FILE – In this July 6, 2021 file photo Jury president Spike Lee, second from left, poses with jury members Maggie Gyllenhaal, from left, Melanie Laurent and Jessica Hausner at the premiere of the film ‘Annette’ and the opening ceremony of the 74th international film festival, Cannes, southern France.
FILE – In this July 9, 2021 file photo Maeva Coucke poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Benedetta’ at the 74th international film festival, Cannes, southern France. As an Atlanta-based photographer who’s covered major sports, breaking news, national politics throughout the United States, Brynn Anderson says she thought all her previous experience prepared her for the Cannes Film Festival. But she was wrong.
CANNES, France (AP) — “Matt! Matt! Look over here, over your shoulder, Matt Damon!” The moment he turned with a big smile on his face, we made direct eye contact as chills ran down my spine. Bam! I captured it.
As an Atlanta-based photographer who’s covered major sports, breaking news, national politics throughout the United States, I thought all my previous experience would have prepared me for the Cannes Film Festival. But I was wrong.
This assignment was completely different. It’s completely opposite of what I normally do, screaming and shouting people’s names to look at me, is strange. My piercing high pitched voice breaks through the crowd of deeper voices and for only a second a celebrity looks at me.
Communication with the locals can be difficult because I don’t speak the language, but gestures of where to stand, where to look and where to pay, get me through. Learning a few new phrase — “Un regard par ici” (look over here), “par dessus l’épaule” (over your shoulder), “retournez vous” (turn around) — have been helpful with getting talent’s attention on the red carpet.
When I arrived in Cannes, Spike Lee’s eyes followed me wherever I would go, from a gigantic poster above the red carpet, in shop windows, bakeries, on postcards, flyers and in advertising all around town. The film festival has taken over Cannes.
