The red carpet in Cannes: 5 things you did not know
To be invited to the Cannes festival and walk the red carpet together with world-class stars, that's every woman's dream. This year, the brightest stars were, for example, actress Cate Blanchett, this time as jury chairwoman, or one of the main stars, Penélope Cruz.
Safety above all
One of the first things I noticed in Cannes was a closed traffic lane right on the main promenade. The taxi driver tells me that this is primarily because of safety, which is put first here in France and elsewhere after the events of recent years.
And indeed, local security measures cannot be overlooked. Later I ventured into the streets to take in the atmosphere. I walk past the Palais de Festivals, a modern building just off the harbour where the main program runs. The glory and glamour of the festival center is replaced with the still-life of a half-destroyed building directly across from the palace, where police patrol with machine guns.
Where to catch starry prey
Close to the Palais de Festival there are two other closed lanes. This is also to prevent curious onlookers who want to see their favourite stars (I am among them) from getting closer than desired. I and a lot of others are lurking in front of the nearby, unusually empty, boutique Chanel.
It's a futile attempt to catch a glimpse of the movie stars, because none of us have such a good view of the red carpet. In addition, journalists who have not received accreditation block our view, and now they are trying to capture what they can. Many of them even stand on the ladders.
But I was lucky enough to see the stars coming to the red carpet from Hotel Magestic, which is right across from the Palais de Festivals. It is the star-studded cast of the new comedy "Sink or Swim" headed by the director, French actor Gilles Lellouche.
On my big day, I drive by taxi to the Martinez Hotel, where I am supposed meet my escort. I step out of the taxi in my dress and take a short walk to the hotel. I pass a crowd of spectators who have prepared their cameras with the desire to capture their "star prey".
There are also camera flashes in the foyer of the hotel. The ladies are posing for the photographers before they hit the red carpet.
Like a flash, Petra Němcová flies by us in a beautiful red dress with her escort, she gets into a vehicle with the Chopard logo and disappears.
Who will take photos of you? Whoever recognizes you!
A limousine driver picks us up at the hotel. "It is better for a woman to sit on the left side so she does not have to walk around the car when we get to the carpet," he says to me when the door opens. The journey does not take more than 5 minutes.
"When you enter the carpet, hold your invitation so that our photographer recognizes you. No selfies, or your phone will be confiscated," says my escort. But in front of me on the stairs along the infinitely long red carpet, there about five rows of photographers standing like a giant church choir. Which one is supposed to photograph me, for God's sake? At that moment, he luckily notices me himself and starts snapping one shot after the other. I repay him with a smile.
After the photo shoot, I walk up the red stairs, which is quite a challenge in my tight black Audrey Hepburn style dress. I trip on the last step, but keep my balance. I victoriously hand over my ticket for inspection and go inside.
Don't expect champagne
It's time for champagne, I smile to myself and I look around to see where I can get a glass. How disappointing to find out that in the Palais de Festivals there is nowhere to buy a drink! Neither alcoholic beverages nor water!
Luckily, my mood improves for a bit after I am lucky enough to get a photo with Michael Jackson's sister, La Toya Jackson. Big celebrities like her usually sit in the hall on the balcony where a separate entrance leads.
At the Cannes International Film Festival, the films are screened in the original language and are subtitled under the screen in French and English. So if you don't have good eyes, glasses come in handy. Our film was in Korean, which I have not learned yet.
At the end of the film, we walk out through the side entrance, the red carpet is only for the incoming.
Exclusivity is not exclusive to the festival
"Black Tie" dress code is a common thing during the Cannes festival and you meet a lot of beautiful people on the street who adhere to it. But many of them are headed elsewhere than the Palais de Festivals.
As with other well-known film festivals, many accompanying events, including parties of all kinds, take place in Cannes. Large private parties are also held by the owners of the surrounding villas. Hundreds of guests are usually invited, including musical accompaniments in the form of famous singers and bands. They also include fireworks, which often adorn the festival sky.
The most prestigious event of the Cannes festival is not its opening, but rather the AmfAR Gala Cannes. The exclusive charity event at du Cap-Eden-Roc hotel is attended by film celebrities from around the world, such as Madonna or Leonardo Dicaprio.
Who knows, maybe next time?
