Cannes Behind the Scenes

By Reporting by Monique Jessen

UPDATED 05/31/2010 at 01:00 AM EDT • Originally published 05/31/2010 at 01:00 AM EDT

Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan

AT NIKKI'S SKY LOUNGE ON THE ROOF OF THE PALAIS STEPHANIE HOTEL

The stars of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, which will hit theaters in September, took a break to admire the view of the Croisette, Cannes' storied seafront promenade. Festival veteran Michael Douglas was looking forward to their red carpet premiere the next night: "One of the greatest moments here is when you go up the steps, you turn around for the photograph, and there is a sea of people."

Kate Beckinsale

AT THE MAJESTIC BARRIERE HOTEL

The actress (in Gucci Premiere), 36, described life as a festival juror: "We see two films a day, meet and then get ready for a premiere. Since I became a mom, it's been a while since my life has been like this, so I'm loving it."

Jennifer Hudson

AT TERRAZZA MARTINI

Rain didn't bother the Prada-clad star, 28, who announced she'll star as Nelson Mandela's wife in Winnie. "It's so magical here," she said. "I love the mountains and the water. It's overwhelming."

Juliette Binoche

EN ROUTE TO THE HOTEL DU CAP

Attending the festival for her movie Certified Copy, Binoche (heading from the Majestic Barriere Hotel to the starry Vanity Fair/Gucci party), 46, said she felt "honored yet surprised" to be featured on the official Cannes poster. "I am just doing this party tonight-is this the biggest one? I'm not aware of those things. It just has to be fun!"

Kristin Scott Thomas

BY THE PALAIS DES FESTIVALS

The festival's official emcee (in Armani Prive), 50, kicked back at a venue sponsored by France's Canal Plus and recalled past Cannes adventures. "Once somebody was bringing my dress, and they forgot half of it!" she says. "Someone was dispatched to bring the other half in a helicopter from Nice. It got here with five minutes to spare."

Camilla Belle

AT THE MAJESTIC BARRIERE HOTEL

"Everything looks so much more chic here," said the Cannes first-timer (in Gucci Premiere), prepping in her room for the premiere of a restored version of the 1963 film Il Gattopardo. "I love the glamour." The cuisine too: "I've been having cheese and croissants and pain au chocolat. Why not? I had raspberry tart at midnight last night!" By day the actress, 23, and her date (her mother, Cristina Gould) focused on less glam pursuits: "Having coffee on the Croisette, just walking around, being tourists."