• June 08, 1998
• Vol. 49
• No. 22

Fete Loose

At the Cannes Film Festival, Celebs Plug Their Work—and Party into the Oui Hours

Maybe it was jet lag, or just jitters. Either way, some of Hollywood's most jaded seemed a bit overwhelmed at the Cannes International Film Festival, the annual mix of movies, mingling and Mediterranean sun. On May 13, opening night of the 12-day fest, Mira Sorvino wobbled over the red carpet past paparazzi to see Primary Colors. "I was almost shaking by the time I made it to the lobby," she said. "That walk is far more intense than the Oscars." Her Armani dress, she added, "kept catching between my heels." She wasn't the only one: actress Julie Delpy stumbled in her Christian Lacroix gown, then glared at her escort. "I am having a little trouble walking," she said. "People are stepping on me."

As the week wore on, the stars grew more relaxed—and raucous. A May 16 Blues Brothers show drew thousands; later, Bruce Willis sang the blues at Planet Hollywood for 100 die-hard fans. Too bad the festival's films didn't score as much enthusiasm. A partial showing of Willis's Armageddon met with unexpected laughter, and Johnny Depp's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas inspired mostly loathing. At least Titanic's Billy Zane found ways to entertain himself. "I like to sneak around the hotel poised to steal jewels," he quipped, "but I end up settling for beach towels."