Unexpected Excitement at Cannes Event Honoring Thierry Frémaux
At a recent gathering in Cannes, guests experienced more excitement than anticipated at a party thrown by Variety to celebrate festival director Thierry Frémaux.
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Upon my arrival at the rooftop celebration held at La Terrasse by Albane, located on top of the JW Marriott, I was barely making my way through the crowd when the startling sound of shattering glass and a violent tremor beneath my feet halted me. My first thoughts were of an earthquake or a blast, as I watched guests frantically shove their companions out of the way in a bid to protect themselves.
“It was like a scene from ‘Force Majeure,’” noted director Noah Wagner, who was amused by the pandemonium among the Hollywood elite. However, some, like Michael Barker, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics, displayed commendable bravery and took immediate action.
Quick Thinking Amid Chaos
“Everyone, move to the center!” Barker yelled as he assisted me onto a nearby raised area, reinforced by an inner wall, assuring its stability compared to the precarious platform near the edge where Frémaux was scheduled to speak. While some guests fled towards the exits, a shaken publicist declared he would rather take the stairs down the five-story building than risk the elevator. Though I found his reaction slightly exaggerated, especially since the staff continued their duties undisturbed, one departing industry professional melodramatically labeled us “survivors” akin to escaping a disaster.
“Were you really that frightened if you had time to grab your Louboutin gift bag on your way out?” remarked one attendee who chose to stay. Within moments, calm was restored and Variety officials confidently moved everyone to a nearby pool area to continue the festivities. An unbothered Frémaux received his accolade, humorously declaring, “Cannes is not my Cannes. It is our Cannes,” embracing the night’s unexpected events.
Shortly thereafter, Variety’s president and co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh announced, “The bar is open. Have a great night,” to the relieved crowd.
Celebrations Continue Despite the Stir
Among those who remained to enjoy the event were Shivani Pandya Malhotra, managing director of the Red Sea Film Festival, and Lisa Taback, a prominent figure in Netflix’s awards campaign team. (This incident proved Taback’s dedication to gaining an advantage for the upcoming Oscars!)
The JW Marriott, intriguingly, stands on the former site of Cannes’ old Palais where festival premieres used to take place. It’s possible the evening’s disruptions were just the cinema deities expressing their displeasure at Frémaux’s choice to celebrate a 25-year retrospective of “The Fast and the Furious” series this year, similar to his previous tributes to classics like Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Late in the evening, Vin Diesel, dressed in a black blazer embellished with “Fast Forever,” humorously remarked on his rarity at the festival by saying, “I’m only here once in my whole life.”
My final impression from the night: Hollywood never lacks for drama—or dramatics.
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Ellis McDowell is a trend analyst with a sharp eye for spotting the next big thing in entertainment. With years of experience in digital media and trend forecasting, Nora tracks the movements of influencers, viral content, and entertainment trends. Her insights help shape the stories that captivate our audience.
