Cannes, France – Thanks to the warm weather and sunny days, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is now well and truly under way. If you’re a fan of Hollywood royalty, especially the stunning Robert Pattinson, you’d better get down to the beach front asap.
The British actor will be gracing the red carpet throughout the festival, and on Thursday night (13May19) he is set to present an afternoon session with his Twilight co-star, Kristen Stewart. She, in turn, is set to play host to the prestigious Festival du Film Francophone de Cannes (Cannes Francophone Film Festival) on Saturday (15May19).
Although they are best known for their blockbuster films, the Twilight franchise has not been a commercial success. Pattinson and Stewart’s on-screen chemistry and passionate dedication to the roles saw the film achieve cult status, and today the actor and filmmaker live together in a dreamy villa in the south of France. It was recently revealed that they are expecting their first child together this year – an incredibly exciting prospect for the couple and their adoring fans.
Twilight Saga
The Twilight Saga is undoubtedly one of the most photographed film series of all time. Since it began in 2011, the franchise has released five films, the most recent being Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2015). The series follows Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson), a love-struck couple who are desperate to be together but are held back by Bella’s need to protect her vampire soul. She eventually gives into passion, and the couple live happily ever after. On the campaign trail, it’s not uncommon to see fans chanting, “Bella, Edward,” at sporting events featuring the couple’s likenesses on paraphernalia – their film poster gracing the walls of young Hollywood. The Twilight Saga is also famous for its depiction of vampirism. The characters are not only visually striking but also have a passion for fashion and beauty, enjoying a glamorous lifestyle and treating their bodies like temples. The Twilight stars are often fetishized, and there is a wealth of on-line material celebrating their costumes and styling. In a 2010 interview with Elle magazine, the duo admitted that they enjoy the attention: “We’re used to being objectified…I think it’s quite fun. It feels good knowing that we have fans who want to emulate us or want to look like us, which is amazing.”
Cannes Lions
Cannes is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. The International Festival of Creativity screens over one thousand films from around the world, and anyone who is anyone in the film industry schedules their calendar accordingly.
This year’s edition of the festival is dedicated to the memory of legendary fashion innovator, Cecil Beaton. The English photographer is best known for his portraits of famous people, and his elegant and iconic style graced the covers of numerous magazines, including Vogue and Harpers Bazaar. To pay tribute to Cecil Beaton and showcase his incredible work, the organizers of Cannes have curated an exhibition of his photos – The Great British Photography Of Cecil Beaton – which runs alongside the 70th anniversary film festival. The exhibition features more than 120 of the photographer’s iconic images, and to coincide with the exhibition, a selection of Cecil Beaton’s films have been reissued by the British Library as part of its ‘Classic Masters’ series.
Robert Pattinson Red Carpet Fashion
Pattinson is best known for his role as Christian Grey in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of the bestselling novel, The Grey – which also won him the coveted Golden Globe for best actor. For his part in the action flick, Pattinson sported a sleek black tuxedo with a white rose boutonnière, while his hair was complemented by striking red silk accessories. It’s fair to say that Pattinson is definitely not afraid of posing for the camera. His risqué and often controversial on-screen performances are balanced by his taste for high-end fashion. He has a penchant for designer labels and doesn’t hesitate to pay extra for quality items. A fan of luxury goods since he was a teen, Pattinson stocked his home with expensive furniture and unique artwork. Some of his favorite designers include Celine and Dior, and he is partial to extravagant shoes, too.
Kristen Stewart Red Carpet Fashion
While Pattinson enjoys a celebrity status far beyond that of his relatively low-budget indie film, Stewart remains relatively unknown. The Twilight franchise has catapulted her to international fame, and her stunning good looks and sweet persona have made her a fashion favorite for celebrities and adoring fans. The 25-year-old plays Bella in the Twilight Saga, and aside from her acting, she’s developed a fashion line, entitled BAFTA (an acronym for Bella Artistic Fashion), with fashion designer Victoria Beckham.
The self-confessed fashion novice has made a name for herself by injecting a fresh spin on traditional styles. A lover of luxurious fabrics and designer shoes, Stewart has also used her celebrity to promote sustainable fashion and raise awareness of climate change. At one of Stewart’s first press events as a fledgling designer, she sported an impressive feathered hat and a sheer dress made of feathers and sequin – a theme she would return to on the red carpet.
Exhibitions, Awards, And Parties
Aside from the film festival, Cannes also hosts numerous other cultural events throughout the year. On Wednesday night (12May19), the Salomé screen (an outdoor cinema) is set to show the timeless classic, Casablanca, for free as part of its Cinema Series. The French directorial debut of Andrés Demerest brings to life the golden era of cinema with its heart-thumping drama, intricate twists, and haunting imagery. On Friday (14May19), the Palais des Festivals presents the premiere of Grand Theft Auto, a cinematic feast that brings the decadent world of the mega-popular video game to life on the big screen.
As well as the cinema, Cannes also has a special screening room, the Gaumont Palais, which is used to show foreign and English-language films that have not been cleared for general release in France. The grand opening of this year’s edition of the Cannes Film Festival takes place on Tuesday (18May19), with the world premiere of Ralph Fiennes’ Cold War. This gripping drama, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2019, follows a former British spy who begins to question his values after spending more than a year undercover in Malawi, where he protects a doctor from assassination and covers up an act of terrorism. It marks the English-speaking debut of German director, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, and stars Academy Award nominee, Fiennes, along with Rade Serbedzija and Maria Bova.
The Cannes red carpet is a far cry from the humble beginnings of the festival. In fact, the annual event is now an international celebrity platform that has become a byword for fashion and style. Although we can’t predict what the future holds for the Twilight stars, these days, they’re more likely to grace the cover of Vogue than the small pages of a teen vampire novel.