For twelve days the beautiful and talented descended on the French riviera for one of the most anticipated events in the film industry's calendar.
From the offset it's been a unique festival, with the jury - led by president Jane Campion, the only woman to win the Palm d'Or in the festival's 67 year history - boasting more women than men. Campion called out the "inherent sexism" in the industry at the opening press conference, stating that the industry is "very undemocratic and women do notice that time and time again." As more and more women start to speak out hopefully change can start to finally sweep through the industry. It's an issue I've always been aware of - it's not exactly hard to miss - but I've been paying a lot more attention to the lack of women in influential roles in the film industry recently and it's getting me more and more annoyed. It's a topic for another blog post entirely, but given how Campion decided to tackle it head on from the beginning, it's definitely worth mentioning.
Jury (L-R):Willem Dafoe, Leila Hatami, Nicolas Winding Refn, Carole Bouquet, Jane Campion, Do-yeon Jeon, Sofia Coppola, Zhangke Jia and Gael Garcia Bernal.
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
There were many stand out moments from the festival, from a tank rolling down the Croisette overflowing with pensioners advertising the Expendables 3; to a "joker" (appalling description in the press) climbing under America Ferrera's dress at the How to Train Your Dragon 2 premiere; to Ryan Gosling's highly anticipated directorial debut Lost River and opening film Grace of Monaco falling like lead balloons with terrible reviews.
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.telegraph.co.uk)
One of the most popular films of the festival and hotly tipped for major success in awards season was Mike Leigh's Mr Turner. Leading man and one of Britain's best character actors Timothy Spall took home the Best Actor award for his performance as artist JMW Turner. He's garnered universal critical acclaim for his turn in the role, and in a touching acceptance speech he joked "I've always been the bridesmaid. It's nice to be the bride."
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.heyuguys.co.uk)
Other highlights included Foxcatcher, Bennett Miller's (winner of the Best Director award) psychologically searching sports drama with career best performances from Steve Carrell, Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum. I'm extremely excited to see: Marion Cotillard in Two Days, One Night; Palm d'Or winning film and three and a quarter hour long Turkish epic Winter Sleep; Kristen Stewart attempt to break away from the cringe-worthy Twilight franchise with Clouds of Sils Maria; and David Cronenberg's Maps to the Stars featuring Best Actress winner Julianne Moore. There are clearly lots of excellent films on the horizon.
With so many red carpet premieres, press conferences, photo calls and special events there were endless examples of outstanding fashion. I've somehow narrowed it down to my favourites, but there were simply hundreds of amazing looks so make sure to check out Vogue's best dressed here with a much more comprehensive list.
BEST DRESSED: BLAKE LIVELY
Lively didn't put a foot wrong during the entire festival and totally owned the red carpet every single day she graced it with her presence.
(L-R)
Grace of Monaco premiere // May 14th 2014 // Gucci Première gown with Lorraine Schwartz jewellery and Casadei heels
Appearance on Grand Journal // May 15th 2014 // Giambattista Valli Couture dress with Stuart Weitzman heels
The Captive premiere // May 16th 2014 // Gucci Première gown with husband, Ryan Reynolds (also wearing Gucci)
(IMAGES SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
These 3 looks were undoubtedly stunning, but for me, this next one deserved all the awards. At the Mr Turner premiere on May 15th Lively teamed her trademark tousled waves with a beautiful Chanel couture S/S14 dress, Sophia Webster heels and Lorraine Schwartz jewellery. Lively was born to wear Chanel (à la Serena van der Woodson…) and here she expertly encapsulates the sophistication and glamour of Cannes. Utter perfection.
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
NOTABLE MENTION: LEA SEYDOUX
Saint Laurent press conference & premiere // May 17th 2014
Prada
(IMAGES SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
NOTABLE MENTION: MARION COTILLARD
L'Homme Qu'On Aimait Trop premiere // May 21st 2014
Dior gown with Christian Louboutin heels and Chopard jewellery
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
ZOE SALDANA
Grace of Monaco premiere // May 14th 2014
Victoria Beckham A/W 2014
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
CATE BLANCHETT
Trophée Chopard event // May 15th 2014
Valentino pre-A/W 2014 gown
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
JULIANNE MOORE
Mr Turner premiere // May 15th 2014
Custom-made Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
NAOMI WATTS
How to Train Your Dragon 2 premiere // May 16th 2014
Custom-made Marchesa gown with a Bulgari diamond necklace
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
RYAN REYNOLDS
The Captive press conference // May 16th 2014
Brunello Cucinelli
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.gq-magazine.co.uk)
EVA GREENE
The Salvation premiere // May 17th 2014
Elie Saab Couture gown (A/W 14 collection)
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
MIKA
Saint Laurent premiere // May 17th 2014
Valentino
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.gq-magazine.co.uk)
JENNIFER LAWRENCE
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One press conference // May 17th 2014
Dior Couture
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
JESS WEIXLER
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby press conference // May 18th 2014
Honor
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
FREIDA PINTO
The Homesman premiere // May 18th 2014
Oscar de la Renta gown with Jimmy Choo shoes
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
MIA WASIKOWSKA
Maps to the Stars premiere // May 19th 2014
Custom-made Louis Vuitton gown
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY
Magnum short film presentation // May 20th 2014
Victoria Beckham S/S 2014 dress
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
MATT SMITH
Lost River press conference // May 20th 2014
Shirt and blazer by Tom Sweeney
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
RYAN GOSLING
Lost River press conference // May 20th 2014
Burberry
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)
PAZ VEGA
Closing Ceremony and A Fistful of Dollars screening // May 24th 2014
Ralph & Russo Couture
(IMAGE SOURCED FROM www.gettyimages.com)
So which were your favourite looks from the festival? Are there any films you saw or heard about that I should add to my list of ones to watch when they come out? Let me know in the comments or drop me a tweet!
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