One of the perks of being a full-time resident of Nice is the privilege of attending the Cannes Film Festival for free. Ok, it’s not exactly free because you have to apply for accreditation in the category of “Cinéphile” which requires membership in the Cinématheque. But guess what? I’m already a member. And how happy was I to be certified a “cinéphile” when I’ve been one unofficially my entire life.
The Cinephile badge does not confer an owner access to all the films. The splashy numbers in the main competition for the prestigious Palme D’Or are out of bounds. However, those are the films — this year by Terence Malik, Quentin Tarantino, Jim Jarmusch, Pedro Almodovar among others lesser-known — that are likely to make it into theaters. Some already have. The other night, not fully sated by my Cannes experience, I walked a few minutes to my local theater and caught the Almodovar, “Pain and Glory,” which was so much the latter and not the former.
The more offbeat, independent examples of global cinema are widely available, with showings spread across four main theaters at a distance from the star-studded Croisette. So far I’ve seen films from Colombia, Iceland and New Zealand. You wait in line for about 45 minutes, but there’s a café on the spot for refreshment while you wait.
This is the 72nd Festival. With 800 films being shown starting at 8:30am and ending at midnight on some nights, you are nevertheless lucky to get in to see your favorite selections. Of course, many are disqualified from my selection for being in the weirdly popular genre-bending horror category, or an especially bleak social film or an egregious example of “slow cinema” (the Philippine film that is more than four hours long).
Next year, I might book a room for a couple of nights to pack in the early and late events, which are not just films but Master Classes from directors and actors. Again, FREE. If you’re an official cinéphile.
kmazz 
Hi! What fun to be at the festival and spend time there with tutu accreditation. I was almost going to go but I chose to take about ten days and go to Provence area, before in Narbonne area. Spent a night in Carcassonne. On my way to Paris for a few days before heading to Italy for Leslie’s daughter’s wedding. It seemed so distant and already it’s so close. Have you decided to stay in Nice for a while? I really do love it the best there. I love your images on Instagram. Fabulous eye for people candide. Right now I’m awaiting to get into the Carrières des Lumières in Les Baux. Wonderful archeological site in Gallum I went to also. Be well and all the best to you! See you next year in Nice!
You’ve really been traveling! Thanks for the IG love. See you when you are back.
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Sent from my iPhone so please excuse the brevity
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Looks like it’s still cold in Southern Europe. The down coats are still being worn in your pictures (we were in Italy in April-early May and they were out in force then.)
I sure wasn’t wearing the coats, but the locals like to guard against cool breezes. It’s cooler than usual this week, in the high 60s F.
I now give myself full permission to binge on Netflix.
Thank you for yet another marvelous view of your newfound paradise, Kathleen. I appreciate you keeping me in the loop.
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Hi Kathleen, Ive loved going to Cannes in these last years as a legal resident of Nice and being a “cinephile” … the membership at the Nice Cinematique is 2 euros per year so quite reasonable! Even waiting in line is fun when you meet people also following the Cannes Festival and you can hear opinions on other films. the time passes quickly! Highlight of these last years, when Yolande and I saw the produciton of “Mustang” the fantastic Turkish film about 4 sisters being raised by their grandmother in rural Turkey. the actrices were all there, at the Mariott in Central Cannes, the theatre was packed. they were introduced to polite applause.. At the end of the film, they got 8 minutes of standing ovation. We were all in tears. Ill never forget that and Ive seen the movie two more times after that.
Dear Kathleen (and David too),
Films from Colombia, Iceland, and other countries which do not quickly spring to mind when thinking about cinema, and shown at the world’s best known film festival, well how exciting is that! It must be great fun and I am sure you are enjoying your exalted status as a Cannes cinéphile. Please let us know if you see anything which cracks your Top 10 of All Time list.
Meanwhile we are in Bologna, slightly more than half way through our 20 nights in this very appealing town (photo).
We are staying at a nice place on the Strada Maggiore, just across the street from the Santa Maria dei Servi church (next two photos). Our temporary residence, at 200 sq m, is twice the size of our place in Vancouver, and yet is surprisingly affordable. No more shall we visit Tokyo, Sydney, NYC, and other budget breaking cities.
With our train pass we have spent days in Padova, Milano, Ravenna, and Venezia, this last city to enjoy a fine lunch with Pat’s bro’ and spouse. (We ventured no further than Cannoregio. Photo)
Parma is next, tomorrow.
Bologna is very much to our liking. Now I am inspired to make up a short list of outstanding cities not yet completely over-run by mobs of tourists. Bologna will qualify easily.
One last photo: the porticos in front of our palazzo. Why don’t all cities, especially Portland and Vancouver, not have arcades everywhere?
We hope all is well with you in Nizza!
Ian e Pat
Ian and Pat, I am so glad you are enjoying Bologna. It is indeed a wonderful city to explore and from which to venture out nearby.
Writing from the land of tranquil bays and lovely views but NO film!