Vivant

In our last day of class our teacher asked us to choose a word that described France to them. Everyone came up with great ones from gastronomie to pleasure. I chose the verbe "vivre" which means "to live." The french really do have this idea down to a science. They never take a moment for granted - living like they want to and not living because they have to. Never does work interfere with the time they spend with their family and friends. I saw the same 4 people at the same little kiosque everyday when it was sunny outside. They played cards, laughed, drank, ate panini's and just hung out.

My time in Cannes has taught me a lot and I'm going to be sad to leave it but know that one day I will be back here and walk through the streets thinking how crazy and unbelievable my time here has been. Every study abroad experience is incredibly unique - mine definitely has been. I just can't believe the time has passed by so fast.

For my last day in Cannes, I spent the entire day at the beach. I got stung by a jellyfish - but I didn't care, because I'm in France and it's the Mediterranean. Off to new adventures! Thanks for reading

Fete(s)

The four stagiaires and our boss Anais!
This was at the last party for the Semaine de la Critique on Friday night

Monday night was the big fete, so we walked to Palm Beach, an exclusive beach at the end of the Croisette. It was beautiful on the way there!

And the inside was gorgeous!

Before the night got packed!
So this is a picture of Yelle, a famous french singer who I happened to have known! She was in a short film.
The winner of a short film for the Semaine
Molly and I before getting on the red carpet!

That ends my chaotic time that is the Cannes film festival.
It was so much fun though! It was really like no other experience I could have ever had and I'm so glad I met the people I did. I loved working for them and it was just all in all a blast!
"You must dance" and we did!

I'm cool

So now is the time for me to freak out...
because........drum roll please....
I WALKED THE RED CARPET AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL...
TWICE!!!!!!
oh ya...that's me the first night to see "Map of the Sounds of Tokyo" in competition...
Theatre Lumiere
The cast of the film
When they came into the theater
NIGHT NUMBER 2!
My boss got us tickets both times and we were down below this time!
This is where the paparazzi normally stood - it was crazy on the night of "Inglorious Basterds"
Going up the carpet again!
A look from the steps

Molly and I inside - we saw "Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky" film by Jan Kounen

Ca va, Ca va, C'est la vie!

I have some time to write!
So...
Sunday was the BIG night at the Semaine. We had our huge opening for LASCARS which is a french animated film. I felt cool and I'm not even going to lie about it!

We had to get everyone ready for the night and all the stars, directors and producers were there which was absolutely insane. Diane Kruger is a very tiny person.

We also got to watch the movie which was probably the best part. It was hillarious! It is completely in French slang and afterwords I was talking to my boss and he said that sometimes even he had to look at the English subtitles because the slang is so deep in the "banlieu" (ghetto....kind of) that not even he got it. It was great though! Such a fun atmosphere!

Afterwords we were all hyped up wandering down the Croisette. Anais (boss #3) got us some tickets into a Columbian/Salsa party which was a blast! Lot's of salsa dancing and running around on the beach.

Monday was a big night as well at the Semaine because we had our (bigger) of the two parties that night. Molly and I walked from the Miramar to the Palm Beach and when we got there were accosted by Georges (Boss #2) running around like a madman.

When we walked in though, we got the tour from Anais and it was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! It is one of those moments where you say "are you kidding?! I can't believe I'm here!" Very swanky and invite only VIP kind of party. I feel cool. We danced all night long and didn't get home until 4am. We have another party that is smaller (only 500 people...) on Friday and that is the one that everyone apparently has a BLAST because it's the end of our part of the Festival so we don't have to worry/do anything Saturday. I'm excited!

Otherwise, I haven't slept in about a week and a half and probably wont until Saturday.
1.5 weeks in Cannes left!

I'm supposed to be leaving the 30th of May to come home but am planning my shenanigans for this summer. More to update when I know more!

Lascars = Round Da Way

My shenanigans for the past week have included - wandering around the Palais late at night in hopes of seeing famous people!
The premier of "Up" with their props
Lee Daniels, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and the other two actresses from "Precious" screening
Ya, there was an elephant - do we know why?! No...but nothing really surprises me much anymore walking down the Croisette!
It attacked the tree I was standing under
Giant transformer in front of the Carlton
Christina and I on our way to work!
The Miramar is where we are working!
Down the street from the Carlton
Semaine de la Critique carpet
Waiting inline to see "Taking Woodstock" we failed. Ali, Mark, Sarah, ME! and Stefan
The Palais on opening night!
I am not sure if you can see, but Emile Hirsch is standing at the top of the carpet!
The opening of Lascars was yesterday for our group. We had Diane Kruger there! (yes, it's her back, but its the only one I got!)
The lovely ladies I'm working with! Maddie, Molly, Me and Christina
My boss Anais and Floriane
Getting ready for the after party today!
ha, that's Quentin Tarantino eating lunch in the Carlton!

SIGHTING!

I had a failed movie attempt last night on the red carpet. BUT I was standing about 10ft away from:

Tilda Swinton
Demetri Martin
Emile Hirsch
Ang Lee

:-D

There is a last minute line that you can get into. I was standing there for an hour and was first in line BUT they had no more seats. The worst words in the world "Il n'y a plus des places." translation?
There are no more seats

Oh well. I'm off to a big premier for the Semaine de la Critique today! A lot of famous French actors are coming including Omar and Fred who are HUGEEEE comedians - think the SNL of French people. Diane Kruger as well! Also Jean Pierre Bacri who is also like the Sean Connery of French people. Pretty sweet! Afterwords I'm going to try and see "Polytechnique" at the Quinzaine de Realisateurs which is another section of the festival that I have to wait in line for.

Tuesday is also the big premier of Jim Carey's new movie "I love you Phillip Morris" which I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to go to. Hopefully!

Hello Famous People

I think it is funny how ridiculous people are!
So far my schedule has been going to work around 1pm in the afternoon - getting off at around 8:30-9pm. Rushing over to a film - trying to find tickets/invitations to the red carpet premier's or any other film. Waiting in line for hours. Getting out of movies LATE. Going out after to after parties/bars/clubs/sleep.

Or as my friends like to say "Whore yourself out to find tickets" aka flirt with anyone and everyone/look cute and stand in front of the palais. It's slightly ridiculous...but sometimes it works! My friends got into the premier of a Korean vampire movie last night on the red carpet by flirting.

and then do it again, again, again, again for the next 10 days!

I went to "Precious" last night. I stood in line for 2 hours. I got in and my friends didn't!! (I really do feel bad, but hey, I felt cool walking up at least ONE red carpet)

Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz where there. They are in the film! Including Nick Cannon (for those of you who do not know these people, it's okay, I forgive you)

It was awesome! I made friends with an old french couple. I got off work later than normal and decided to just go wait in line for the film. My friends came in about 10 people after I did so I was waiting there by myself until the older french couple in front of me became friendly (and bored). We chatted in french for another 1h30 and then they sat next to me in the theater! I do have pictures from that, but do not have time to load them yet! I promise there will be some of the chaoticness that is Cannes soon.

So as ridiculous as this post sounds - it is even more so here. Korean Vampire movie?! Flirting for tickets?! Standing in line for hours just IN CASE you can get in. This is life right now! You can make a movie out of just THIS!

Cannes has turned into Paris on CRACK

They were not lying when they said the town nearly doubles in size - I have never seen this many tourists wandering around. I really want to just yell BRAD PITT and point and everyone would freak out! I hardly recognize the city anymore, it has turned to Paris on crack.

I really enjoy my badge, it makes me (seem) very official and important so do not be surprised if I am still wearing it when I come home.

The beach areas by the Carlton and the Martinez (Brad is staying there and there are rumors the two of them are broken up?!?!! YES! Perfect timing..) they have kicked off all the topless women and set up these massive white tents for parties. I get to go to one of these parties on Sunday at the Palm Beach which is pretty shwanky. I promise not to say that while I'm there, but it's a BIG party.

BIG day of work yesterday. We had 3 screenings, one for Huacho a Chilean film and another for Rien de Personnel (Nothing Personal en anglais). It is chaotic and I forgot how much I love being behind the scenes. My boss is awesome and everyone is so nice. AND I speak french all day with the occasional English/Australian/American person coming up and asking questions. It's fantastic!

Also, I met some pretty famous french people yesterday! It is kind of funny because everyone in line was freaking out when they walked down our "red carpet" but the girls and I do not know who they are! Still pretty cool though.

No famous sightings yet but that will hopefully change. Our college got some passes to the red carpet premiere of a Chinese film yesterday so I'm hoping that I will be around for another one. I

I did go see Francis Ford Coppola's "Tetro" last night. It was absolutely amazing/beautiful/weird. I am hoping to see the Jim Carrey one soon too - "I love you Phillip Morris" and "Taking Woodstock" by Ang Lee. :-)

International Festival de Cannes

The 62nd Annual Festival de Cannes starts today.

I work in-between the two biggest hotels that house all the stars - It is absolutely chaotic downtown! There is a giant transformer in front of the Carlton.

Also - I found out yesterday at our first day of "real work" that Diane Kruger is coming to a premier at the Miramar for one of her films and apparently it is supposed to be pretty crazy! I am working at that premier too!

I also got the afternoon shift - so I am working from 2:15-8:30 everyday with a half our break in there somewhere. The big showings are at 5:30pm and 8:00pm = crazy!! It's really nice though because I can go to breakfast and lunch at the college and then get dinner on my break. Works out quite well!

A friend of mine just showed up yesterday! Kari is visiting me for the duration of the festival. She got a pass and is going downtown to get it today. I feel bad because I'm working and going to classes (kind of) during the film festival so we wont get to see much of each other - thank goodness there is a beach here she can go to!

It is so cute seeing everyone at breakfast all dressed up for their internships! I don't work until later - so I will be dressed up at lunch! I also think it is about a 2mile walk to the Miramar from my school - the buses (as we discovered yesterday) have changed their route, so I have to walk! Thank goodness women have purses, because otherwise my feet would be killing me. Putting shoes in the purse and then changing them when I get there is an amazing thing!

I will try and take pictures of everything. The big premier of "Up" is tonight - if you haven't watched the trailer I suggest you do, it is so incredibly cute.

I also feel pretty cool walking around with my BADGE and my bag downtown; not going to lie!

Semaine de la Critique

I started my internship yesterday! This is the poster of the Semaine de la Critique which I am working at!!

We had our first meeting yesterday which turned out great. We were so incredibly nervous though, all sorts of things were running through our heads! Too dressed up, not dressed up enough, we have to speak french, they are going to be awful and mean to us. It was ridiculous!

We ended up meeting them in front of the Palais du Festival - which is the big red carpet place! They took us up to Anais' apartment that she shares with some of the others and we had a petit cocktail and she talked about what are going to do. After that, the whole group came and we had dinner with all of them. We met the big boss and everything!!

I am so incredibly excited!!!!!!!!

After being incredibly nervous for the french thing and not thinking I was going to understand - everything went better than I thought it was going to. It was parfait!

We are working at the l'Espace Miramar which is in between the Carlton and the Martinez (where all the stars are). We will be receptionists during the screenings, helping out with answering questions, seating people, talking to famous french/Mexican people and going to parties!
"The smaller of the two parties is...uh..only about 500 people" - WHAT?!!?!!! That is "the smaller" of the two. Crazy crazy.

I'm getting really excited though. The festival starts on Wednesday - everyone is getting their internships. I have three friends working with Entertainment tonight, one who is actually going to be at the "Inglourious Bastards" (Quentin Tarantino) screening working at it and meeting everyone, and others who have all of a sudden needed a black tie!! It's so exciting and there is a buzz around campus that is making everyone crazy.

We have also received 25 new Americans at the college who are staying just for the festival. And everyday 150 other American film students who are working at the American Plaza (something like that...) come and hang out. It's crazyness!

I have another meeting tomorrow and then we start real work! Downtown is absolutely insanity and I will definitely have to take pictures.

George Clooney - here I come!!

Les Gorges du Verdon

Saturday was my last trip with AIFS! We went on a day trip to Les Gorges du Verdon. It was about a 2hr bus ride up north. We left around 9am and got back around 7pm just in time to talk to my parents! Armed with a bathing suit and my camera, we stopped at the Gorges du Verdon, which is gigantic cliffs of calcerous rock. There are possibilities to do a lot of different water and aerial sports.
I decided that if I couldn't jump out of a plane in Provence or hangglide over the mountains in Monaco, kayaking on the St. Croix lake would be the next best thing. (yes, I did look into all of those things...)
Definitely worth it. It is the largest of the three lakes where the tail goes into the Verdon Gorge.

Hello waterfalls! I was going against the current up river, so it was quite difficult. Many turned back! But I managed to find the waterfalls!
And then I went under one!
After that little kayaking adventure we traveled to Moustiers Sante Marie which is located in the entrance to the Verdon canyons. It is known for the earthernwear tiles. It is set on a semi-circle of rocky cliffs. There is also a church, Notre Dame de Beauvoir located at the top of the cliffs. I thought, well I had already kayaked, why not climb up cliffs too?!
It is a little hard to see - but look for the point and that is where the church is in the rocks!
It was a pretty picturesque town. Apparently it is the "plus jolie" of all the french towns.
With a fantastic view of the lake we were just at!
The vraiment old church at the top!
And the view from the church
Church!
Town
Artwork everywhere

The tree grew around the sign. I thought it was kinda cool!
Bittersweet last trip with AIFS. Next post - INTERNSHIP UPDATE!