Forty Cannes movie festivals considered by way of one photographer’s lens By Reuters


© Reuters. When Eric Gaillard first went to {photograph} the Cannes Movie Competition in 1981, it was a smaller, extra intimate affair. Returning for his fortieth time, Gaillard finds a unique beast – bigger, extra multicultural, with extra restrictions on the place photographers

By Rosalba O’Brien

(Reuters) – When Eric Gaillard first went to {photograph} the Cannes Movie Competition in 1981, it was a smaller, extra intimate affair – the type of place the place you may see the greats from Hollywood’s Golden Age like Lauren Bacall or Ava Gardner wandering alone on the esplanade or having enjoyable on the seashore with out bodyguards.

Returning for his fortieth time, Gaillard finds a unique beast – bigger, extra multicultural, with extra restrictions on the place photographers can stand to attempt to get that viral snap or seize that second when a film star will get caught off-guard sharing an intimate smile, putting a goofy pose, or having a nasty hair day.

The 76th version of the competition, happening from Could 16 to Could 27, has seen Cannes’ typical inhabitants triple to 230,000 folks to look at movies, rub shoulders with celebrities and – in some circumstances – compete for the coveted Palme D’Or.

Gaillard, who’s retiring after this competition, was there for Reuters, snapping Michael Douglas pointing on the digital camera with a cheeky grin and a besuited Harrison Ford receiving an Honorary Palme D’Or.

He was there in 1997 when Michael Jackson was in attendance, in 2008 when Diego Maradona confirmed off soccer tips, and in 2018 when Kristen Stewart kicked off her heels on the pink carpet.

A shot from the forty eighth version of the competition in 1995 exhibits a disarmingly younger Johnny Depp, whereas a black-and-white photograph from 1987 depicts a tanned, bejeweled Liz Taylor with one-time flame George Hamilton.

More moderen images present cinemagoers carrying masks (the competition was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic however got here again the next yr with restrictions), growing numbers of girls among the many phalanxes of photographers, and attendees utilizing telephones to create their very own social media posts.

However the important glamour and fascination of the event has not modified – for the celebs, or for the journalists. Cannes is, says Gaillard, “an unimaginable expertise.”

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