Carlton for VIP rap concert or perhaps the official party for the film in competition to talk shop, brush shoulders with the A team and danse.
The next day, high on the excitement of the last day, it’s up for strong coffee (perhaps a dip in the ocean if weather permits!) and to pound the pavement and haunt the Palais in a cinematic delirium that is called Cannes.
Tonight? Woody Allen’s Café Society will open the festival, screening out of competition. Back in the main competition this year’s directors include the DARDENNE brothers (Belgium), Pedro ALMODÓVAR (Spain), Xavier DOLAN (Canada), Ken LOACH (UK) and Sean PENN (USA).
