I’ve always heard that of all the film festivals, Cannes is the one to give you everything and more. This year was extra special because it was the 60th anniversary, and I can confirm that my first Cannes experience didn’t disappoint!

From the moment I arrived, there was a definite feeling of anticipation in the air. Rumors and titbits of information about who was arriving were flying around, fed by the multitude of journalists and expectant fans.

I checked into my hotel, was nearly overpowered by the scent of Chanel No.5 swirling around the lobby and watched the yachts from my hotel balcony as they ferried in a cargo of international superstars. I knew that I would have many a tale to tell when I got home.

My first interviews of the day were not set in the usual darkened corner of a hotel room but in the lobby of one of the glitzy hotels which had been sectioned off, so that models and actresses from every corner of the globe could relax and show their Valentino dresses and Chopard jewelry off to perfection.

It was here that I got the chance to catch up with a heavily pregnant, but totally stunning, Eva Herzigova. She was one of the girls invited to open the ceremony at Cannes, along with Minnie Driver, Devon Aoki and Liz Hurley.

The rest of my day consisted of going to various parties to meet the actors and actresses for further interviews. It was at one of these that I accidentally took a wrong turn and literally bumped into Jerry Seinfeld in the men’s room. He saw the funny side and helpfully directed me to the ladies’, much to the amusement of my colleagues!

Then I met Juliette Binoche, who was incredibly charismatic, chic and engaging. She seemed so happy to be back in Cannes: not only does she see it as the place that launched her, but she is a child of the city.

After Juliette, I spoke to Jude Law (we share the same make up artist so it was nice to have an informal catch-up) and Norah Jones about their new movie, “My Blueberry Nights.” It felt so bizarre to be conducting an interview on a beach rather than in a studio, but I think I could get used to it!

I also got the opportunity to interview a selection of the world’s most gorgeous men, all in the space of an hour. Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon were great fun to speak to. They were extremely playful throughout the interview and even divulged a game they were playing amongst each other. (They had set one another a challenge to insert a random word successfully into the interview, the word in question being “Savlon" on this occasion!)

Don Cheadle and Andy Garcia were equally lovely and Elliot Gould proved to be wise and witty in equal doses.

The beauty of the Cannes film festival is that throughout the day, you can almost freeze-frame moments in time and see them as the next iconic snapshot for generations to come. I got the chance to experience everything the festival is about: I walked along the infamous red carpet, met the stars, got to board the yachts, attended the parties and watched the films in the middle of the day.

But the absolute highlight was that I got the opportunity to deliver the Palme d'Or on the final stage of its journey to Cannes from the Chopard workshop in Switzerland. Naturally, I had to take a peek: after all, this is the prize and pinnacle of what the competition entries are vying for. It probably comes as no surprise, but whoever wins it will need to reinforce their mantelpiece. It’s very, very heavy!!!!!

It's 530am and I'm sitting in the lobby of the plush Grand Hotel in Cannes with my editor James. We're trying to use the hotel's free wi-fi service to feed to the Atlanta news desk a report we've just completed on the start of Cannes Film Festival's 60th anniversary. We are confronted by the irate night porter who accuses us of trying to sleep for free in the lobby of his hotel. A prickly debate ensues in which neither party fully comprehends the other. Finally he storms off with a uniquely gallic contemptuous wave of his arm, spitting the words "Le Presse! Pah!!!" No comprehension problems with that.

We lose the internet connection. We mutter darkly that it's an act of revenge by the night manager and we haul up our equipment and trudge along Cannes' famous promenade, La Croisette, to the even more sumptuous Carlton Hotel. The staff here are much more welcoming to us as they prepare breakfast for their guests. We manage to feed our report and step back on to the promenade to find no taxis in sight and a 20 minute walk back to our apartment, carrying our gear. I have a screening to attend in three hours.

The possession of a press pass at the world's most famous film festival is no guarantee that you'll actually get to see any films. I have been promised an interview with British actor Jude Law and U.S. singer-songwriter-turned-actress Norah Jones along with the notable Chinese director Wong Kar Wei concerning his first English-language film "My Blueberry Nights." It's clearly important that I see the film before the interview so plan to arrive an hour before the screening.

To my horror, I find a long line of people stretching from the steps in front of the Palais. A very long line. Thoughts of grabbing a bottle of water or visiting the toilet to prepare for a cosy two hours watching a movie disappear with the obvious need to get in line as quickly as possible.

An hour later my neck is sunburnt and thought of water and the toilet have been an ever-present for the past 45 minutes. The adrenalin surges as the holders of the coveted pink pass (mainly on-air talent) are admitted to the 2,000-seater cinema.

After a wait during which I feel I can actually witness global warming around me, the humble blue pass (producers and wordsmiths) are admitted - but only about a hundred of us make it inside before the dreaded words are issued by security: "C'est complet!" I made the cut by just eight people.

I looked back at the confrontation blossoming behind me as three hundred lightly toasted members of the international press corps discover that their morning standing in the sun has been entirely fruitless. I imagine the Liverpool fans who were refused admission to the Champions League Final unknowingly share a common bond with this unhappy group.

As one of the lucky ones I was able to bask in my good fortune just as far as the entrance to the theatre. That was when I realised that getting inside and getting a seat inside provided another stratum of separation.

The lights were already down and through the dark I could make out silhouetted heads jostling for position and angry words exchanged in French, Italian and an Eastern European language I couldn't identify. I have never before watched a film standing up. Nor have I done so with my back to the screen looking over my right shoulder compressed between several other unseen strangers; not to mention the contrasting distractions of a full bladder and a parched throat.

After two hours of this my neck felt as if it had been dislocated and any attempt to return it to a more traditional vista met with excruciating pain, which served as an exceptional means of staying awake despite the nocturnal working hours of the previous night.

I'm not a critic but I regard it as a relatively positive measure of a film if it can sustain my interest and even invoke moments of considerable pleasure during such trying circumstances. As the credits roll I join the throng of other journalists racing for the after-screening press conference. I hear two aristocratic English voices discussing the merits of Jude Law's contribution to the film in less than flattering terms while complementing each other on their own wit and observations. The accents hint at a privileged upbringing and the tone of their conversation clearly belonged to that other privileged class - the ones who got seats!

With a derisory "Pah!" which might even have impressed the night porter of the Grand Hotel I stalk off round the corner to join the queue for the press conference.

My morning is about to take a turn for the worse as I spot the sign: "C'est Complet!"

Neil Curry

Senior Producer
The Screening Room

Labels: cannes film festival, film, movies