Young Poor & Angry Press

The pace at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival reached feverish heights during its second week. It seemed like parties, premieres and stars doubled in presence everywhere along the French Riviera.

Sunday night, Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar, whose previous credits include “The Others” and the original Spanish version of “Vanilla Sky”, premiered his new historical drama “Agora”. Rachel Weisz, who stars in the film, looked absolutely stunning in a strapless forest green Valentino gown with a high slit up the leg.

Oscar-winning Spanish actress Penelope Cruz was noticeably absent at Monday morning’s press conference to publicize her new film, the musical “Nine”, directed by Rob Marshall. Harvey Weinsten of Miramax Pictures mentioned that Cruz had “some sort of food poisoning”. In any case her beautiful costar, Oscar-winning French actress Marion Cotillard, replaced Cruz as she was being treated by a doctor. “Nine” will open on November 2009 with such talents as Daniel Day-Lewis, the legendary Sofia Loren, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson and singer Fergie.

Feeling restored, Cruz hosted the Domino Charity Tournament at the Cannes House Villa later in the night. She arrived in a beautiful floor-length white vintage Chanel gown paired with a white tuxedo jacket. First time Domino player Paris Hilton came with beau du jour Doug Reinhardt. Also attending were Elsa Pataki and Orlando Bloom, with stunning model girlfriend Miranda Kerr in an orange cocktail dress. Rumor has it that during their time in Cannes the Australian actor proposed to her, as we have seen pictures of Kerr wearing a new diamond ring. Cruz stayed at the event for only 45 minutes and later retreated to rest for the premiere of her new Almodóvar film the next evening.

Across town the Chopard Awards Ceremony, which honors up-and-coming talent, took place at the Martinez Hotel. Seen there were Hillary Swank, wearing a metallic origami -inspired Armani Privé gown, and Marion Cotillard with her boyfriend, actor Guillaume Canet.

Later, Chopard celebrated the awards at its Trophy Party which took place at the Baoli Club. Celebrities, such as new LÓreal spokesmodel Evangeline Lilly, in Valentino, and model Eva Herzigova, wearing black Roberto Cavalli with detailed cut-out bodice, enjoyed the party.

Major elegance and beauty was also seen at the premiere of the film “Ne Te Retourne Pas”. This time Italian screen siren Monica Belluci and French actress Sophie Marceau doubled the glamour by wearing scarlet gowns by Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, respectively.

Tuesday morning, Penelope Cruz again struck gold at the photo call for her film “Broken Embraces”, wearing a nude strapless and draped Dolce and Gabbana gown and Christian Loboutin heels. Later in the night she chose a lavender embroidered Marchesa gown for the premiere of the film, where she arrived with Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodóvar.

The highlight of the evening was the arrival of Brad Pitt with Angelina Jolie, wearing Ferragamo, for a 60-crew-member dinner of Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds” at Michelangelo restaurant, where actors Rob Pattinson and Emile Hirsch made a late entrance. Rob Pattinson drew enormous amounts of paparazzi for a photo call earlier in the day to promote the sequel to Twilight.

On Wednesday night, Cannes reached its frenzy for the premiere of “Inglorious Basterds” as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walked the red carpet. She looked absolutely ravishing in a nude creation by Versace Atelier with a dangerous high slit up her leg. Also looking fantastic were Diane Kruger, who costars in the film, in a Marchesa gown and Rob Pattinson in a Dolce and Gabanna tuxedo. Dita von Teese looked immaculate and glamorous as always in Christian Dior. I’m not quite sure if I fancy the Balmain dress Sharon Stone chose to wear.

The after party of the film was a total hit and it seems that Jolie might have had too many celebratory vodkas from the look of some images from the night. Paris Hilton, who has attended more parties than any actor or celebrity at Cannes, caused quite some scandal as well when she decided to dirty dance with Doug Reinhardt at a party she was hosting. A lot of tongues, underwear and get-a-room moves were captured by cell phones and paparazzi alike.

Later in the week the star studded Aids Benefit Amfar took place. Arriving at it where hostess Sharon Stone, wearing stunning black Christian Dior; actress Eva Green, who missed completely with hair and makeup for her fuchsia Indian inspired Christian Dior; Elsa Pataki in beaded Armani Privé; Hayden Panettiere (who could’ve used some gloss on her lips) in Marchesa; Eva Herzigova (looking worn out from all the previous partying since her arrival at Cannes) in red Dolce and Gabanna; Rob Pattinson once again in a Dolce and Gabanna tuxedo; supermodel Claudia Schiffer (still needing her teeth whitened) in black Dolce and Gabanna; Marion Cotillard in a Dior gown (the color of which was quite unflattering); and Robin Wright Penn, who had been looking extremely lovely during all events until this one. The same day that her husband Sean Penn announced his decision not to move on with divorce papers, she missed the mark in her choice of dress. Actress Diane Kruger looked beautiful in Chanel and participated in the auction show as did Rob Pattinson, who managed to get two fathers to pay $25000 each for a kiss on the cheek for their daughters from the sexy Twilight actor.

Even in tough economic times, good money was raised benefiting the Aids research charity Amfar. Until next year, this is it for the Cannes report.