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“Set in lush, picturesque grounds, the centrepiece of the Cannes party scene was a winner from the off,” journalist Chris Hewitt wrote in his . “In the main courtyard, candles were suspended from overhanging trees, a sumptuous buffet, with generous portions of lobster, steak, lamb and desserts to die for (and later, two succulent hog roasts), had the great and good affably forming a queue, while Grey Goose ice sculptures framing the packed bar.” And to wash that food down Perhaps a shot of vodka poured from the limited edition range of Grey Goose bottles produced for the festival by Jacques Garcia. Given how spectacular the setting and food were, its no wonder that stars wanted to be there. Attendees included Elizabeth Banks (Scrubs, W, Zack and Miri Make a Porno), Malin Akerman (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, The Comeback, Watchmen), Paula Patton (Hitch, Deja Vu, This Wednesday), Quentin Tarantino (right at Cannes promoting Inglourious Basterds), Samm Levine (Inglourious Basterds, Freaks and Geeks), Kevin Pollak (Middle Men, Shark, The Usual Suspects), Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow and Robb Reiner. “Just a minute,” you may say, “Who are those last two” Well, Kudlow and Reiner are the originators of the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil (below) that is profiled in the rockumentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil (starring Kudrow and ‘Lips’ and reviewed ). What’s more, according to Hewitt, they were the Grey Goose Party’s big draw. This being Cannes, there’s no telling when something will come along that tops the surreal sight of glamourous, beautiful women swarming around formerly little-known and somewhat aging Canadian rockers. Festival guests didn’t have long to wait, though. Two days after Grey Goose, Christmas came to Cannes’ Carlton Hotel thanks to a promotional display for Robert Zemeckis’ upcoming animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (we know what Scrooge would have thought of the Grey Goose Party). No mere poster display this, though. There was snow beneath the Carlton’s palm trees. But then Cannes is Hollywood’s festive season so why not spend a little more.
Michael Simpson is the Associate Editor of the film and TV website CinemaSpy.com and a freelance writer on a wide range of topics ( Home).