First Day at the Festival

The first day of the festival sure was an experience. In short, I need to work on my begging skills. I also met a celebrity...

I took the train into JLP around 11am or so. After running into/meeting up with some people, we went to see a Norwegian film (brace yourself for a raunchy title) called Turn Me On, Goddammit! Despite it's synopsis that made it sound pretty much like an adult movie, it was really good. Shot very well, good actors, good story. It was cute.

After a quick panini lunch outside of the Palais, it was on to the next movie: an Irish documentary about bare knuckle fighting called Knuckle. Handheld and shaky, the bloody fights only added to my initial wooziness. I don't know if I quite enjoyed the film, but it was interesting. Clans physically fighting one another over something no one quite knows and drinking heavily, in summary.

In preparation for the opening ceremony and screening of Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen, after the documentary I changed in the Palais (after getting my dress from the tux/dress check...snazzy!). After I was all made up, I ran over to the American Pavilion to get my pass and take a look at the water. Out to the left of this were a lot of boats and yachts. So pretty.

After that, it was time to beg. Although our badges get us into pretty much any film we want to see, screenings at the main theater at nighttime require tickets. Outside of the Palais I held a sign that read "1 Billet pour <<Midnight in Paris>> SVP" (1 Ticket for "Midnight in Paris Please). After standing for about 10 minutes, a man walked by and handed Melanie, my begging partner, a ticket. We were so excited and thought getting another would be a piece of cake. An hour and a half later, not so much. While standing there, people would take pictures, laugh, videotape and even interview us. Although I felt a little bit pathetic, there was no shame; I reveled in the thought that I was dressed up, at the Cannes Film Festival, and darn-tootin' proud. After a while, I gave up and went to dinner with some others on the trip, then headed back to JLP.

Cannes really is a great place. It's very exciting and full of movement. Can't wait to see more films over the upcoming days.