I was lucky enough to sit next to an American filmmaker, Kevin, and his producer, David, on the flight over. They had a short film in the emerging filmmakers showcase at the American pavilion. We all got to know each other very well over the next 15 hours.
The first two days of my trip I stayed at a small hotel in Nice, although old town Nice is lovely, Nice is a 40 minute drive from Cannes. I took an airport shuttle into Cannes the first day for a panel on producing at the Jordan pavilion. Although I was virtually cooking outside for the entire thing it was an interesting conversation to listen to and I was able to meet and talk with some producers who have been in the business for a long time. I met and English filmmaker and her music producer boyfriend at the that panel and we ended up going to a party at the American pavilion that night. When it was clear I'd missed the last shuttle back to nice, they kindly let me crash at their flat for the night.
The next day I checked out of my hotel and hauled my things back to Cannes to meet up with my director Brett, in order to crash on his couch for the next few days. While sitting at s cheering enjoying wine and chocolate I met s lovely South African filmmaker and her Romanian editor and we chatted for long time. Brett showed up and we hauled my overstuffed suitcase into a delightfully rickety French elevator and into his Airbnb.
I ventured out alone that night in a cocktail dress and heel hoping to find a party I could talk my way into. Party invitations are closely guarded things here, second only in importance to distribution deals. If you make it on to a yacht you are a magician. It was disheartening experience and I almost gave up and went back to the apartment, the but the English filmmaker, Emma, invited me to to sneak into the hotel majestic bar with her. The three of us did and I had my first Manhattan. It was glorious.
Tuesday I awoke and after wandering around Cannes for an hour trying to pick a breakfast place, finally choosing one and eating, I went to the American pavilion for the screening of his film along with several others. The film was called Cora and was the story of his grandmother surviving racism and domestic abuse in Memphis in the 50's. It was a beautiful film, along with many of the others, and I was lucky enough to spend most of the day at the American pavilion hanging out with Kevin and his lead actress Latarsha. At the reception afterwards I had conversations with so many interesting people and business cards were doing a heavy trade. The American pavilion is one of a line of tents that boarders the beach, so there we all were chatting, eating French food, and looking out on the ocean.
Last night Brett and I were sitting down to eat at randomly chosen restaurant when I heard music drifting up the street and recognized the voice. I leapt up and ran down the alley after the voice and found the busker playing. It was Amy May. Amy is a singer songwriter based in LA who I discovered playing on the 3rd street promenade two years ago and have been listening to ever since. I went up to talk to her between songs and she was so delighted that I'd found her here 5000 miles from our home. She asked me what my favorite song of hers was and then played it for me. It was a wonderful moment of kismit.
I will write about the last two days more in detail soon. I've had less free time than I would've expected here. There has been no swimming as of yet in the beautiful blue sea.
This place, this event, is a strange things. It can make you feel connected to your fellow artists and absolutely alive, or small pointless and no one, much like the film industry itself.
I'm glad I came though
Yours truly,
Drama queen
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