FRANCE: Cinema and music stars gossip and comment on the Cannes film festival at charity gala animated by Sharon Stone.

Record ID: 275619

  • Title: FRANCE: Cinema and music stars gossip and comment on the Cannes film festival at charity gala animated by Sharon Stone.
  • Date: 1st June 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAMUEL J. JACKSON, ACTOR AND MEMBER OF THE JURY OF THE 59TH CANNES FILM FESTIVAL, SAYING: "I think it's a good year for women. There are a lot of good films, a lot of good roles and we have actually seen some strong performance by a lot of women. So it's a good year for women. We are having a hard time finding the best actress." CLOSE UP MAN LACING W
  • Embargoed: 16th June 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Health
  • Reuters ID: LVABU2TNFGWSOU138X2CYC97Y1WK
  • Story Text: The most glamorous artists gathered on Thursday night (May 25) for a charity gala given the star treatment by Sharon Stone and Robin Williams.
    Showing off shining evening dresses, expensive diamonds as well as some expensive plastic surgery, the guests attending the night spent between 30,000 to 100,000 U.S. dollars (23,400 to 78,200 Euros) for the privilege of being entertained by Sharon Stone, Robin Williams or Wyclef Jean.
    Stone has supported 'amfAR', a foundation for AIDS research, since 1995.
    "My hope for tonight would be that tonight would be the last night we ever need to do this, but this money that we earn, all of it, one hundred per cent of amFar money goes to AIDS research. And one of those great scientist in one of those laboratory somewhere would go 'I GOT IT!'. That's my hope!" Stone said.
    When she introduced the event later in the evening, Stone noted the United States was spending all its AIDS budget on abstinence projects, pointing out that no money was going to sex education or safer sex. She said one of her main concern was the HIV infection rate among women.
    Because of the proximity of the Cannes film festival, the yearly event is able to attract many film stars.
    The 'cools' and the 'uncools' were reunited for the good cause. Ivana Trump made a rare appearance, Sofia Coppola and William Dafoe offered their discrete participation, and John Galliano or Roberto Cavalli represented the fashion world.
    Despite a grueling schedule, Samuel L. Jackson, a member of the jury of this year's Cannes film festival, took some time off to show his support. Jackson is not allowed to talk about the films he has seen but he was able to give an insight of the daily difficulties of his job.
    "I think it's a good year for women. There are a lot of good films, a lot of good roles and we have actually seen some strong performance by a lot of women. So it's a good year for women. We are having a hard time finding the best actress," Jackson, who came accompanied by his wife, said.
    The jury of the 59th Cannes festival is presided by Chinese director Wong Kar Wai and includes Monica Bellucci, Helena Bonham Carter, Lucrecia Martel and Zhang Zyiy.
    Arriving at the gala, Gael Garcia Bernal admitted he found it difficult to handle the busy Cannes' schedule - films, interviews and late-night parties follow each other, though not always in that order. He actually admitted not having enough time to see movies.
    "Yes, sure, I am partying all night long. That's why I am a bit tired to do interviews, because you get drunk, then you have to go to this kind of event as well... But I am fine, it's all going fine," Bernal said reassuringly.
    'Sin City' star Rosario Dawson gave her version of the New York accident that involved a spilled drink and Tommy Hilfiger getting involved in a raw.
    "Oh, you mean in New York! I had a belated birthday party in New York, so Axel Rose performed, which was absolutely amazing. And I guess there was an altercation with Tommy Hilfiger. I don''t really know, considering that I was sort of in the front listening to Axel perform. I was kind of more dazzled with that," Dawson said when asked about the incident.
    Actress Faye Dunaway, who rose to fame in the 1970s with movies like 'Bonnie and Clyde' and 'Chinatown', presented her latest project with enthusiasm.
    "I have written and I am going to direct my first feature this year... Masterclass… It's about a period of time where Maria Callas came to New York and taught to students there. It's about her finding her life again with this young people," Dunaway described.
    Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Demi Moore and Sir Elton John have hosted the gala in the past, an event that has become well known for its impromptu performances. An enthusiastic fundraiser, Stone raised the bidding for an impromptu Elton John/Ringo Starr performance of 'Great Balls of Fire' by offering to dance as they played.
    On Thursday night, Stone joined Wyclef Jean for two songs. Bidders paid 80,000 U.S. dollars or more for each one of the two performance.
    Robin Williams stepped into the shoes of impromptu auctioneer, helping the bidding along with his signature manic ad-libbing.
    Among the items auctioned were packages of luxurious holidays, private film screenings, a painting by Keith Harrings or a cabriolet... A travel vanity case designed by Stone herself was sold for 80,000 US Dollars, and an original picture by photographer peter Lindbergh offered with a photo shoot raised 124,000 USD. A red piano that belonged to Elton John, then to Sharon Stone, also went under the hammer.
    The festival is presented by the Weinstein company, a multi-media company created by Hollywood moguls Bob and Harvey Weinstein.
    amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS research, said it had raised 250 millions U.S. dollars and has awarded grants to more than two thousands research teams worldwide.
    Launched in 1993, the Cannes gala raised more than three million USD - an amount the organisers were hoping to match or exceed. ENDS.
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