66th Cannes Film Festival 2013

Even though the rains came again this year it didn't stop the parties here at the Cannes Film Festival. Everyone, including me, brought their best dresses and be damned we are going to wear them, monsoon or not.

Fan Bing Bing at Chopard Party at the Hotel Martinez

Evelyn Bakon Wheeler and Linda Obannon with 3 Chainz Manager

The Carlton Lounge (my favorite spot other than Nikki Beach Cannes) has been turned into a virtual nightclub in the evening. The Hotel hired a DJ who is drawing unbelievable crowds. I can't believe how this once laidback lobby bar and lounge has now become party central.

Linda Obannon hanging out at Carlton Lounge

Evelyn Bakon-Wheeler in Carlton Lobby heading out to the Chopard Party at the Hotel Martinez

Director Chrystle Roberson at Carlton Lounge

Chrystle Roberson, Linda Obannon at Carlton Lounge

Actress Sydelle Noel on the red carpet at the British party in Cannes

Actress Sydelle Noel

Producer Mychal

Evelyn Wheeler on the red carpet at the British Film Party

Fan Bing Bing at Chopard Party in Cannes

Fan Bing Bing at Chopard Party

Solange Knowles performing on stage at Chopard Party

Other stars spotted in the Carlton Lounge:

Jane Fonda heading out to a screening;
Bruce and Laura Dern heading to the screening of Nebraska;
A J Calloway just hanging out waiting for the rain to cease;
Akon;
Tyga and his crew;
Robin Thicke passing through on his way to who knows where;
Jerry Lewis finding a table along with some of his people;
Bokeem Woodbine just enjoying the lounge

66th Cannes Film Festival - Days 1 and 2

Once I arrived in Cannes, met up with two of my friends from Chicago who are new to the Cote d'Azur and attending the Festival for the first time.  The Great Gatsby is the opening film for the festival and even though it is raining it will still be quite a big event. 

 Fan Bing Bing on red carpet at Gatsby opening

Watch Gatsby red carpet video here:

http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/mediaPlayer/12818.html#
(courtesy Festival de Cannes)

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Czk0IJGoLeg


I was excited to attend the Fruitvale Station screening today, Thursday, the second day of the Festival.  Fruitvale Station is a film based on the true story of Oscar, a 22 year old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and decided to get a head start on his resolutions by being a better son to his mom, who was celebrating her birthday, and a better partner to his girlfriend and mother of his 4 year old daughter.  Unfortunately he is killed by an Oakland transit policeman after celebrating with his friends on New Years Eve.  It is riveting and spectacularly filmed by first time filmmaker Ryan Coogler who is vying for the Camera d'Or. He's up against some strong competition but I am rooting for him.  Fruitvale Station won the Grand Jury Prize and the Public Prize at this years Sundance Film Festival.

Actor Michael B. Jordan and Director Ryan Coogler

Watch the official trailer for Fruitvale Station here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZxUJwJfcQaQ

I also attended the Chopard Party this evening at the Hotel Martinez.  Chopard is the most coveted party ticket in Cannes during the festival, second only to the AMFAR Party at the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in Antibes.  Both are highly coveted events.  The fact that I was able to secure entry for this years event is a big notch in my belt.  Chopard is the designer of the coveted Palme d'Or award that is given for the best film screened at the festival.  They also supply most of the jewelry worn by the stars on the red carpet during the Festival.  This year they are also in the news because of a heist of some of their jewelry from the Novotel Hotel in Cannes today, the same day of the party.  It appears that thieves removed the safe containing more than $1 million worth of jewels from the hotel room of a Chopard employee by entering through an adjoining room.  The employee is of course being questioned as it appears to be an inside job.  But none of this stopped the women attending the Chopard party from displaying some of the most dazzling jewelry I have ever seen up close.  They were literally dripping in jewels. One woman was so bedazzling, that when asked if  she would take a photo, she politely said "I'm flattered, but no."

I am not making much headway with writing my blog this year, as there is just so much going on that I am involved with that I am left with very little time for writing.

2013 Cannes Festival

I attended another screening today, Friday the third day of the Festival, of a film starring Rob Pralgo and Tom Sizemore called Remnants.  This film is about the tragic and devastating aftermath of a giant solar flare that disables the entire worlds electrical grid.  The film shows the reaction of humans when they lack the everyday access to food and water.  The film leaves one with little hope for mankind.

Evelyn Bakon Wheeler and Actor Rob Pralgo

My friends and producers from Machete Cine in Mexico have finally arrived on the Croisette for the screening of their film "La Jaula De Oro (The GoldenCage) directed by first time filmmaker Diego  Quemada-Diez scheduled to screen May 22 in Salle Debussy Theater.  This is the same production company that produced first time filmmaker Michael Rowe who screened here in 2010 with the film "Ano  Bisiesto (Leap Year)" that won the Camera d'Or. This team of young producers, Edher Campos and Luis Salinas are making remarkable strides here at Cannes.  They have informed me that they have reserved me a spot at their screening.  Nice to have friends in high places.  I'm predicting very big things for these young men.  Stay tuned.

Getting Ready For Cannes 2013

Well the bags are packed and my tickets are printed, so I guess I'm ready to hit the red carpet in Cannes again this year. There will be a lot going on this year in Cannes with some of the biggest pictures and  the biggest names in film making appearances. I have been given the pleasure of assisting Yolonda Brinkley the visionary creator of Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes Symposium and Short Film Showcase.  This is Yolonda's fourth year hosting her symposium and the first year for her Short Film Showcase. We are trying to make some hookups for parties during the festival, which is the trickiest part of the entire festival, but we will not be deterred. We are going to get into a party in Cannes even if we have to crash one of them.

Several of my friends will be in Cannes this year.  The production company Machete Cine will be making their second appearance in three years with a new film from filmmaker Diego Quemada-Diez (La Jaula De Oro "The Golden Cage") in competition Un Certain Regard (First Film).  Their last turn in Cannes 2010 with filmmaker Michael Rowe (Ano Bisiesto "Leap Year") won the Camera d'or.  Diego Quemada-Diez is vying for the same award this year.

My friend Deborah Riley-Draper, writer, producer and director of the award winning documentary Versailles 73: American Runway Revolution (which I have been raving about since I first saw it in Cannes last year and have attended four screenings here in the U.S.)  is also returning to Cannes this year in a different capacity. Also a couple of friends I met since Cannes last year and who were enamoured by recollections of my experiences in Cannes are making the trip to see for themselves.  Linda and Dina whom I met on the Vineyard last summer will be walking the Croisette with me this year.

Evelyn Bakon Wheeler, Michael Rowe

Deborah Riley Draper, Evelyn Bakon Wheeler

66th Cannes Film Festival 2013 and my 13th Attendance

View of the Palais de Festival 2012
Credit: Festival de Cannes

View of the Palais de Festival 2011

One month from today I will wing my way to the French Riviera and my 13th Cannes Film Festival. Although the festival doesn't begin until May 15-26, I will spend some time at my place in Nice before venturing down the road to Cannes and the biggest and most prestigious film festival in the world.  It has been said that 80 percent of the world's wealth is in Cannes during the 11 days of the festival. Judging by the number of yachts in the Cannes harbor and marina, and the overwhelming number of Rolls', Bentley's, Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and any other fine automobile you can name, I would venture to say it's not far from the truth.  It's fairly easy to get rundown by a Rolls' or Bentley. Trying to board one of the yachts is not so easy and getting invited to a party aboard one of them is even harder.

This year because of my enthusiasm for past festivals, a number of people I have met are making the trek this year. I think the festival owes me for my PR work. My Cannes friend and sidekick for the past three years, Yolonda Brinkley (YRB International Exposure) is also upping her visibility at this years festival with her 4th Beyond Borders: Diversity In Cannes Filmmaker Symposium and her 1st Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and Awards (check out her web site, www.diversityincannes.com). Last year during the festival an article in the UK Guardian mentioned her Diversity in Cannes Symposium because of the number of women on the panel and why so few women filmmakers were not being featured in the overall festival. Yolonda also received a 2012 European Diversity Award nomination.

This is looking to be a pretty big festival this year with Australian director Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby"opening the festival (starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan and the musical score by Jay-Z that also features a song by Beyonce, all of whom are expected to walk the famous red carpeted stairs). You can view the movie trailer on the Video Bar in my blog.

Just announced a few minutes ago via Festival de Cannes - Page Officiele that French actress Audrey Tautou will host the opening and closing ceremonies. Last year was my first time actually attending the opening ceremony. Steven Spielberg is President of the Festival Jury this year. Remember in 2011 when Robert De Niro was President of the Jury people were mistaking me for "Madame De Niro," to my delight.

As in the past, I will be blogging here during the Festival trying to keep everyone abreast of all the happenings and fun that I am sure I will be getting into this year. Stay tuned.

See you at Nikki Beach at the 66th Annual Cannes International Film Festival May 15-25 2013

Scenes from 65th Festival de Cannes 2012

Cast of Madagascar 3, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ben Stiller
Jessica Chastain and Chris Rock
Credit: Festival de Cannes

Cast and Director of Madagascar 3, Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock
Ben Stiller, Martin Short, Jessica Chastain
Credit: Festival de Cannes

Director and Cast of Beast of the Southern Wild, Quvenzhane Wallis
Credit: Festival de Cannes

Director and Cast of Beast of the Southern Wild, Quvenzhane Wallis
Credit: Festival de Cannes

Cast of The Paperboy, John Cusack, Matthew McConaughey,
Nicole Kidman, Zack Efron, David Oyelowo, Macy Gray and Director Lee Daniels
Credit: Festival de Cannes

Cast of Red Tails, Cuba Gooding, David Oyelowo
and Director George Lucas and Mellody Hopkins
Credit: Festival de Cannes

Cast of The PaperBoy, Macy Gray, Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey,
John Cusack, Zack Efron and Director Lee Daniels
Credit: Festival de Cannes

Combined PAFF and AAFCA Awards Los Angeles

Landed in Los Angeles, Thursday, February 7, 2013 for the AAFCA Awards where my friend Deborah Riley Draper will be receiving the award for best documentary.  LA is practically in shutdown mode while the LAPD is staging a manhunt for a cop killer who happens to be a former cop himself.  No one does cop drama like LA.  The only thing to rival the LAPD is the cities hosting of the most revered red carpet events in the world.

Staying at the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard across from TCL Chinese Theatre which used to be Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre which used to be the Kodak Theatre (Do you see a trend here?) where the Academy Awards are held.  It turns out the evening is a combined Pan African Film Festival tribute and the African American Film Critics Association Awards at the Taglyan Center in Hollywood.  My party arrived for the reception and red carpet at 6:00 p.m. and there was quite a few stars who turned out for the event.  Danny Glover, Richard Rountree, Lynn Whitfield, Janet Dubois, Sallie Richardson, Jordin Sparks, Holly Robinson Peete, Omari Hardwick, Kem, David Oyelowo, Reginald Hudlin, Nate Parker (Best Actor Nominee for Arbitrage), Jesse Williams (Greys Anatomy), Emayatzy Cornealdi (Best actress nominee for Middle of Nowhere), Nicole Beharie and director Deborah Riley Draper (Best documentary).

AAFCA Award Winners:
Best Actor                      Denzel Washington, “Flight” (Paramount)  
Best Actress                  Emayatzy Corinealdi, “Middle of Nowhere” (AFFRM)  
Best Supporting Actress Sally Field, “Lincoln” (Touchstone)
Best Supporting Actor    Nate Parker, “Arbitrage” (Roadside Attractions)
Best Foreign Film           Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, “The Intouchables” (Weinstein Company)  
Breakout Performance     Quvenzhané Wallis for “Beast of the Southern Wild”
(Fox Searchlight)
Best Director                   Ben Affleck, “Argo” (Warner)
Best Screenplay             Ava DuVernay, “Middle of Nowhere”(AFFRM)
Best Music                    Kathryn Bostic & Morgan Rhodes, “Middle of Nowhere” (AFFRM)
Best Independent Film  “Middle of Nowhere” (AFFRM)  
Best Animation             “Rise of the Guardians,” (Paramount)
Best Documentary    tie   “The House I Live In” (Charlotte Street Films) &
“Versailles ’73” (Coffee Bluff Pictures) 

This is also Grammy weekend in LA so there is a lot going on.  Stars are all over the place and parties are popping up everywhere.  My hotel is a hot spot so I barely slept Friday and Saturday night because of the parties going on in the hotel including the room next to mine.  Of course that was a no no, so I called the front desk who promptly sent security to quite things down.  Turns out it was just a bunch of drunk teenage girls whose parents apparently let them loose for the weekend.  Only in LA.

Deborah Riley Draper's acceptance speech at the AAFCA Awards for her Best Documentary Award was the best of the night.  She gave a shout out to our Table 18 which gave us a chance to make some noise.  Versailles 73: American Runway Revolution comes out on VOD and DVD  February 12, 2013.  Make sure you get your copy because you need this in your black history collection.  This documentary follows the events leading up to what was coined as the "Battle of Versailles" a landmark fashion show on November 28, 1973, that pitted a fashion showdown between American ready-to-wear designers, Bill Blass, Anne Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Stephen Burrows and Halston, against five French haute couture designers, Yves St. Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior and Emanuel Ungaro.  It was also the first time African American models appeared on high fashion European runways.  The documentary recounts that event that began as a fundraiser to restore the roof of the Palace of Versailles that ended up being a complete blowout by the American designers led by the unbelievable sashaying of 12 African American models.  The runways of the world would never be the same again.

 Director of Versailles 73: American Runway Revolution, Deborah Riley Draper

 Janet Dubois, founder of Pan African Film Festival

Actress/Singer Janet Dubois and daughter

Actress Salli Richardson

Evelyn Bakon Wheeler

Actor Nate Parker

Actress Emayatzy Cornealdi star of Middle of Nowhere

Actor Jesse Williams star of Greys Anatomy

 Director Deborah Riley Draper

 Actor David Oyelowo

 Actresses Salli Ricardson and Lynn Whitfield

 Singer Jordin Sparks

 

 Actress Nicole Beharie

Hostess Salli Ricardson; Honorees Nicole Baharie, Omari Hardwick and Lynn Whitfield; Founders of Pan African Film Festival Danny Glover and Janet Dubois

See you on the next red carpet 66th Cannes Film Festival 16-26 May 2013.  

Au revoir.