Sofia Coppola celebrated her 43rd birthday a day late (because of opening night) in a restaurant on the Croisette with fellow jury members Leila Hatami, ex-Bondgirl Carole Bouquet, Willem Dafoe and president Jane Campion. The only woman to have ever won the Palme d’Or, Campion was very vocal about the lack of women behind the camera: “I think you’d have to say there’s some inherent sexism in the industry. It does feel very undemocratic and women do notice,” she said. “Time and time again, we don’t get our share of representation.” The criticism was clearly directed at Festival head Thierry Fremoux, who chose only two films by women – out of 18 – to compete for this year’s top award. On the event circuit it was clearly female power that dominated the night: Calvin Klein designer Francisco Costa honored Julianne Moore, Rooney Mara, Naomi Watts and the lovely Lupita Nyong’o at a private villa. And Cate Blanchett presented the Trophee Chopard to upcoming talents Logan Lerman (he of ‚Percy Jackson’ and ‚Noah’ fame) and Adele Exarchopoulos, star of last year’s Palme d’Or winner‚Blue Is The Warmest Color’. The two women confessed to a mutual crush on each other. The after-party was held on the rooftop of the Hotel Martinez, where the ladies were joined by director Pedro Almodovar, Jane Fonda and Lupita Nyong’o, who couldn’t celebrate enough last night and attended three events in four hours. At the Palais de Festival meanwhile, the premiere of Mike Leigh’s new film ‚Mr.Turner’ went smoothly and concluded to much applause despite its 150 minute length. The cast preferred a small gathering afterwards over the evening’s big parties.

Elisabeth Sereda