This is my first Cannes in 2007. Immense and immediate describe the enormity and the pace of the Cannes Film Festival. Last minute can work both ways. It can be nerve wracking when you discover your passport is expired and you have to appear at the New York office to expedite it (there’s a hefty fee). IF you have all the elements in order– including travel plans within two weeks, an invitation from the Festival and/or the business you represent and a airline ticket. The flight took me into Frankfurt then Paris and finally a train to Cannes with a transfer at Lyon. A first class ticket for an extra 20 euro. Well worth being in a club car and not in economy rows packed like sardines.
I met two filmmakers on their way, last minute as I had, yet they seemed a bit more stressed about it. As filmmakers, they should have come in sooner for meetings since most of the distributors would be heading back home after the opening weekend, but you never know what might happen and who you’ll be having a conversation with at the receptions.
Fortunately, I found a spot on a boat, Habibi through Craig’s List listed after the opening weekend and grabbed the opportunity. I met and stayed with some very enthusiastic and extraordinary people. Docked in the Port de Cannes Marina, it was a five minute walk to the Palais and the center of the world from May 16-27, 2007.
