Madame Présidente

Up and out of the swampy room and onto the Eurostar.  A disappointingly short journey to Lille, under 90 minutes, but met and taken to the Hotel Carlton.  I am on the Jury Panoramique for the Festival.  That’s the junior of the two juries, equivalent to Un Certain Regard at Cannes.  We are looking for the more quirky diverse shows.  We are judging 10 shows this week and having a LOT of lunches, dinners and soirées. 

The day began with the two juries (the other is the International jury) having an exquisite lunch at the Clarance Hotel. Absolute treat food, very fresh and clever. See the pudding in extras, it was very light and delicious. 

 I then went to buy some shoes as it was clear my footwear wasn’t going to cut it with the dress. 

Found some beauties at Essential Antwerp, not too pricey will last for ages.  Then went had hair and make up in the room which is always fun if a bit alarming as there was no mirror to check progress.  The hair was a bit OTT but the jury all definitely scrubbed up.  Cocktails somewhere before the red carpet, this is the president of our jury, a French novelist called Lola Lafon, I must read something of hers. She is self described as an anarchist and a feminist - very French.  

The big event of the night was the premier of the French language Apple TV show Carême, about the great chef who turns out to be a spy as well.  It was…French, a lot of food and sex.   And he wasn’t even a very good spy.  

Then the gala party which was right across from the hotel so I didn’t stay long.  Bed by around 1…so only midnight in UK.