The film festival Mafia karaoke party was the night before last. Held in a pub next to the station, the event was fuelled by 10 beers or 10 shots for €15. As Cannes prices go, a small coffee can cost £5, this was like manna from heaven. As the rounds came thick and fast and the turns got more extreme. Words can’t explain the spectacle of the Kung Fu karaoke explosion from Blake, one of the programmers from Austin’s Fantastic Fest, and Tim League’s Led Zepplin rendition or scream match. Our very own Paul McEvoy held is own. His double turn of Queens Don’t Stop Me Now, which was followed by his signature theme tune, Tainted Love, was right in there with the best. God bless him, Paul never lets FrightFest down. (You can see a picture of Mr McEvoy in action on yesterdays blog)

Afterwards we all decanted to the Petite Majestic to continue drinking, but for the first time that I can remember in the 17 years I have been attending Cannes, we found it closed. We then tried the Grand, which is now a popular late night watering hole for Brits. It was also closed. What’s a man to do? It was raining cats and dogs, so the powers that be decided that it wasn’t safe to remain open, or in other words we couldn’t be trusted not to drink and fall over. So what's different from a normal night?

Paul and I did a little bit of bunker trawling yesterday. The bunker is the place were all the various film sales companies set out their stalls. The choice, range and quality of the films on offer are quite astounding. The place is packed with salesmen, who quite frankly would sell their grannies, if they could turn a commission. Every film is fantastic; every film is a blockbuster. One film and salesman in particular stood out. I got a call asking me to “drop bye” his stall, where he proceeded to give me the hard sell on a film called Run! Bitch Run!, a tacky exploitation rip off. You know the type of film, deliberately made to look bad in order to cash in on the fad for 1970s Grindhouse cinema. A bargain at just $60,000. The film probably didn’t cost that to make, but I did get a couple of party tickets out of it. The lengths I will go to get a free drink.

Finally, I ran into Jake West yesterday. Jake was in seventh heaven. Over the years his films have gathered quite a following with fans, but they have never really been accepted by film critics. However, Doghouse, his new film, due in UK cinemas in June, has just had its first UK screenings back in London. Much to Jake's delight some of the more po-faced critics that in the past, just didn't get it, have been raving about the film. Jake is such a lovely man, I was delighted for him. Well done Jake. Make sure you go and support the film when it opens at cinemas.

Until the next time...

Ian.

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