Festivals

The familiar with a twist. Ladies are foregoing petticoats, women are baring more, and peach appeared in shoes and clothes.

: Blame global warming – Cannes 2017 is summery and sunny. A great reason for stars to show some skin, play with color and experiment with shoes of all styles.

You never know who might stop by the HFPA lounge in Cannes. Today it was none other than ex-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The weather is sunny and warm, sunscreen is an item in hot demand and the HFPA is headquartered on the beach - Nikki Beach, to be exact, on the sand across the Croisette. The first weekend rolled in, in full force, signaling that the midpoint of the festival is within reach, and that favorites and trends will soon take over the conversation.

Yes, the red carpet is nothing to take too seriously – it’s the work that counts – so laugh it up baby!.

It took Cannes over 40 years to recognize the work of women behind the camera - Jane Campion took the spot with The Piano in 1993. And now they're everywhere: this year the contingent of women directors, producers and lead actresses is, as the French say, incontournable.

Cannes is aspirational - the blend of unadultered Riviera douceur and Hollywood glamour creates a unique experience for novice and experienced festivalgoer alike. The small city - population 73,000 - changes with the influx of the show business travelling circus and the cohorts it drags around, and it has changed even more in the last couple of years, with heavier security everywhere.

Who wears the trousers? Women do – it’t he new trend at Cannes. Plus primary colors and a sense of élan.

At 70, the Cannes Film Festival – opening today with the gala screening of Arnaud Desplechin’s Ismael’s Ghosts - feels as young and fresh as ever. There’s a notable presence of works from young filmmakers, from the US’ Sean Baker, of Tangerine fame, in the Directors’ Fortnight with his newest, The Florida Project, to France’s Arthur de Pins, directing an animated featured based on his comic book series Zombillenium.

The opening gala of the 70th Cannes Film Festival made a strong style point - there was color on the Palais red carpet, yes, but the nudes/fairy tale flounces trend that started at the Golden Globes is still hot hot hot.  .