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Cannes: From Class to Crass

Festival has more alcohol, drugs, sex than films

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2009 10:38 AM CDT

(Newser) – The name “Cannes” once conjured up images of Hollywood glamor and French sophistication, but no more. The film festival has turned into a marathon of binge drinking and sleazy sex, attended by high-heeled, fake-tanned partiers who are “not interested in the films, only the party scene,” one tells the Daily Mail. “During the festival it’s all sex, sex, sex,” frowns a local.

Cannes fêtes, once hosted by movie studios, are now thrown by liquor brands. Instead of drawing A-list celebrities—who nowadays leave Cannes as fast as they can—the parties are places where scantily clad women can be found stripping or seducing rich men. “When I used to attend the festival it was so chic and glamorous,” says one veteran. “Now it seems to be full of riff-raff.”

Paris Hilton arrives Monday at the Hollywood Domino party hosted by Akvinta during the 62nd International film festival in Cannes, France.
Paris Hilton arrives Monday at the Hollywood Domino party hosted by Akvinta during the 62nd International film festival in Cannes, France.   (AP Photo)
Actress Pamela Anderson arrives for a party during the 2007 Cannes fest.
Actress Pamela Anderson arrives for a party during the 2007 Cannes fest.   (AP Photo)
Melanie Laurent attends the Inglourious Basterds after-party at Baoli during the Cannes Film Festival yesterday.
Melanie Laurent attends the "Inglourious Basterds" after-party at Baoli during the Cannes Film Festival yesterday.   (Getty Images)
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This is what I came to Cannes for. - Eric, who spent more than $6,000 on champagne during an impromptu champagne-spraying competition at a Cannes party

During the festival it's all sex, sex, sex. Especially on the yachts, where there is always lots of group sex. But then that's what billionaires like to spend their money on. - Andrew Gray, Cannes resident

It used to be much more classy. Now it's a younger crowd just come here to party. It's upsetting because the festival is supposed to be about film, and it once was. - Lars Spid, ten-year Cannes attendee

This place is utterly debased—only people who want to do drugs or find someone to have sex with could possibly enjoy it. You'd have to be off your head even to stay long inside the main room.
- Film producer Robert Stein-Rostaing

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