This past week has been a whirlwind of so many new and exciting things! The film festival has been incredible…I’ve seen some great films and some that I’m still unsure about. Right now, my life basically consists of waking up, taking the train into Cannes, going into dark theatres (with EXTREMELY comfortable seats) in the Palais and losing myself in movies all day. At night, I hold a sign asking for extra tickets to the red carpet premieres and so far I’m 2 for 2 :).

The festival kicked off on Monday night with Robin Hood in the Lumiere – the largest theatre in the Palais. I was standing there holding my “Invitation pour ROBIN HOOD si vous plait!” sign and had almost given up hope of getting a ticket when a random French man asked me if I wanted to be his date to the premeire. I know what you’re thinking…that sounds sketchy. Don’t worry -- that’s just the way things are here!

I walked with him to the red carpet and almost had a heart attack. Techno music was blaring over the loud speakers as a sea of paparazzi flashed pictures of all the celebrities we were about to walk past. My ankles felt wobbly and I was just concentrating the whole time on not falling on my face on the red carpet. When we finally got to the top of the stairs, I turned around and looked at all of the glitz and glamour going on behind me… I had more butterflies in my stomach than I can remember having in a long time. After we got to our seats in the balcony, I ditched the French dude and found my friends. Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett walked in the theatre with the rest of the cast and directors and everyone stood for a long applause. It was surreal to be in the same theatre as such huge celebrities.

The movie itself was pretty good…not great. I thought Cate Blanchett did a fantastic job with her role though. After the movie, we all got on a train to come back to Juan les Pins and ended up in Antibes. It was pretty miserable walking back to Juan, but the whole night was so amazing that I couldn’t be too upset.

Tonight’s premier was Wall Street (with Shia Labeouf, Carey Mulligan and Michael Doulglass.) I really liked it! It probably had more to do with Shia than anything… I just love him. I would definitely recommend seeing it when it comes to the states.

I absolutely LOVE the people on the study abroad with me…I feel like I’ve known them a lot longer than just a week! We’ve had fun going out to the pier at night and drinking cheap wine. The people at the front desk have threatened to call the cops on us twice now, or at least that’s what we think they were saying. We’ll see if they’re serious.

FOOD IS AMAZING HERE!!! I could write a whole separate blog entry about the bread and cheese alone. More on that later! I should get to sleep… big day of more movies tomorrow!!!

Bonsoir!

I’M IN FRANCE!!!!!!!!! I can’t believe I’m actually here. We just got in a few hours ago and I’m already in LOVE. French is the prettiest language in the world. I could just listen to French people talk all day and be so happy.

The flight to London got delayed a little while because we had to fly around the volcanic ash, but they gave us yummy food so it was alright. I sat next to the cutest British couple and talked to them about London...it got me REALLY excited for my internship! When we got to London we had already missed our connection flight but there was another flight leaving in only 45 minutes... how perfect :).

I just moved into my apartment and 7 of us girls went out to dinner at a place called La Bomba! They have delicious pizza and Italian food... my pizza reminded me of Little Italy in Athens! Our waiter had some sassy ribbons in his hair... we all loved it. The rooms we're staying in have such a pretty view! I’m extremely jet-lagged and delirious… but I’m going to try and stay awake as long as possible so I can get used to this time difference. I’M IN FRANCE!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!

First Post and Film Review!

THREE MORE DAYS!!!!! I couldn’t be more excited for Cannes!!! Before we know it we’ll be settling into our apartments overlooking the beach and enjoying the French sunshine… which is probably even better than American sunshine. I currently only know about 10 french words…ok 5…but I’m hoping to become fluent on the plane ride so it’s fine :). I have no idea what to expect and that’s what is most exciting to me! I also have no idea how I’m supposed to “pack light” for a 2 ½ month trip. That is going to be impossible.



For my first film review, I chose to watch The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. This movie absolutely tore me apart and was so eye-opening. You all should go see it. Anyways, here's my review:


The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is as moving as it is haunting. This film based on the novel by John Boyne is an account of the Holocaust from a very unusual perspective. Bruno (Asa Butterfield) is the eight-year-old son of a decorated Nazi soldier in Berlin when his father (David Thewlis) gets promoted to a new job in the country. After the family moves, Bruno can’t help but wonder about the “farm” surrounded by electric fences that he sees out of his window.


He is desperate for a friend to play with and sneaks off to the “farm” where he meets Schmuel (Jack Scanlon), a jewish boy on the other side of the barbed wire. Bruno comes to visit Schmuel every day, bringing food to him whenever he can and playing games through the fence. The two boys realize their friendship is forbidden, but Bruno doesn’t see a bit of the “evil” that he hears his father talk about with other Nazi soldiers. He witnesses some of the horrible things done to the kind people he has met and begins to question the Nazi doctrine that’s been forced down his throat. His father is looked up to as a hero, but now Bruno isn’t so sure.


Bruno doesn’t know why his friend is behind the barbed wire fence, but every step he takes he gets closer to discovering the truth and losing his wide-eyed innocence. When he realizes Schmuel is in trouble, he vows to do anything to help -- even if that means putting on “striped pyjamas” himself and entering the concentration camp.


The director, Mark Herman, does a beautiful job of telling this chilling story in a way that makes you lose yourself in it. The gloomy lighting and hardly saturated colors capture the somber mood throughout the film, in addition to the perfectly chosen soundtrack throughout. The acting was remarkable, especially considering these 8 year old boys were cast in such heavy roles. The rawness of the relationships between the characters and a disturbing ending that ensured silence until the final credits rolled makes this a film I can’t stop thinking about.