The black market for Cannes parties and screenings is alive and well, according to a list seen by Screendaily.
One of the most expensive offerings is a pair of tickets to Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor The Great Un Certain Regard premiere and after-party on May 20, which are being touted for $5,495 per person. A photo with Johansson is on offer for an extra $1,995.
The film’s distributor Sony Pictures Classics was unavailable for comment. However a festival spokesperson responded robustly.
“Tickets issued by the Festival de Cannes are free of charge and strictly prohibited from being sold. Any attempt to sell or purchase tickets is illegal and may lead to legal action. Buying tickets entails significant risks, including the possibility of being denied access to the screening.
“Any use of a ticket that has been altered or tampered with will be considered fraudulent. Individuals involved will be denied entry to the venue. Additional sanctions may be imposed by the Festival.”
“Every Wes drop is a cultural moment”
The list grades the likely experiences of each film. Die, My Love starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson elicits the formula “[Lynne] Ramsay’s comeback + powerhouse leads = high-level art + intrigue”; The Phoenician Scheme promises “Every Wes [Anderson] drop is a cultural moment. Expect meticulous visuals + festival royalty”; and Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value is expected to be “Pure auteur fuel”.
Different pacakges are available, according to the clandestine list. A red carpet-only experience will set attendees back $2,995 per person, while the Tier 1 Premiere package for the biggest films and cast goes for $10,795. It includes hair and make-up at the hotel, a limousine from the hotel to the red carpet, and a set of photographs – with the option of a Getty photographer’s services for an additional fee depending on availability.
Attendees prepared to part with $4,275 can – subject to availability – enjoy a package of blue carpet, dinner, awards show and after party at the WIBA Awards (World Influencers and Bloggers Awards) on May 23 at the opposite end of the Croisette at the Martinez Hotel.
At the top end, special offer tickets for the amfAR gala at the Hotel du Cap are going for $23,000 per person.
Selling Cannes: how the touts pitch key films:
Cannes Premiere Schedule
Wednesday, May 14th
10 AM: Partir Un Jour: Tier 3; Director: Amélie Bonnin; Cast: Noémie Merlant, Félix Moati, Camille Cottin. Debut feature with emotional depth and promising performances.
6:45 PM: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: Director: Christopher McQuarrie; Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell. Massive box office franchise makes a rare Cannes appearance = red carpet frenzy. See separate listing for cost.
Thursday, May 15th, 11 AM: Sound of Falling: Tier 3; Director: Mascha Schilinski; Cast: TBA. Experimental German entry with poetic leanings.
Friday, May 16th
8:30 AM: Sirat: Tier 3: Director: Oliver Laxe; Cast: Non-professional ensemble. Minimalist, spiritual cinema — beautiful but niche.
11 AM: Dossier 137: Tier 3; Director: Dominik Moll; Cast: Denis Ménochet, Marina Foïs, Reda Kateb Solid cast, likely a slow-burn thriller, more critic-focused than mainstream.
Saturday, May 17th, 12:30PM: Eddington: Tier 1; Director: Ari Aster; Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal. Aster’s surreal Western plus this triple-A cast = Cannes centerpiece energy.
Sunday, May 18th
8:30AM: Renoir: Tier 3; Director: Hayakawa Chie; Cast: TBA. Biopic potential with aesthetic charm, but lacks current buzz.
11 AM: New Wave: Tier 2; Director: Richard Linklater; Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Louis Garrel. Cinephiles will flock. Homage to French New Wave with an iconic trio.
1:15 PM: Die My Love: Tier 1; Director: Lynne Ramsay; Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Jessie Buckley. Ramsay’s comeback + powerhouse leads = high-level art + intrigue.
10 PM: La Femme La Plus Riche Du Monde (The Richest Woman in the World): Tier 2: Director: Thierry Klifa; Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Guillaume Canet, Adèle Exarchopoulos. Glamorous cast, intrigue around the storyline, lower international buzz.
Monday, May 19th
8:30 AM: O Agente Secreto (The Secret Agent): Tier 3; Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho; Cast: Wagner Moura, Sônia Braga, Alice Braga. Brazilian political thriller — cerebral, culturally rich.
11:45AM: The Phoenician Scheme: Tier 1; Director: Wes Anderson; Cast: Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray. Every Wes drop is a cultural moment. Expect meticulous visuals + festival royalty.
7:00 PM: Highest 2 Lowest: Tier 1; Director: Spike Lee; Cast: Denzel Washington, John David Washington, Zendaya. Social commentary + father-son duo + Zendaya = Cannes catnip.
Tuesday, May 20th
11:15 AM: Alpha: Tier 2; Director: Julia Ducournau; Cast: Vincent Lindon, Agathe Rousselle, Garance Marillier. First female French Palme winner returns. Expect visceral, subversive cinema.
7 PM: A Private Life: Tier 2; Director: Rebecca Zlotowski; Cast: Jodie Foster, Daniel Auteuil, Virginie Efira. Classy and complex, but more under-the-radar compared to the top-tier titles.
Wednesday, May 21st
8:30 AM: Un Simple Accident: Tier 3; Director: Jafar Panahi; Cast: Panahi’s regular collaborators (TBA). A vital voice from Iran, though less global spotlight due to release constraints.
10:30 PM: Sentimental Value: Tier 2; Director: Joachim Trier; Cast: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Herbert Nordrum. Reunion of “Worst Person in the World” dream team. Pure auteur fuel.
10:30 PM: Fuori: Tier 3; Director: Mario Martone; Cast: Toni Servillo, Valeria Golino, Elio Germano Rich in Italian cultural flavor, more for regional acclaim.
Thursday, May 22nd
11:15 AM: The History of Sound: Tier 1; Director: Oliver Hermanus; Cast: Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist. Queer period drama with buzzy leads. Emotionally rich and visually elegant.
2 PM: Romeria: Tier 3; Director: Carla Simón; Cast: Laia Costa, Enric Auquer, Núria Prims. Following Alcarràs, still indie-level but quietly growing.
3:30 PM: Woman & Child: Tier 2; Director: Roustaee; Cast: Taraneh Alidoosti, Navid Mohammadzadeh, Sahar Dolatshahi. Contemporary Iranian cinema with emotional weight and Cannes cred.
Friday, May 23rd4 PM: Jeunes Meres: Tier 2; Directors: Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne; Cast: Déborah François, Jérémie Renier, Émilie Dequenne. The Dardennes are Cannes mainstays. Expect intimate realism, social urgency.
6:45 PM: The Mastermind: Tier 2; Director: Kelly Reichardt; Cast: Michelle Williams, Jesse Plemons, John Magaro. Reichardt’s quiet intensity + Vietnam War backdrop = critics’ magnet.
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