The 68th Cannes Film Festival feels close in proximity but yet oh so far away.  I do have a friend who is in attendance who will get to see all of the films well ahead of us regular folk. Lucky him.

It was refreshing to see that a French film La Tête Haute (Standing Tall) was headlining the festival as this key position is usually reserved for an American blockbuster and Mad Max : Fury Road was thought to fit that bill.  Emmanuelle Bercot directs La Tête Haute and she is only the second female director to open the festival. The first occurrence was way back in 1987.  This move to open with La Tête Haute was likely in response to the claims that Cannes suffers from an under representation of women directors.  Although it would be fair to say that this isn’t just limited to Cannes. It is typical of the film industry in general and would suggest that female viewpoints and stories are in scarce supply on the big screen. It also stars Catherine Deneuve, now the grande dame of French cinema.

There were some great frocks out on the first day. I’m sure my fascination with these dresses fulfils some twisted princess fantasy.  I never have the opportunity to wear anything remotely resembling these gowns and they’re so out of my price range.  Anyway I love to look.

Here are the best in my opinion. Hands down for me was Lupita Nyong’o in her gorgeous green Gucci dress.  Her choices are always vibrant and slightly offbeat.  The colour looks absolutely brilliant on her and it stands out on the red carpet.  Stunning.

My other picks are of the more classic variety.  Naomi Watts looked elegant.  She usually does at these events.  For Cannes she’s in Elie Saab Couture – silver grey feathers and shimmer that is just beautiful.  The back of the gown was cut out too. Her film Sea of Trees is in competition at Cannes.

Julianne Moore is my perennial fashion favourite and I love her work.  She is on a roll with interesting, stand out roles at present. She charmed in Armani Privé with a gorgeous feathered wrap over her sequinned long gown. Moore is the mistress of simplicity (well as much as a gorgeous gown can be termed so) on the red carpet. She was on hand to collect last year’s prize for Best Actress for David Cronenberg‘s Maps To The Stars. If you haven’t seen this film, it’s a darkly comedic take on Hollywood and she has a few fantastic scenes, the toilet episode is still etched in my memory.

Sienna Miller is on the jury at Cannes and for the evening she stepped out in a simple blue Lanvin gown.  She looked stunning with bright red lips and an up do.  She’s really having her moment again. By her side are Xavier Dolan on the left and Jake Gyllenhaal on the right.

Have you seen the photos?  Any favourites?

Notes : Images : Lupita Nyong’o : Vanity Fair : Naomi Watts : eonline.com : Julianne Moore : closermag.fr : Sienna Miller : staticibnlive.in.com