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Usually awash with Hollywood stars who flock to
the French city's "Croisette" promenade for the two-week
extravaganza in May, Cannes was a much quieter version of its
glamorous self, with even some major hotels deciding to shut up
shop.
But organisers said they had wanted to hold an event all the
same, despite enduring travel restrictions, to shine a light on
some films and give a boost to the cinema industry, hit hard by
coronavirus lockdowns.
"It's a reunion of friends," said Cannes Film Festival President
Pierre Lescure. The event on France's southern coast is the
world's biggest cinema showcase, and also a major market for the
industry.
Members of the public were invited to register for tickets. Four
films that would have been part of the official main competition
in May will be shown, while several short movies will compete
for a prize.
Wearing face masks, and long gowns in some cases, guests wound
their way up a red carpet to one of the auditoriums.
"We need to live in Cannes," said attendee and local resident
Arlette Destouches. "We're here for that, to live, not to fall
asleep."
Lescure said Cannes' organisers were already thinking of options
to move the festival dates next year if it could not take place
as usual in May.
"We have already planned one or two possible dates that have
been pushed back to June or July. But Cannes 2021 will happen,"
he said.
(Reporting by Michel Bernouin, Writing by Sarah White, Editing
by Richard Pullin)
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