Page 32 - HOH

a30 people & arts
Wednesday 13 May 2020
Cannes is empty, the day the film festival should have begun

By THOMAS ADAMSON and place. "There is no more
DANIEL COLE work at all. We don't know
Associated Press at all when things will re-
CANNES, France (AP) — The sume," Dambrine said.
stars of Cannes Film Festival Since March, the local
have stayed home, its pres- government repurposed
tigious grounds repurposed the festival's building com-
as a homeless shelter, and plex as a shelter for home-
the beaches closed. less. Every day, dozens of
The French Riviera resort of the formerly destitute can
Cannes would normally be be seen walking behind
abuzz with cinema glitterati a fenced off area, where
on a Tuesday such as this journalists were once used
— scheduled as the open- to interviewing the likes of
ing night of the annual fes- Marion Cotillard.
tival — but during the time Shops started reopening on
of coronavirus, it is a ghost Tuesday, with some high-
town. end boutiques such as Val-
The world's biggest film entino and Saint Laurent set
festival was canceled this to open their door again,
year for the first time since but the mood is still gray.
World War II. The famous Martinez hotel,
A couple of mask-wearing where many of Cannes'
residents sit on the edge Two women sit above the deserted Croisette beach due to measures put in place to stop the stars stay during the 12-day
of the empty promenade spread of the coronavirus in Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 12, 2020. event, will remain closed for
to catch the morning sun, Associated Press at least one more month.
dangling their feet above instead. ined something like this. (financial) loss. The festival Fremaux has expressed
the sand and next to an "I'm overcome with a great Who could foresee that so represents a large part of pessimism about the im-
"Access and Swimming sense of melancholy and many countries around the our annual revenues so it's mediate future of the film
Prohibited" sign. An elderly nostalgia," Cannes Dele- world would be caught out very serious problem," said industry, but said it would
group play petanque qui- gate General Thierry Frem- by the epidemic?" Joseph Rappa, owner of a rebound.
etly next to the deserted aux told Screen Daily about Yet, while the cancellation snack-vending kiosk. He said the cancellation
roads. And on Tuesday, this unprecedented week. represents a blow to the For others, it's even worse. of this year's events won't
on the iconic billboard re- "Cannes has only ever movie stars and directors it Pierre Dambrine works stop the festival recogniz-
served for each year's festi- been cancelled once, due serves, it has also devastat- building film stands inside ing 2020's film talent -- and
val poster, a large message to the Second World War, ed the legions of businesses the Palais des Festivals, the Cannes organizers will an-
of "THANK YOU" for corona- and stopped once, in May and unsung subcontractors retro building complex in nounce an Official Selec-
virus emergency workers '68. that rely on the festival. which the screenings and tion for this year at the be-
was installed symbolically, "I could never have imag- "For us, it's really a very big awards ceremonies take ginning of June.q

Telethon raises $115M for New

Yorkers impacted by COVID-19

The one-hour benefit was others performed a rendi- opportunity through a
presented by the New tion of Frank Sinatra's clas- sweepstakes for one fan
York-based poverty fight- sic song "New York, New to play a game of touch
ing organization, Robin York." Lopez introduced football with the players in
Hood, and iHeartMedia. PS22 Chorus, a collection their own backyard and
Robin Hood said all the of New York elementary get a Super Bowl ring. The
donations will provide sup- school students who sang winner of the sweepstakes
port for food, shelter, cash Andra Day's "Rise Up." and three friends will have
assistance, mental health, "New York, I know your a chance to play against
In this Nov. 21, 2019, file photo, actress Tina Fey attends the legal services and edu- strength," said Lopez, a the players.Other musical
American Museum of Natural History's 2019 Museum Gala in cation. "If you had break- New York native. performances included
New York.
Associated Press fast today, you are better Spike Lee shared encour- Sting's "Message in a Bot-
off than 2 million of your aging words that sports tle" and Bon Jovi's "It's My
NEW YORK (AP) — Tina Fey lebrities from Barbra Strei- neighbors who woke up would return someday Life."For most people, the
shed tears after announc- sand, Jennifer Lopez and hungry," Fey said. soon. Streisand and Au- coronavirus causes mild or
ing that more than $115 Michael Strahan asked Mariah Carey performed dra McDonald showed moderate symptoms, such
million was raised toward for donations to help relief her 1992 song "Make It the same optimism about as fever and cough that
supporting New Yorkers and recovery efforts. Happen." She sang while New York City's Theater clear up in two to three
impacted by COVID-19 "Our city is under attack, her backup singers and District coming back weeks. For some, especial-
during a virtual telethon. but we've been here be- pianist performed on sep- "stronger than ever" after ly older adults and people
"Thank you, thank you," fore," Robert De Niro said. arate screens to the up- being closed due to the with existing health prob-
said a tearful Fey, the host "In the last 20 years, both beat tune. "We can make pandemic lockdown. lems, it can cause more
of the Rise Up New York! 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. it through this together," New York Giants greats severe illness, including
event Monday evening. You can take your best Carey said. Lin-Manuel including Strahan, Eli Man- pneumonia, and death.
The Emmy-winning actress shot but you cannot break Miranda, Cynthia Erivo, Id- ning, Phil Simms and Jus- The vast majority of peo-
along with other A-list ce- our spirit." ina Menzel, Ben Platt and tin Tuck announced an ple recover.q