Let Battle commence

Well here we go again. It's the first day proper and after all the preparation, all the planning it is time for another 10 days of films, meetings, parties, catching up with and making new friends in the sun in the South of France at the world famous, and only ever so slightly more glamorous than FrightFest, 64th Cannes Film Festival.

This is my 19th straight year of attending this shindig. Last Thursday night as I was packing, I found my very first festival pass. Apart from being shocked at how fresh faced I used to look, 12 years of FrightFest has certainly taken its toll, it made me think back to the anticipation and the excitement of that first year. The reason I mention this, is last night outside the Petit Majestic, the late-night watering hole that you will hear much about over the next 10 days, we ran into Gaz Bailey and his co-organiser Rhys from the ABERTOIR HORROR FESTIVAL that is based in Aberystwyth. They were so excited to be in Cannes for the first time. Gaz in particular has been a big fan of Alan's writing over the years, so he was chuffed to meet him and they spent quite a time chatting.

The night had got off to a fabulous start when we dined in some style with Tim and Karrie League in Park 45, the very swish restaurant in the Grand Hotel. Now, I don't want you to get the idea that this is our norm, I wish it was. As nice as it was, we are usually found queueing for €3 begets from the sandwich places on the Croisette.

After dinner, it was a short walk to the Petit Majestic where apart from the aforementioned parties from Aberystwyth, over a couple of beers we caught up with many like minded souls. Stephanie Trepainer from Montreal's Fantasia was downing €6 (£6) pints at a rate of knots along with the lovely Christian Hallman from Stockholm. Marc Walcow, Mr all things Japanese fantasy was there along with Anna Feder from the Boston Underground Film Festival. Alan ran into Magnus Paulsson, co-producer of WAKE WOOD, a long time friend and Julian Richards, who many of you will remember from THE LAST HORROR MOVIE, who bought Paul and I a pint.(Thanks mate) Finally, Ailsa Scott, one of the FrightFest lovlies turned up, which added a little glamour to the evening. It's interesting, you meet these people perhaps once or twice a year at festivals, I call them my festival friends, and it's just like you had seen them yesterday. Your conversation takes off exactly where you left it the last time months before. So, all in all, not a bad night.

So onto day one. The festival proper really kicks off in the evening, but there were a few market screenings to attend. Alan, who is suffering from a chill and is not is normal cheery self, think a bear with a sore paw, and Paul were up early and off to trawl the bunker and market hall. I gave this a miss. Instead I joined them for our first screening of the festival, BEHIND THE WALLS, which like one of last year's first films was unnecessarily in 3D. Unnecessary as it was, I have to say the 3D was well done with a fantastic opening shot full of smoke and steam.

Then, oh my God, and it's only day one, the wheels came off the bus in spectacular style. When will I ever learn? Seemingly never. First, I went off to the most anticipated event of the whole festival, not. The European Fantasy Film Federation meeting. Talk about watching paint dry. You will have to trust me on this, that is 100 times more exciting. Held in the Belgian pavilion, it was only made palatable by the free Stella on offer. I have to own up here, I probably, no let's be honest about this, I did have far to much. I rolled back to apartment FrightFest and on to the Wild Bunch opening night party in a wonderful villa with a view over the bay, see above, in Cannes old town. Alan being sensible bailed at a respectable hour, but Paul and I partied till the wee small hours, well, I think we did. I woke up in my own bed, but with no idea how I got there, and you know what, that's where I will leave this.

Till tomorrow, when Alan will take up the story.

Au revoir!

Ian.