final weekend :(

Well I have just about neared the end (tear) and just had an amazing last weekend here in paradise!  The festival was coming to an end and we were all getting a little tired of the crowds so we spent most of this weekend enjoying the beach!

Friday night we decided to have a huge beach party.  This would have been fun enough on its own; however, the night was complete with a huge fireworks show which was so much fun to watch from the beach!

Saturday we spend the entire day hanging out with everyone at the beach (like 40 of us!).  its so much fun now that everyone on the program is so close; yet also that much sadder that we are leaving each other so soon.  That night a few of us decided we wanted to have a beach picnic/watch the sunset.  So we hauled our butts to the nearest grocery store in the sauna like weather and stocked up, and I do mean stocked up.  We had it all: bread, cheese, pears, wine, juice, dessert, foccaci, even crab meat!  We set up our picnic on a prime beach spot and sadly realized the sun doesn't set over the Mediterranean, rather it sets behind a bunch of buildings.  Innocent mistake, but we didn't care because we were happy to enjoy our feast and each other's company.  We sat for several hours and when it got dark we decided a night swim was in order.  So we swam off about 7 pounds of food each then just hung out the rest of the night drinking good wine and having a blast.

    

Sunday we ended the weekend the way it started, on the beach.  That night we all decided to try out a bar that had just opened.  It's called Coco Loco and it's a rum bar that offers all you can eat/drink for $12 euro!  We had a giggly fun time here then headed to our favorite Irish pub Morrison's for ladies night and live music.

All in all I could not have asked for a better last month and last weekend!  I will be soooo sad to leave my new home but I sure am excited to see everyone back home!  So here's to a great last 4 days (ahhhh!)

Paix,

Leah

AMFAR

Wow. that's all I can really say about the event of the season last night, AMFAR's Cinema Against Aids dinner and auction.

I arrived at 9:00 that morning and immediately set to work fixing all the tables so they passed the perfection standard of Versace.  I kid you not we probably changed table settings around 80 times (since celebrities don't find the need to call before deciding they want to attend).  The site looked absolutely stunning and I only wish I could have taken pictures to show you the amazing work Versace and her team dreamed up.  That afternoon we were able to hear Annie Lenox warm up before her evening's performance and then were shown to the beach front cabanas we were able to use to prepare ourselves for the evening (keep in mind this is the most exclusive hotel in all of France).  We looked out over the Mediterranean as we primped and pampered. 

 So since I had been volunteering earlier in the week, I was given 1 of 6 volunteer wrist bands that granted me access to the actual tent (not everyone got in because of the tight security that comes with Bill Clinton). The evening began with a speech by Bill Clinton and Sharon Stone and an opening number by Annie Lenox.  It really was amazing to me how little attention the guests paid to the stage and most of the time they simply talked and networked with each other (I even saw some model on facebook on her phone!).  The ladies always travel in groups of at least 3 to the restroom or else force their date to parade across the room with them.  After this there was a tribute to the late Natasha Richardson (who had been a huge supporter of AMFAR) and even included a note from her husband.  It was very moving and Sharon Stone could hardly make it through her speech. 

 Next up was the live auction.  This was super cool to see since the auction items included things like Bill Clinton's old sax, a private screening of Inglorious Bastards, a Chanel segway and plenty of jewels and babbles oh and Robert Pattinson agreed to kiss 2 gentlemen's daughters for $20,000 each!  When I wasn't helping to move table settings at Paris Hilton's table or Mini Me's table, I was posted up right next to the stage in between Josh Hartnett, Hayden Panettiere and Dolce and Gabbana!  Throughout the course of the evening I had the opportunity to see so many people I admire (and some that I don't) such as....Sharon Stone, Bill Clinton, Mini Me, Mike Myers, 50 Cent, Joshua Jackson, Diane Kruger, Armani, Dolce and Gabana, Cavalli, Missoni, Paris Hilton, Doug Reinhardt, Hayden Panettiere, Claudia Shiffer, Versace, Kerri Washington, the CEO of google, Dita Von Tesse, Kenneth Cole, the editor of Vogue, Robert Pattinson (without a date ladies..), Peaches Geldof and countless young, cute gold diggers on the arms of 80+ gentlemen.  I was not nearly as star struck as I thought (probably due to the fact that I was constantly running around and sweating) and really it was just interesting to sit and observe and see they actually are just real people (and pretty rude at that).  During Annie's final song almost no one in the crowd was listening so after she finished she stood up and through her bottle of water all over the stage then stormed right past me. 

After the dinner (which hardly anyone ate) they crowd moved on down the road to the afterparty.  Also very interesting to observe the happenings around here.  We finally called it a night around 1:30 then crawled back to our beds, satisfied with my celebrity intake for the next lifetime!

wahoooooo

Last night I went to the film: I love you Phillip Morris (set to come out in February 2010) starring Jim Carrey and Ewan Mcgreator.  It was sooooo good!  Basically it's a story about these two gay men who meet and fall in love in prison.  The plot made you laugh out loud, cry, and just fall in love with the characters.  This is my favorite movie of the festival thus far!

Today I volunteered allll day for our AMFAR event tomorrow.  As I have said before this  an event to raise money for aids and this year is hosted by Sharon Stone and Bill Clinton.  Pretty much everyone who is anyone will be in attendance from 50 Cent to Madonna to Brad and Angelina.  So anyway today I volunteered my services to set up.  The event will be taking place at Hotel du Cap in Antibes and it is "the" hotel of the French Riviera.  It is absoultely STUNNING easily the nicest place I've ever been in my life.  (Madonna, Brangelina, Bill and Robert Pattinson are also staying there for the festival).  

So basically our instructions for the day were try not to look super trashy and hide yourselves from well just about everyone ha.  So we mostly worked on setting up the tent and all I can say is WOW.  The venue was designed by Versace (who will be in attendance) and the plates alone cost $500 each.  There are photographs all over by the famed photographer Bruce Weber that are beautiful and overall the place is just overwhelming.  So much for being star struck by the celebs I was literally star struck by the room!  I worked closely with one of Versace's men (who is basically a gay, sassy princess) and I LOVED it!  While he has made it big now, he is from Omaha so we had a riot making fun of how hick the other was, and while he did refuse to call me by my name (who am I kidding he didn't even ask ha!) he did affectionately call me kansas City all day.

After a long day's work we headed outside to wait for our ride back (did I mention we looked pretty scrubby?).  Tonight also happens to be the premier of Brad Pitt's movie so there were a ton of important people around and let's just say they were none to pleased to see 11 crusty girls hanging around the front of the most exclusive hotel in all of France.  So they very clearly told us we needed to hide ourselves in the bushes (literally this is a quote). Ha soo we looked even more awkward standing huddled around some bushes in our scrubby clothes.  Well who should happen to saunter on by but THE Robert Pattinson (Twilight and Harry Potter!)  He literally was all smiles and giggles until he caught a glimpse of us and suddenly had a look of disgust on his face! Ha oh well priceless memory for us!

I am so beyond excited for the big event tomorrow.  Bill Clinton is playing the sax and then auctioning it off-I suggested a duet with 50 cent!  Also it raises a ton of money for adds (last year $10 million) soo Ill will be sure to let you know if this is the night I'm gonna make it big!

halfway there...

So, I thought my second trip down the red carpet might not be as cool as the first, you know without the initial thrill and shock but I was wrong, it gets better with every time!  Last night as I mentioned I was able to see Agora starring Rachel Weisz (The mummy).  It was an amazing movie about Roman antiquity and the struggle for religious power.  I think this time it was even cooler being in the presence of the actors and directors because I actually liked the movie.  Rachel was amazing in her role and you could tell she was really moved by the audience's acceptance.  Afterwards I was even able to stand next to her as she got in her car and drove off (and I did proceed to run after it....alright I'm shameless!)

     

Today I was planning on taking it easy.  I headed to the beach for a while then decided I just had to see something today so I went to a showing of Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock (starring Demitri Martin, Emile Hersch, and Denny from Grey's).  This movie is coming out in the states I believe in the next year and was based on the story of Woodstock's beginning.  It was pretty fun and has some blockbuster potential.  

on the hunt

Today I spent the majority of my day shopping-for celebs that is.  It's not that I consider myself a stalker by any means but it is such a thrill to find a group of people with cameras huddled around an unknown celeb and immediately race to push myself to the front to determine the identity!  Today's big hit was famed director Quentin Tarantino (director of inglorious bastards starring Mr. Pitt premiering Wednesday!).  I just happened to be staring between the wall slants in the Carlton's Restaurant when who should I happen to spot but Tin Tar (as I like to call him).  He was enjoying a nice lunch and so I sat around for a few minutes (or 25) to enjoy his lunch with him :)

Anyway he seemed like a very pleasant man!  After this I was just strolling down the street listening to my ipod when I see another group of people taking pictures of a couple who kept gettin in and out of a car several times.  I thought this was odd and I didn't know the couple but I of course started snapping pictures too.  I was just asking a woman next to me who the couple was, when she said this is a scene for a movie, you are standing with the extras.  Ha whoops, innocent mistake!  Apparently this was a fake group of stalker fans taking pictures and the other real stalkers were across the street taking pictures of the movie scene.  Needless to say, I can not add extra in a french film to my resume!     

After this I stumbled on a press conference for a festival film then decided to head back. I had just posted up with my computer back at the college when my friend Mark calls me again saying if I sprint back down to the festival grounds I can maybe get a ticket for that night's premier.  Well shoot, off I went in a tizzy!  I had just slugged myself into line-sweating profusely- when they tell me tickets are done they may have more at 5:30.  Well I waited it out and was lucky to be early in line and get a ticket!  So tonight I will be seeing Agora on the red carpet, I'll be sure to keep ya posted!

Night 2

I have to make this a quick post because I'm going to head in to town to try and get tickets for Taking Woodstock tonight.  

Last night was amaing (I feel like that may be the theme for the festival).  We were so lucky to get tickets to the premier and only showing of Michel Gondry's film: L'epine dans le coeur (a thorn in the heart).  He was the director of hits such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep, etc.  This movie was premiering in the palais but in a smaller theater, which made it even more amazing when were realized we were sitting only feet away from him!!! The movie was a documentary about the life of his aunt and her relationships with her family, and it was very moving to see.  After the screening we were able to take pictures with him, and he seems incredibly down to earth and is an amazing director.  One of my friend's Ashley was nearly in tears since he is her absolute favorite director, so that was very exciting to watch her meet him.

After the screening we headed to a bar to a bar near the Palais to see and be seen (pretty sure it was more of the former...), all in all making it a very exciting and successful night 2!  

OMG

      

Omg Omg Omg....I just had the best day of my entire life, and this is not even an exaggeration.  

So this morning/afternoon we headed back into town to figure out what movies were good enough to check out that evening (ha who am I kidding we were def. looking for the most famous one). 

 We decided to get a bunch of tickets to the Quinzaine des Realisateurs, which are films that are not in the direct competition but still screen in Cannes (they include films like Francis Coppola's Tetro and the new Jim Carey film).  We headed back to shower and prepare for the evening when all of a sudden my friend Mark comes bursting in my room to announce that the College has received a limited number of tickets to the premier!  So I raced out of my room 39% naked and went to grab my golden ticket.  I received my precious gift at approximately 5:45 and soon learned that we had to leave at 6:00!  

Well, you ain't never seen a lady get herself red carpet ready so fast! There was a group of 15 of us that received tickets and we literally had to run to make it to the carpet before it closed for us 'nearly' famous people.  So with windswept hair (not in the good way) and a few makeup smears I ascended my first red carpet.  I can't even describe how amazing it was!  There were literally like millions of lights and paparazzi, and although they hustled us rather quickly to the doors I still felt like a really rich princess or something.  So we floated on into our amazing seats and were able to watch the red carpet action on the big screen and then literally see the celebs walk through the door to their seats.  I even saw some famous girl take off her clip-on earings and text on her blackberry (ha so celebs are VERY exciting).  The film we saw was a Chinese Film called Chun Feng Chen Zui De Ye Wan de Lou Ye or Spring Fever and although it was really odd, it was so surreal to be able to see the director take his seat with the starring ladies by his side.  There were also plenty of well known celebs in attendance including Elizabeth Banks (40 year old Virgin).

So 10.5 hours later when the movie ended we all stood for a standing ovation and then headed back to the carpet.  This time around paparazzi would literally stop groups of us to take our pictures (they clearly understood I am about to make it big) but I had to play it cool and act like I actually didn't want 50 cameras taking my picture (45 would be sufficient to catch my good side!).  We floated back home to the college and here I am absorbing every memory I can about the best night of my life! 

Cannes Film Fest: Night 1

So I will post pictures later but I just wanted to update everyone on the first night of the festival.  First let me just say it was, well, AMAZING!!!! I hardly recognize my city anymore- it's turned into Paris on crack, but I am in love.  I decided to pass on class today and went to the Palais to check out the final touches being made before the big premier.  It was amazing to be in the presence of a real red carpet (I touched it!) and see the behind the scenes of a huge celebrity event.  

This afternoon, we had a meeting at school where we received our official badges.  With these badges we are allowed to see all the premiers, as long as we are willing to wait in line for the tickets (um, yes is that even a question!?)  They also just make me feel very official and important so do not be surprised if I continue wearing it back in the states.

The beach has kicked out all the topless ladies and set up these massive tent parties for celebrities, which are for the most part all white with really cool lounge areas and amazing bars-I'll get back to you on whether or not I can sneak my butt in.  A few of my friends are interning with this company that basically requires them to go to a bunch of the parties so rough life for them!

Alright so tonight was the opening ceremonies and  the PIXAR film, UP was premiering so we decided to check out the red carpet happenings.  We were literally a few feet from the red carpet and paparazzi mayhem and were able to see Robin Wright-Penn and the other festival judges as well as that girl from Superbad (blonde haired crazy chick).  The carpet was also lined with adorable little ballerinas dressed in white standing in different poses up the stairs. The energy is crazy around the red carpet with people screaming and flashes going off everywhere-very very hollywood cool.  After this we grabbed dinner and drinks at a restaurant close to town and just people watched.  Everyone is in tuxs and formal gowns (even during the day) and I'm pretty sure everyone thinks they are super important so we pretty much just try to do the same and act like we aren't crazy overwhelmed by it all.

All in all it was an amazing first day!  I will be sure to get you guys updated on my celeb sightings!

Paix,

Leah

    

a last hurray

This weekend was the last before the festival craziness begins and it really made me appreciate the great friends and memories I have of my time in France thus far.  

Friday we chillaxed on the beach then celebrated my dear friend Jeremie's 21st birthday (even though its so not a big deal in France).  We went to the Palm beach club, which is a supposed favorite of Paris and Diddy!  We danced the night away and had a blast...          

The next morning we had our final AIFS 'field trip' to Les Gorges du Verdon (or the French answer to the grand canyon!).  Of course we were surrounded by amazing views and were able to kayak, lay out, paddle boat, etc.  The weather was once again perfect and it was such a relaxing way to wind down the semester.  After this visit we headed over to the cutest village I've ever seen: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, which was voted as one of France's best villages.  There were few cars and even fewer tourists and the area was full of winding rows with precious shops (the village specializes in hand made pottery).  The only down side to the village I am sad to report where the bathrooms-ewww!  There were literally holes in the ground surrounded by deadly looking bathroom flies and the pipes were all exposed and there was hardly even sufficient toilet paper!     

Sunday morning I took the opportunity to stroll around town and see what was up with the festival!  It seems everyone has arrived and there are even a ton of film geeks staying at the college (sooo weird to hear English now!).  The red carpet stage has been built and now we are anxiously awaiting the opening on Wednesday.

Tonight (Monday) I went to see the Theater classes production: Retour.  It was soo amazing to see my fellow frenchie students put on an hour long play in french, it definitely shows how far we have progressed.

Paix,

Leah

May Day in Munich

So sad to report that I just got back from my final European trip-next time I get on a plane will be to head home (ahhhh soo weird!)- but what a great final trip!

           

Me and Felicia left Thursday evening and hoped on a plane to Munich.  We arrived at around midnight and saw barely any people still there sooo we had to conquer the Munich underground by ourselves and figure out how to get to our hostel (about an hour away!).  Needless to say we were quite proud of ourselves and made it safely around 1:15!

The next morning we were up pretty early and decided to explore the city on foot.  We were able to see the Theatine Church, Marienplatz, the Opera and had a great time hanging out/drinking beer in the English gardens.  The weather was absolutely perfect and I was pleasantly surprised to discover how light and beautiful the architecture was!  This weekend was also May Day in the city which is a big celebration where no one works and everyone parties (my kind of holiday!) soo were hung out for a while watching some concerts in the main plaza and absorbing all things German.  That night we met our friend Mira!  She is German and studied at the College in Cannes in with us for a while in February.  She lives a few hours outside of Munich and heard we were coming so she brought two friends to come hang out with us for the weekend.         

 We had a traditional German dinner (schnitzel) then went to a German fraternity party.  This was such an awesome experience to observe the similarities and differences and I must say they aren't that different.  Lots of boys drinking beers, people playing guitars, naughty girl posters on the wall, fridges full of beer, etc.  One funny thing I did notice is that in order to become a member of the fraternity you have to participate in a fencing battle and nearly all of them had scars to prove this!  They boys were great hosts and we had such a good time drinking and learning more about the German culture.  An additional plus-since it was May Day they all dressed up in traditional Bavarian clothing so that was funny to see a frat dude in ladenhosen!

     

Saturday morning, we started with a tour lead by Mira.  We saw pretty much every inch of Germany and I absolutely loved it!  We went back to the English gardens and were joined by a band playing jazz/freestyle rap-it was unbelievable they were sooo good and it was such a beautiful day.  Additionally, we were surprised to learn this was a nudey park!  I wasn't even aware that nude parks existed but sure enough we were surrounded by all shapes an ages enjoying nature in their birthday suits! 

For lunch we found an all you can eat sushi restaurant for only 7 measly euros-alright so it wasn't exactly German but delicious none the less and a great time.  After our day full of walking and exploring we decided to shop around for some posh going out outfits then headed back to relax for a little.  Later that night we met up at the Hofbrauhaus and although it is pretty touristy it is a Munich must!  We enjoyed a light dinner of beer, pretzels, sausages, potatoes, cabbage and pork then headed to a local night club.  Oh techno/house music-where do I even begin.  It is sooo funny so see a group of people dancing to this music.  It basically resembles the awkward new kid dance with everyone standing in a circle bobbing their heads and staring into the distance-very enjoyable to observe!  So we tapped our feet all night long then headed back in the weeee hours of the morning.

Sunday we had just enough time to grab some yummy pastries then head home :(

I am supppper excited that the film festival is almost here!  I will have a pass which grants me access to the movies and allows me to walk around and chill with celebs (I plan on yelling an M-I-Z to mr. pitt!).  I will also be volunteering at the AMFAR dinner hosted by Sharon Stone!  This is a $100,000/plate dinner that is loaded with celebs and raises money for AIDS so I will be sure to update you on what is going on with Angie and Jen and the others!    

Finally, I have my first and only final this week in art history then I am done with school!  Anxious to see everyone but getting really sad to leave!

Paix,

Leah