Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy delivers a video address at the The 75th Cannes Film Festival France, May 17, 2022. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
When Eric Gaillard first went to photograph the Cannes Film Festival in 1981, it was a smaller, more intimate affair - the kind of place where you could see the greats from Hollywood's Golden Age like Lauren Bacall or Ava Gardner wandering alone on the esplanade or having fun on the beach without bodyguards.
Returning for his 40th time, Gaillard finds a different beast - larger, more multicultural, with more restrictions on where photographers can stand to try and get that viral snap or capture that moment when a movie star gets caught off-guard sharing an intimate smile, striking a goofy pose, or having a bad hair day.
Actor Angelina Jolie arrives for the screening of the animated film "Kung Fu Panda" at the 61st Cannes Film Festival May 15, 2008. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
The 76th edition of the festival, taking place from May 16 to May 27, has seen Cannes' usual population triple to 230,000 people to watch films, rub shoulders with celebrities and - in some cases - compete for the coveted Palme D'Or.
Gaillard, who is retiring after this festival, was there for Reuters, snapping Michael Douglas pointing at the camera with a cheeky grin and a besuited Harrison Ford receiving an Honorary Palme D'Or.
He was there in 1997 when Michael Jackson was in attendance, in 2008 when Diego Maradona showed off soccer tricks, and in 2018 when Kristen Stewart kicked off her heels on the red carpet.
Actors Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt arrive for the screening of Wolfang Petersen's "Troy" at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, May 13, 2004. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
A shot from the 48th edition of the festival in 1995 shows a disarmingly young Johnny Depp, while a black-and-white photo from 1987 depicts a tanned, bejeweled Liz Taylor with one-time flame George Hamilton.
More recent photos show cinemagoers wearing masks (the festival was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic but came back the following year with restrictions), increasing numbers of women among the phalanxes of photographers, and attendees using phones to create their own social media posts.
But the essential glamour and fascination of the occasion has not changed - for the stars, or for the journalists. Cannes is, says Gaillard, "an incredible experience."
Actor Jean Pierre Leaud poses while promoting the film "La Mort De Louis XIV" (The Death of Louis XIV) at the 69th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 19, 2016. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
(Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Richard Chang)
A street cleaner uses an old-fashioned broom to sweep the sidewalk as workman put a billboard into place during preparations for the start of the 51st Cannes Film Festival, France, May 12, 1998. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Workmen use ladders as they prepare the sign above the doors to the Festival Palace ahead of the start of 56th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 12, 2003. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Director Emmanuelle Bercot poses during a photocall for the film "La tete haute" out of competition before the opening of the 68th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 13, 2015. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard A man dressed as Charlie Chaplin walks on the beach during the 65th Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, France, May 17, 2012. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Christophe Lambert looks surprised as Emmanuelle Seigner (L) and Stefania Rocca (R) kiss him on the cheek during a photo call for Italian director Gabriele Salvatore's film "Nirvana" at the the 50th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 13, 1997. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Director Michael Moore holds the Palme d'Or for his documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" during the 57th Cannes Film Festival, May 22, 2004. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Director Quentin Tarantino laughs with actor Uma Thurman (L) as they promote their film 'Kill Bill Vol. 2' at the Cannes Film Festival, France, May 16, 2004. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Photographers surround Michael Jackson as he arrives for the midnight screening of his movie short "Ghosts" at the 50th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 8, 1997. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Woody Harrelson (C) is held by director Michael Cimino (L) and actors Alexandra Tydings (2nd R), Jon Seda (R) as they arrive for the screening of their film "Sunchaser" at the 49th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 18, 1996. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Sharon Stone arrives for the screening of British director Peter Chelsom's film "The Mighty" at the 51st Cannes Film Festival, May 21, 1998. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard A guest is seen on the red carpet through a rain-covered tarp at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, France, May 20, 2019. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Penelope Cruz waves as she leaves the screening of Pedro Almodovar's film "Volver" at the 59th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 19, 2006. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Kristen Stewart removes her heels on the red carpet at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, France, May 14, 2018. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Reuters photographers Eric Gaillard (L) and Jean Paul Pelissier (R) prepare to photograph the red carpet during the 62nd Cannes Film Festival May 14, 2009. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
Actor Johnny Depp waves to end a photo call for director Jim Jarmusch's film "Dead Man" at the 48th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 27, 1995. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Elizabeth Taylor pins a red ribbon on Sylvester Stallone's tuxedo during the Cinema for AIDS evening at the 46th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 20, 1993. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Guests arrive for the screening of the French film "La Cite des Enfants Perdus" by co-directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro at the 48th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 17, 1995. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Photographers encircle model Eva Herzigova during a photo call on the beach near the Carlton Hotel at the 49th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 11, 1996. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy delivers a video address at the The 75th Cannes Film Festival France, May 17, 2022. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard A fan sits on a step ladder to guard their spots in front of the Festival Palace before the start of the 67th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 12, 2014. The festival will run from May 14 to 25, 2014. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Workers set up a giant canvas of the official poster of the 67th Cannes Film Festival featuring actor Marcello Mastroianni on the Festival Palace in Cannes May 12, 2014. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Michael Douglas poses before being awarded with an honorary Palme d'Or prize during the opening ceremony of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 16, 2023. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Director Ramata-Toulaye Sy attends the press conference for the film "Banele e Adama" (Banel & Adama) at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 21, 2023. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Cannes Film festival President Pierre Lescure stands next to a stormtrooper on the red carpet of the 71st Cannes Film Festival, France May 15, 2018. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Fans take photographs of red carpet arrivals for the screening of the film "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" at the The 76th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 18, 2023. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actors Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman and director Wes Anderson (L-R) arrive for the screening of the film "Asteroid City at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 23, 2023. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Harrison Ford poses with his Honorary Palme d'Or Award at the The 76th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 19, 2023. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard People enjoy a beach front cinema screening at the The 74th Cannes Film Festival, France, July 10, 2021. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Late director Agnes Varda is seen on a screen during her tribute ceremony at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, France, May 14, 2019. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Nicole Kidman signs autographs while promoting the film "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" at the 70th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 22, 2017. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Football player Diego Maradona plays with a ball while promoting the film "Maradona by Kusturica" at the 61st Cannes Film Festival, France, May 20, 2008. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Elizabeth Taylor and George Hamilton arrive at the 40th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 13, 1987. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Pierce Brosnan poses as he promotes the James Bond film "Die another day" at the 55th Cannes film festival, France, May 18, 2002. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Morgan Freeman poses as he arrives on the red carpet for Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's film "Sin City" at the 58th Cannes Film Festival May 18, 2005. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Aishwarya Rai poses on the red carpet at the 70th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 19, 2017. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Actor Nicole Kidman arrives for the screening of British director John Boorman's "Beyond Rangoon" at the 48th Cannes Film Festival, France, May 19, 1995. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard "Harry", President of the jury for the Palm Dog Awards 2005, poses at the annual awards ceremony during the 58th Cannes Film Festival May 20, 2005. Reuters Photographer Eric Gaillard first photographed the festival forty years ago. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
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