"London" calling

Of the many afternoon and evening beach parties that fill festivalgoers’ schedules in Cannes, the annual Fortissimo Films bash (usually held at the Majestic Beach near the Palais) always draws a high-profile mix of folks. This year was no exception. Hanging on the resort’s pier with company chiefs Wouter Barendrecht and Michael Werner, among others, was actress Tilda Swinton. Decked out in a shining silver dress, Swinton is starring in the leading sales company’s “The Man From London,” debuting in competition in Cannes. Making the rounds at the bash, she also stopped for a chat and a photo with Cinetic Media’s John Sloss. The dealmaker recently closed a major deal at the festival himself, selling James Gray’s “We Own the Night” to Columbia Pictures for more than $11 million. Also spotted at the Fortissimo bash on the beach were Robert Rodriguez with Rose Macgowan (in town with Tarantino’s “Death Proof”), Jim Jarmusch, and Cannes festival opening night director, Wong Kar Wai. Harvey Weinstein also made an appearance, but didn’t stay long. The mogul swiftly made his way through the bash to the dock, chatted up Jarmusch, and quickly stepped onto a small tender boat that presumably whisked him away to a yacht. (Photo and text by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE. Reprinted with permission, copyright 2007.)

05.31.2007