Calay News
When Eric Gaillard attended the Cannes Film Festival for the first time in 1981, it was a smaller and more intimate event. He fondly recalls a time when Hollywood legends like Lauren Bacall and Ava Gardner could be seen strolling alone on the esplanade or enjoying the beach without the presence of bodyguards. Now, as Gaillard returns for his 40th time, he finds a transformed festival—larger, more diverse, and with stricter regulations on where photographers can position themselves to capture that viral shot or unexpected moment of vulnerability from a movie star.
The 76th edition of the festival, held from May 16 to May 27, has attracted a staggering 230,000 attendees, who gather to watch films, mingle with celebrities, and compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or. Gaillard, representing Reuters and attending his final festival before retirement, has captured memorable images of Michael Douglas playfully pointing at the camera and Harrison Ford graciously accepting an honorary Palme d’Or.
Gaillard reminisces about his experiences over the years, such as photographing Michael Jackson in 1997, witnessing Diego Maradona’s soccer tricks in 2008, and capturing Kristen Stewart kicking off her heels on the red carpet in 2018. His extensive collection also includes a young Johnny Depp at the 48th edition of the festival in 1995 and an elegant black-and-white photo of Liz Taylor adorned with jewels, accompanied by her former flame George Hamilton, in 1987.
Recent photos showcase festivalgoers wearing masks, reflecting the impact of the COVID pandemic that led to the festival’s cancellation in 2020. However, it made a comeback the following year with new restrictions. The images also reveal the increasing presence of women among the throngs of photographers and attendees utilizing their phones to create their own social media posts.
Despite these changes, the allure and enchantment of Cannes remain intact, both for the stars and the journalists. Gaillard describes the festival as an “incredible experience” that continues to exude glamour and fascination year after year.
