Birthplace of the World’s Seventh Art

Have you ever watched “La Sortie des ouvriers de l'usine Lumière”, the world’s first motion picture? Since Louis and Auguste Lumière, two French brothers unveiled their invention the Cinematographe with a brief film showing workers leaving the Lumière factory in 1895, filmmaking is referred as the seventh art, with a combination of architecture, sculpture, painting, music, dance, and poetry, by the Italian film theoretician Ricciotto Canudo in the 19th century.

Alongside Venice and Berlin, Cannes is one of the “Big Three” major European film festivals. However, its history is full of twists and turns. To counter Mussolini and Hitler’s stranglehold on the Venice Film Festival’s prize list, the first attempt of Cannes Film Festival was cancelled in 1939. It was not until 1946 that the first Festival was held in the former municipal casino. With the inauguration of the Palais Croisette, the Festival thus was hosted in this venue for 33 years.

The first International Film Festival took place at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes, which is a reference in hosting global events. Inside its white glass building with a breathtaking sea view, it hosts an average of 150 events over 320 days annually, and generates nearly a billion euros in annual economic spin-offs. Touch the myth with over 150 footprints in the Chemin des Étoiles and take as many selfies as you can in the starry trompe-l'oeil staircase.

Little did we know that it was a small fishing village. It all began in the Suquet. In the 19th century, the British nobleman Lord Brougham developed the coastal path and turned it into a famous resort attracting the rich from Britain and Russia. Not to mention the Cannes Film Festival started to attract world-famous stars since 1946, and the rigorous selection of films has contributed to the international renown of Cannes.

Besides exploring its history, one can taste the Provencal speciality in Marché Forville, such as socca, calissons and ratatouille; or shop in the flagship stores of famous brands in La Croisette, in search of luxury and stylish. If time allows, a 15-minute boat trip brings the visitor to Sainte Marguerite Island. While mountain and national forest alongside the turquoise water are ideal for nature lovers, visiting Royal Fort allows you to discover the history of mysterious Marchioly.

Où le septième art est né?

Certains Parisiens décrivent la France comme Paris et la province, mais pourquoi mettent-ils parfois l'accent sur Cannes? C’est la raison pour laquelle le Festival de Cannes est l'un des « Trois Grands » festivals de films, aux côtés de la Mostra de Venise et la Berlinale.

En fait, le premier Festival de Cannes est annulé en 1939, dans le but de contrer la mainmise de Mussolini et Hitler sur le palmarès de la Mostra de Venise. Il faut attendre 1946 pour que sa première édition ait a eu lieu, en renforçant son prestige comme capitale du cinéma international.

Le Palais accueille plus de 150 évènements, en générant près d'un milliard d'euros chaque année. Non seulement la valeur monétaire, mais le cinéma français aussi réfléchit les valeurs des différentes générations. À Nice, ma famille d’accueil préfère les films des années 1960 par Jean Gabin. Ils trouvent la Nouvelle Vague très avant-garde.

De « Un homme et une femme » à « Yannick ». De « Bande à part » à « Jeux d'enfants ». Bien que je croie avoir bien compris le cinéma français, je ne me suis pas rendu compte que le septième art est né à Lyon, grâce à la Fresque des Lyonnais avec l'art mural « La Sortie de l'Usine Lumière ».