THE 66TH ANNUAL CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Cannes is quite certainly one of the most magnetic film festival destinations in the world. The fashions, the films, the celebration are all exciting parts of the diversity of the event that runs from the 15th of May through the 26th of May, 2013. The Cannes Film Festival is now in its 66th year of fabulous films.
There are classics that entertain and enlighten, newly introduced cinema creations that will gain rapid acclaim such as ‘Like Father, Like Son’, ‘Behind the Candelabra’ about the life of Liberace starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, ‘The Bling Ring’, ‘The Immigrant’ and ‘Only God Forgives’. Big name directors with spellbinding films include Alexander Payne, Steven Soderbergh and the Coen Brothers. Talented directors hail from almost every country imaginable.
The number of films previewed by entertainment media, celebrities and cultural critics now tops 1000. There is a mix of horror, action, love stories, documentaries, Bollywood films and so much more. The festival opened this year with the 3D screening of the dazzling ‘The Great Gatsby’ and it was a star-studded event with the cast and director in attendance. The Red Carpet sparkled with the likes of Cindy Crawford, Freida Pinto, Georgia May Jagger and Julianne Moore to name a few.
This year, Steven Spielberg has been appointed Jury President and Nicole Kidman is a Jury member. It is an honor to receive these titles that come with crucial responsibilities, even for such recognized names in the industry such as these two. Both have a host of awards to their credits.
Designers are well-represented as their gowns grace the Red Carpet as attendees smile and attend the premieres. The photos are splashed across the internet and top publications around the globe. Nicole Kidman, Carey Mulligan and Julianne Moore all wear Dior, Frieda Pinto wears Gucci, Emma Watson wears Chanel. We saw the gorgeous gowns of Roberto Cavalli, Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Elie Saab and Dolce & Gabbana. The fashions are incomparable from the very first day of the opening to the culminating closing.
Parties are prevalent after a poignant day of films and on Friday, May 17, 2013, Belvedere Vodka hosted a celebrity-packed event for the evening. Guests including the fashionable Solange Knowles (in a colorful pantsuit), ‘Hunger Games’ star (and rumored to be newly single) Liam Hemsworth, model Chloe Norgaard, ‘The Help’ actress Anha O’Reilly, DJ superstar Diplo, Brazilian actress and breakout star of ‘Motel’, Rebecca Da Costa and many others danced the night away while sipping on Belvedere cocktails. Reverend Run from RUN D.M.C. and DJ Ruckus performed at the exclusive VIP Room at the JW Marriott in Cannes. This is the sixth consecutive year that the world’s first super-premium vodka has participated in the festivities.
On Sunday, May 19, 2013, “For The Love of Cinema” was held and hosted by Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen. It was held at the lavish Hotel DU Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes. Many of the stars came out to enjoy the affair. Seen socializing were Naomi Watts, Eric Dane, Karolina Kurkova, Tim Jefferies and a whole social circle of celebrities.
This year also introduces the Cannes Movie Stars Lounge where directors, cast and crew can all be found promoting their fine films. The amenities abound as they savor the attention.
There is simply no end to the entrancing entertainment. Some of these films may even end up with an Oscar in a couple of years. The possibilities are endless but one thing is for sure. Magnificent Cannes is the place to be in the month of May.
PHOTO CREDITS: Image.net, Evan Agostini/Invision, Getty Images
