Cannes Film Festival – Of Gwen, Gavin, Rob and Brad

With all the running around and queuing and stressing, it can sometimes be easy to forget one is in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and that the point is to enjoy it, just as hard as you work. Yes, I can hear you say, ah but you’re sipping champagne in Cannes, what’s not to love? The glamour is there, don’t get me wrong, but it can also be a stressful juggling game. Which is why I love when little moments like this happen.

I had been on a deadline and was running late for a cocktail party for a new film called Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, starring Bingbing Li and Hugh Jackman. I was a little out of breath when I got there and literally as I entered bumped straight into Rob Lowe. Great to see him closer up than I had at the Duran Duran party. As if that star power wasn’t enough, in walked the Gwen Stefani. I don’t often get starstruck, but with her and hubby Gavin Rossdale in the room, it was hard not to be.

No Doubt and Bush were the bands that got me through my teen years. So I had to say hi. Gwen looked gorgeous in her Stella McCartney jumpsuit, but in this pic, she looks almost like a wax-works figure. I assure you, she was not!

I prefer this pic:

Told Gavin how I thoroughly enjoy his music and that I managed to catch the Bush show they did in Cape Town for Lucky Strike years ago. When I asked for the pic, he answered he would only do it if Rob joined in too. He really is Mr Pretty.

The film preview was showing at the event and it looks interesting – kinda along the lines of Memoirs of a Geisha. The stars all went off to walk the red carpet for Brad Pitt’s big film The Tree of Life, directed by Terrence Malick. The director wasn’t on hand to talk about the film, but Brad did a good job to join some of the dots that I was left with after watching it.

Another interesting kind of film, called Amsterdam Heavy, was in the spotlight today too. It’s a collaboration between South African producer Mike Rix, whom I first met at Cannes five years ago, and business partners from the UK and US he met while at Cannes. It stars Tarantino bad boy, Michael Madsen and has had quite a good publicity buzz going at the fest.

Didn’t, sadly, manage to catch the screening, but I did make it to see The Artist. What a fantastic film – unequivocally my best here so far. Perhaps it’s because of the hope the film presented at the end, but also I liked it because it was quirky, funny, yet sad at times, and the lead character is excellent, second to the dog which stars alongside him (think he needs an award of his own!). The silent film is a true gem, and I’m glad I made the late-night screening to see it.

Oh, and I met a lovely new director who’s come onto my radar – Sean Durkin. He is the man behind the film Martha Marcy May Marlene. He seems to be on a path of creating meaty roles for young actresses to fill so that they don’t get sucked into the usual Hollywood fare. Also interviewed the star of his film, Elizabeth Olsen, who is branching out of the Olsen family name to make her own mark.