Cannes, city of showers stellar

» Posted by Alexander McCarnery in France Sights

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Cannes became celebrated recently – some fifty years ago. For the tourist industry, which goes back centuries – it's infancy. Until the middle of last century, Cannes was just a village of fishermen. Near the village stopped an armed camp, Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1834, the English Lord Chancellor Brouhem fled from the cholera epidemic which broke out in Italy, and stayed with the patient's daughter on the slopes of the hill Chevalier, which in French means "knight". The Lord had brought no name, full of symbolic meaning, and practical calculation and the charm of the place. When the daughter recovered, the Lord decided to establish a health resort. And in honor of his daughter built a castle and named it Eleanor. Unfortunately, this is not a pretty name became the name of the city. Preserved former, meaning "reeds," which was covered with bushes of the coast at that time. In Russia, it would correspond to the name – Kamyshova.

Rumors about the healing place quickly spread among the English aristocracy. By 1870 there already were 35 hotels and 200 villas. Surroundings of Cannes overgrown with pines and eucalyptus. These trees are known for their rejuvenating and antiseptic qualities. The mild climate, ideal for bronchial asthma and consumptive patients, has attracted many tourists here from Albion and in the north of France. Among them was Maupassant, here found his last comfort a nervous Prosper Merimee. Cannes – a great resort for the neurotic.

Apparently this is because, apart from festivals and celebrations, nothing happens. And plus to that – a calming effect of the surrounding beauty of nature, both in its natural, and the "cultivated" form. In the city of palm trees planted in 2800 and the same beds. Most of them are located on the Croisette and the like an avalanche of colorful, flowing down to the "knights" of the hill to the sea. This beauty, which eliminates the need for other ornaments and decorations, and attracted the organizers of the festival.

Exactly fifty years ago, in late September, when World War II ended, in this small provincial town organized an international film festival. The decision on its establishment, however, was made in 1939, but prevented Hitler. As soon as peace came, the French returned to the idea of ​​the festival films. This is the France – she can not long survive depression and finds ways to dispel sadness. International film festivals at the time were not yet commonplace, but still in some capitals, trying to organize something. In some film festival was obtained academic and boring, while others – the distribution of prizes wore too biased.

The first Cannes Film Festival was a success: he combined in himself the requirements of the guests and the organizers – the ease of the holiday with the seriousness of the approach to the selection of the jury movies. The resort has a pleasant pastime. In addition, we found another advantage of the organization of Film in a provincial town. The whole city was engulfed in a holiday, while indifferent to the whole of the capital, had seen everything, this event turned into an ordinary, normal thing. For the first festival was followed by a second, and soon the little town became known around the world.

Since then he has remained small in size and disappeared without a trace only the provincial center. Although proletarian origin and feel on the outskirts, in Cannes, yet there is the sophistication and scope. For the sake of rich tourists and respectable guests have luxury hotels, luxury shops, leaflets for walks. If you have a mantle of ermine, a diamond tiara, a long dress with a neckline unthinkable, Cannes is the place where the evening demonstrated similar toilets. However, the day is enough to wear white shorts and a T-shirt. Luxury restaurants not only in the fact that their menu is designed for foodies, but also in design. La Belle Otero (Belle Otero), located at the luxurious Carlton, particularly known for its dome – a copy of the famous courtesan Otero chest.

Museum in the city, only one – it's Musee de la Castre, located in the old part of town. There are Egyptian, ancient Greek collection of modern sculpture and painting. Art lovers can go to a nearby town, located just 20 minutes away from Cannes – Antibes Juan-les-Pins, where a large Picasso Museum. Nearby there is not much historical as literary-known island of Sainte-Marguerite to the Vauban fortress, which, according to legend, was imprisoned in the mask, the twin brother of Louis XIV. The mask was actually a velvet, but the filmmakers for greater expressivity remade it in iron. Go to the island by boat – and the tourist route is a success.

In August at Cannes are going to astrologers of the world – to share experiences of divination and communication with other worlds. In addition, one of the slopes is a real old observatory, now, however, closed for restoration. But the public persistently climbs the hill to its goal. The stars are always aroused interest. And a movie star, and the signs of the zodiac and other constellations.

Other historical and artistic monuments in the area were observed. But why look for some other sights, if there is the city itself and the film, which won all the major positions here.

Center of attention – of course, the Palais des Festivals, which opened in 1948, when it became clear that kinoprazdnik takes a broad international scope. For several decades, first became evident Palais des Festivals is small. And even to the direct participants, not to mention the numerous guests and the audience. To eighty years, when the festival was recognized as the most prestigious in the world, has opened a new palace. In addition, many buildings built in modern style: concrete, glass, often zazerkalennoe to take shelter in its shade from the sun. Get plenty of floors to accommodate all comers. Less expensive architectural ornaments. But all done in a manner causing an expensive resort, where the money is not considered. Or make an appearance. The new urban design, combined with old small houses in a resort-style creates an eclectic and cute image of Cannes. Outside the holiday season and festivals in Cannes – a quiet town with a population of only 70,000 people. For guests – expensive salons Chanel and Cacharel. For local residents – the shop stalls on the street Meynade and flea market on avenue Liberte. For guests – disco until dawn, night clubs and bars. Locals fall early.

Local residents in the southern temperamental, hospitable and speak with a Provençal accent. This is the subject of jokes for the Parisian snobs who bless his arrival in Cannes. But the snobs here do not look as natural as an aristocratic Nice. They are always guests. In Cannes, the main priority is not money, and talent. Nice if you can call the secular beauty, gathering in his parlor to know, Cannes – a good-natured bustling hostess. Interestingly, when the Cannes Film Festival has received great recognition at the international level, the inhabitants of Nice for several years organized a similar kinokonkurs at home and were confident that the luxury Nice and respectable, of course, will attract more interest. But it did not happen. What is the secret appeal of Cannes – is unclear. Experts expressed the view that NICE was too aristocratic and artificial, and a movie – the art of democratic, alive.

However, the Cannes film festivals are not just.

It is held every month or French international contest, competition or fair. In order to avoid the huge halls were empty, and most importantly, do not miss staff and visiting foreigners. Describe all events impossible to visit every – well, it takes just to stay in Cannes.

This year, in late February, the musicians gathered at the fifth international classical music competition. At the same time, apparently to dispel the too serious attitude guests, hosted an international festival and exhibition of puzzles and board games. They were replaced by lush tusovka fancy name of "The Eleventh Cannes musical passion", which was attended by musicians playing jazz, rock, country, and it is difficult to determinate freestyle variations. However, despite the loud and provocative name, this meeting does not have a world-wide fame as other jazz festivals. Perhaps because France is still a close musical genre singer, not daring improvisations.

In early summer, as soon as the theater season ends in Cannes from all over the world come to the artists happening Festival International de la performance dHacteur. Those who missed the first festival of classical music, can catch the second one – in the middle of summer. It is called poetically: "Musical nights Coke." Le Soquet – Coke – the old part of town, romantic, and kept the signs of old France, in contrast to the new cosmopolitan neighborhoods.

The recently completed second Cannes Film Festival theater Les Estival. After him, in early October, Cannes Film Festival hosted the Third Theatre. In late November, opened the eleventh international dance festival. Not all of these festivals, competitions and festivals have won the highest success with the public and the respect of professionals. But they have always held high. Well-known figures, if not involved, then at least there are there as guests.

In Cannes, there is always something organized purely for fun with fireworks and festivities. Yet festivals such as "Day of vernal wind" or "Tournament of tulips," as it happens in the neighboring resort towns, atypical for Cannes. More popular international professional conferences. Here, people are engaged in art and business. Sell ​​and buy TV shows on the international market in April or music albums and videos in January, the exchange of experience in the advertising business June. In the cultivated areas of the festival efficiency and professionalism. This gives a good creative spirit and desire to do something very professional at the international level.

Regular viewers come to the Festival does not watch movies. Therefore, you do not worry, if you do not have time to see everything. Even our Russian journalists complain that they can not get all three cards accreditation to get to all views. But even if they got to sit in several rooms is not possible, and to understand to what should go – too. So wait for the opinion of competent judges. Best films anyway and then pass on the big screen. It is believed that he can be trusted, despite the fact that around the festival there are frequent scandals and famous film directors (such as Nikita Mikhalkov) express an opinion on the bias of the jury.

However, there was a period in the history of Cannes, which aesthetes movie called shameful. In 1971 the festival has appeared on the screens of outright pornography. Critics raved and audiences lomilas in the halls. Directors were justified by the fact that the world is experiencing the sexual revolution, and the artist must display a reality. This went on for two years. Then pornoperiod in film was as a child's illness. And once again triumphed "high aesthetic" in the selection of candidate films and awarding prizes.

In addition to films for the audience settles a lot of rides, shows, concerts and presentations. After the festival the audience needs to feel the carnival atmosphere, chat with fans of cinema, to see a celebrity on the waterfront, and recharge the festive atmosphere, to go quietly home.

The whole city is charged with electricity of the holiday. Arousal subsides a few days. And suddenly spills into the most eccentric acts. For example, a power walk on the Croisette crowd, and suddenly the confusion, then panic, and all rushed madly away. It was rumored that at the corner of Schwarzenegger met with Stallone. To see the two titans of Hollywood talking at least from a distance, people are rushing at full speed. Or go down to the luxurious interior like a movie star Liz Taylor and buy a brooch. For the ladies crowded her. And bought up the remaining goods. First, brooches – "are the same as that of Taylor." And then all that remains. In a stunning price. In the proximity of the stars have to pay.

Many it is this closeness and attraction. In Cannes, there is a place where the sealed 120 traces of the upper and lower limbs of the great figures of the movie. What is the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of stars! However, among the visitors to Cannes are many real intellectuals to meet and talk with that – no less fun.

A lot of interesting things going on throughout the summer on the coast, which is called the Cote dHAzur – Cote d'Azur. Nice to get up more easily than we do to the opposite area of ​​Moscow, and see its worth. On its merits "i" said the 28-th issue of July 24, 1996. Also, nearby is the principality of Monaco. Do not see the Monte Carlo – a big loss, even if you are not reckless. There are international festivals, music competitions and sporting events. One of the most original – summer holiday fireworks.

Getting to Cannes easy. From Nice airport for half an hour by bus or taxi. Lovers of the exotic can fly in a helicopter or sail boat. From Paris, TGV high speed train will ride through France for just one night. With a Schengen visa, you can look at the film festival from many European countries. I, frankly, most of all wanted to get to Cannes on a sailing yacht. If we are going to meet with the cinematography, the vehicle must be romantic. Many people do so. The city harbor packed with yachts in advance.

Summer – the season when the Cannes crowded to overflowing, but advance reservations at will to live without the hassle. If someone can not wait to splurge, you can stay at the hotel next to Gere and sit at a nearby table with Spielberg.

Cannes accept and those who can not afford to overspend, but just wants to see with my own eyes the world-famous kinoprazdnik. The city has cheap hotels, "National", for example, there is a double room costs just 130 French francs per night – $ 25. However, a shower is not in the room, and on the floor.

By the way, in Cannes, at the same time you can learn foreign languages. For example, to better understand the movies. There is a special kind of course – resort, for those who love the sea, but the rest was not used. They are designed for any level student. And although there are laser discs, whole language laboratory, and in general any technical means, it is still in the program – less grammar, more practical communication, plus familiarity with French culture and traditions. In the lessons also include knowledge of the local cuisine and wines.

1. In general, if you come to Cannes, you will not regret it, but keep in mind that this is a special resort. He – for those in whom the fire of creativity. Or at least for those who consider themselves an admirer of the creative mind.
2. Additional information and order catalogs-gov (in French or English):

Cannes – (33-06) 92 986277, fax (33-06) 92 989 876,

Paris – (33-1) 42 961023, fax (33-1) 42 860 894.

Palais des Festivals (33-06) 93 392 453 (from 9.00 to 18.00).

Holiday Language Courses: (33-06) 92 194 040.

Information about student discounts (33-06) 93 685 050.