You know you’re at the Cannes Vanity Fair party when you turn around and a newsboy-capped Leonardo DiCaprio is in deep conversation about the environment, and Tobey Maguire is chatting up Kate Hudson, resplendent in a gorgeous red gown.
That’s what it was like last night at the famed Hotel du Cap, which Graydon Carter’s team took over with Chopard. It was very dramatic– they lit all the towering trees around the pool. With the waves of the Mediterranean splashing against the rocks, and yachts bobbing on the water, a smoky dark blue ink sky– and yes, Mick Jagger working all the rooms.
Trudie Styler, producer of Sunday’s premiere movie “American Honey” was getting the first press reviews– all good, even great– and hanging with old pal Russell Crowe. They were tucked into a corner with Hudson, Jodie Foster and her girlfriend, while Joel Edgerton, looking ever the the movie star in a tux, introduced me to a bunch of friends. Just the usual Saturday night!
Freed from the jury room, so to speak, Kirsten Dunst told me she had to see 21 films so she didn’t have time for “The BFG,” which isn’t in competition. We were lucky that the movie’s star, Mark Rylance, recent Oscar winner, didn’t overhear us. But he was busy accepting accolades from everyone who’d come up from Cannes and the Spielberg red carpet premiere. (Huge ovation, by the way, the biggest so far.)
Kendall Jenner was there– but I was told an exception was made for her because her father now-Caitlyn Jenner– had been on the Vanity Fair cover. “Otherwise no Kardashians are allowed here,” an observer said. “She’s a Jenner.” Well done. Kendall was busy inside the party posing model-like for a photographer as if she were on a shoot. Her hair blew in the breeze as she cocked her head back. I don’t think she knows any other activity, like cocktails and small talk.
I ran into Colin Firth and his smart, beautiful wife Livia– who couldn’t stay as long as they liked after dinner. “We’re double booked at another event in Cannes!” said the impeccable Colin. And just around that time there was a swirl of stars from Faye Dunaway to Salma Hayek, Chloe Sevigny, Petra Nemcova and so on.
