In mid-May, the entire film world descends on Cannes. But at the world’s biggest film festival, it’s easy to get lost. Our senior reporter Corine Moriou has put together a survival guide for any self-respecting festival-goer. Everything you need to make the most of the Cannes effect.
The Cannes Film Festival is the place to be for film professionals and lovers of the silver screen from all over the world. In other words, it’s a unique opportunity to take part in legendary parties. With a whirlwind of screenings, dinners, parties, and galas, making a good impression, picking up useful contacts, and having a good time is a full-time job! Here are a few tips for Barbie, the festival-goer (that’s you), and Ken, the festival-goer (your knight in shining armor, of course), who want to experience unforgettable moments.
Thanks to Greta Gerwing, president of the jury at Cannes in 2024 and director of the film Barbie, a global box office hit, for providing us with this source of inspiration.
1) Barbie in a long dress, Ken and his bow tie
On the French Riviera, and especially in Cannes, the glamorous look is de rigueur. In fact, no red carpet appearance can be decently conceived without evening wear and patent leather shoes (especially no sneakers, as a nightclub bouncer would say).
In the evening, when it’s time to face the city lights, we don’t deny ourselves the pleasure of dressing up and pulling out all the stops: preferably a long dress, sky-high heels, sophisticated hairstyle, sparkling jewelry (real ones that look fake!), red lipstick, doe eyes à la Audrey Hepburn… And come rain, wind, or snow (yes, the weather can be just as unpredictable on the Croisette), Barbie wears neither coat nor tights. A shawl is tolerated if it adds a touch of refinement.
These ten days of festival are a real marathon. You have to “be and look” your best from the morning at the Film Market, to afternoon tea at the Carlton, and, of course, when walking up the steps at the Palais des Festivals.
Remember that in Cannes, you can never be “too dressed up,” even in the middle of the afternoon. A nice look, and you’ll be invited to the Magnum Party.
And there’s no question of wearing the same long dress twice, so you need to arrive in Cannes with a more than substantial wardrobe, ideally your own and that of your best friends. That said, even in Cannes, bartering works!
Ken looks perfect in a tuxedo, ready to attend the big parties. The bow tie is a must, it sets the tone. Ken is immediately labeled one of the “happy few” and Barbie, head held high, can walk through the crowd on his arm.
2) Champagne, lots of water… and a few drops of essential oil
Barbie drinks lots of water to stay hydrated and avoid headaches. One glass is fine, two glasses and you’re in trouble! And if you’re planning to hit the dance floor at the Villa Schweppes until the early hours, make sure you stock up on sparkling water. Loaded with salt, it will help you keep your energy up.
Of course, you can knock back cocktails and swim in champagne pools… if you sleep until 2 p.m. the next day. But if you have appointments during the day, oh dear, you’re in trouble. Concealer, blush, and foundation will make you look good… even though you only slept three hours the night before. Your brain cells, on the other hand, will be working in slow motion. “Hey, I lost the thread. What were you saying? How many dollars did this movie make in the US?”
What to do if you have a headache? Homeopathy is a valuable aid: Nux Vomica 5CH in five granules, before and after consuming alcohol. Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to your temples. Very effective.
3) An invitation? What invitation? Try your luck
Sure, you’re not a night owl, but you’d still like to be part of the party. Well, at the risk of sounding like a killjoy, let’s be honest, if you’re not a celebrity, an influencer with 2 million followers, a VIC (Very Important Client) or a film professional, attending the Chopard party or the Festival’s closing ceremony is likely to be a sport in itself.
No ticket? Not on the guest list? The answer is NO. And NO means NO. Tough on the ego. But there’s no need to cry about it!
Try your luck at a party that’s more accessible. As the saying goes, “In May, do what you like.” Of course, you’re not bringing your whole gang of friends. Forget about the threesome. Two’s better than one. Preferably dressed as Barbie and Ken, super stylish or even over the top, matching outfits—like in a Kooples ad—but definitely in sync. You can always show up alone… After all, if you’re blessed by Mother Nature or behave like one of the Beautiful People, you won’t stay that way for long.
4) Be among the first… before the horde of guests
Contrary to popular belief, it’s better to be among the first guests. Barbie can then hope to chat with her hosts, the evening’s sponsors, the handsome boys… In short, network intelligently.
Another advantage: if you’re shy, you can easily strike up a conversation with people you’re introduced to.
It’s also a magical moment when you can admire the venue and the Riviera setting before the horde of guests arrives. Is your schedule very busy? At 9 p.m., you can always slip away under the pretext of a private screening… and enjoy another evening. However, don’t hesitate to stay longer if the party is in full swing and you’re having fun!
5)The courtyard, the garden… and the beach
Don’t know anyone? Great, you won’t have to hang out with your usual crowd. This is your chance to meet new people.
Be strategic: what are your goals? Take a quick look at all the guests. Who would you like to meet? That stranger who seems very friendly? Or perhaps Camille Cottin, the Festival’s mistress of ceremonies? Are you setting the bar a little high? In any case, you’ll have to choose the right moment.
Don’t stand in front of the buffet and risk looking like a freeloader. In any case, in “classy” places, the waiters make several rounds with trays in hand.
Ken moves around casually, smiling, from one room to another. He takes in the atmosphere on the courtyard side, the garden side… and the beach side.
With a drink in his hand, he introduces himself to Barbie, who is standing alone on a terrace. She is grateful and looks at him with stars in her eyes.
6) I loooove what you’re doing
Make the introductions according to the rules.
First, always introduce a woman to a man, and the youngest person to the oldest, unless the latter is higher in the hierarchy.
Then there are the stars, politicians, and journalists who make the front pages of magazines, whom it would be in poor taste to introduce. But our foreign friends don’t always have the French elite and other Who’s Who in mind. We forgive them. You yourself admit to huge gaps in your knowledge.
Ken suddenly finds himself face to face with Sandrine Kiberlain. He blurts out, “I really like what you do.” A short phrase that always goes down well. Be careful, however, to ensure that his knowledge of cinema and excellent memory enable him to strike up a conversation.
Note that you should never use the ugly and laconic “Enchanté,” which grates on the ear. Instead, opt for “Ravi de faire votre connaissance,” “Nice meeting you,” or even better, “Glad to meet you,” or the very minimalist “It’s a pleasure.” If, and only if, your conversation partner, who is a proven polyglot or inveterate user of Globish, has expressed their pleasure at meeting you, you can respond with “Pleasure is mine.”
7) The art of extricating yourself from annoying people
An old actor rushes toward the audience. He hasn’t acted in 30 years and seems to be in a state close to Ohio, as Isabelle would say… but not Huppert. He’s the annoying person everyone is trying to avoid. Being kind-hearted, you exchange three words with him, then say, “I’ll go get a glass of champagne and be right back.” You don’t come back. He reappears at the corner of a room. You smile, then look away: “One of my friends is here, I really have to go and greet him.” And never mind if it’s a lie. If the pain in the neck is smart, he’ll find another victim.
8) Know how to make a good exit
After a certain hour, tongues start to loosen. Some festival-goers let themselves go and forget that they’re there for professional reasons.
After midnight, the party becomes a dangerous place. Barbie has lost her slipper… Ken quickly earns himself a reputation as a social alcoholic or second-rate womanizer. It’s best to leave… unless you’d rather fall fully clothed into the pool.
A little spontaneity doesn’t hurt, as long as the circumstances are right. A “See you soon” will be a delightful way to end the evening with your new friends.
9) Never without your spare flip-flops
You’re not Barbie and you don’t have a driver waiting for you at the exit? All the taxis have been snapped up? No bikes for hire? That’s the harsh reality of the International Film Festival (FIF)!
At 4 a.m., you’ll be glad to swap your Louboutin heels for a pair of plastic flip-flops (yes, they exist: on sale from $1.10 on the internet!). You’ll have slipped them into your evening bag beforehand, making sure it’s big enough. Then you can continue to wander desperately along the Croisette in search of a kind soul who has a car, and maybe even a driver, and is going in your direction.
10) Bus and train timetables… within easy reach
Of course, you charged your phone before leaving your palace, villa, yacht… or your “bargain” room rented from a local 30 kilometers from Cannes in the hinterland.
After taking countless photos, your cell phone is dead. Digital technology has its limits. Sometimes you have to go back to the basics. Saved! You printed out the night bus and train schedules. You can finally return home. And in your bed, you can dream that you spent a wonderful evening in 4D with Barbie and Ken.
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Featured photo: ©Vito Ansaldi
