as a democratic counter to what noir , around 20 feature was then a fascist-enabled films compete each year for cinema gala in Venice, the the prize. new festival of Cannes set out Among the stars that have to be the place to make bold shone in Cannes over the past Cannes can cinematic discoveries. It has been seven decades are Sophia Ten days of glitz, glamour and pure movie love comprise a launchpad for cinematic big Loren, , Grace the agenda for the world’s most prestigious film festival hitters ever since. Kelly, Gérard Depardieu and on France’s sparkling Côte d’Azur, writes Maeve Hosea The invitation-only event is . The jury at where the great and the greatest Cannes is traditionally interested of international film come each in originality, in films that take haracterised by leading studded Croisette promenade, year in search of the coveted bold risks, and those that push lights walking the red and the A-list hopping exclusive Palme d’Or trophy. Collected the medium of cinema forward. C carpet, to zeitgeist parties in the surrounding hills; across the years by notables such Seminal directors who have made screenings; intense film industry this is Cannes. The ambitious, as for The Third their names here include ➤ hobnobbing on the terraces of artistic, extravagant Cannes Man; ’s for the Belle Époque hotels; paparazzi Film Festival is now into its then controversial Above: Grace Kelly at the spoilt for choice on the star- 72nd edition. First conceived and for his neo- in 1955

74 Upward Curve January-MarchApril-June 2019 2019 Francois Truffaut, Alfred a glossy lifestyle and the perfect Hitchcock, , backdrop for pretty people to Jane Campion, , make a splash – think cinema and , who screened his siren of Palme debut feature She’s Gotta Have It d’Or winner The Leopard and here in 1986. co-star Burt Lancaster taking Off screen, the a real leopard for a stroll on the location is the place to see Croisette in 1963 – there are and be seen. From the event’s inelegant moments too: Lars Von inception the publicity savvy Trier announcing to the press realised Mediterranean sea and that he ‘understands Hitler’; the sunshine provide the perfect tension between Universal Soldier photo opportunity. In the early co-stars Jean Claude Van Damme decades stars sojourned for two Mediterranean nights, the In and around the celebrated and Dolph Lundgren translating weeks in full view of the news festival has always been as Palais des Festivals venue, actors into a very public, staged brawl cameras. Gorgeous black and much a celebration of fashion and film-makers seek to wow the on the steps of the Palais des white photography reveals Kirk as film, and a key pulse point critics and woo the public. Off the Festivals venue; or the cast of Douglas casually braiding Brigitte of global style trends on and off iconic red carpet, the film festival Michael Winterbottom’s 24 Hour Bardot’s hair on the beach; the red carpet. Think 18-year-old in Cannes likes to keep things Party People evicted from perfect ice-cold blonde Grace Brigitte Bardot scandalising in shamelessly elitist with slews a private beach for pelting Kelly epitomising French Riviera a – then – daring in 1953; of lavish and exclusive parties diners at an upscale restaurant chic on the Croisette before giving sauntering along seeking to outdo each other in with faux dead pigeons. Hollywood up to become Princess the seafront in a white polo terms of pomp and glamour. As much as the depth, Grace of Monaco; loved-up Serge neck 1973; in With the bright lights of media scope and stylish production of Gainsbourg and tête- a Jean-Paul Gaultier conical attention not always welcome, the cinematic medium, the festival à-tête in local restaurants. With bra for her 1991 In Bed With today’s soirees often convene celebrates real-world emotions the concept of celebrity now fully- Madonna documentary. Let’s after dark at a luxury villa in the and the possibility of bringing fledged, many stars these days not forget Angelina Jolie in 2011 hills or on board the ship of dreams to life. ■ choose to stay in exclusive hotels – one half of Hollywood’s then a suitably rich and vogueish up the coast, dropping into town hottest power couple – wowing figure. Super yachts boast anti- Top: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie only for choice film premieres red carpet crowds in a split-to- paparazzi shields and a level of at The Tree of Life screening in and red carpet photo calls. the-hip chocolate silk Versace service rarely found on dry land. 2011 Above: Roberto Cavalli, Mixing a heady cocktail gown for husband Brad Pitt’s While the seaside resort Sharon Stone and Eva Cavalli of beauty, fame and starry Tree of Life premiere. in May is synonymous with at Cannes in 2014

76 Upward Curve April-June 2019