I’ve had a relatively uninteresting few days viewing-wise. To be honest, I haven’t actually seen anything. Friday brought about the press conference of the wonderful Drive, where I got to ask Nicolas Winding Refn a question. (Watch from 31:40; and apologies in advance for my bad camera angle.) I must say, it was pretty surreal later on looking up at the TV in the wifi room while working to see my head in my notes on the screen as I’m experiencing my brush of boldness.

I had what I thought was the closest thing to a badass party experience on Friday night when I went to a local karaoke bar with my new director friend and her new (Italian) distributor. And missed the last train back to Nice. So I’ve walked around the city on Saturday in the same clothes, lugging the laptop etc. in my (now breaking) bag around the city in my attempt to do some actual sightseeing. I do need a break from films sometimes!

While writing has been the main focus, I thought I might have once last crack at trying to get an invitation to the proper red-carpet screenings. I’ve heard different things about applying for invitations and then seeing the ‘beggars’. Asking about the Closing Ceremony, I was told I can only attend the regular press screening. I’m not sure they understood me properly. But that’s the thing about being at a European festival — the dominance of the French is overwhelming as many of the staff don’t speak much English and just brush you off. I’m not whingeing though, I swear; there’s just a genuine vibe they give off when they know you’re from elsewhere. Except for the chap guarding the press room, he’s great. And the city itself has very friendly people. After exploring the place a bit, I realised just how much the Festival adds more excitement to an already lively place. There’s more to Cannes than just the festival and it takes a bit of venturing out to realise — the public would know all about that, I’m sure, as they basically have no choice but to accept how little the festival is willing to involve them. Case and point was meeting a couple from Perth who knew nothing about the festival. If I weren’t here as press I know I’d be peeved, but at the same time I’ve been glad to discover there’s actually other things to do. The food for one is incredible… I don’t want to think about the weight I’ve gained.

The closing day of the festival doesn’t offer too much — just re-screenings of all the films in competition over the course of the day before the Closing Ceremony/Film and then Press Conferences of the Jury and award winners. I’m just glad they had the brown drink (‘Renforce’) left. Re-energise! But all in all, it’s been an amazing week here at Cannes. While I missed the absolute craziness of the first weekend (said to be unthinkably crazy), I have definitely experienced the thing! I feel like I’ve just started to find my groove and it’s wrapping up.

Post-festival note: I ended up at the VIP Room nightclub on closing (Sunday) night with my two roommates and an artist who knew the owner. We all got back to Nice at 8:30am. No celebrities, but pretentious European wannabe glamour at a somewhat good (trashy) level. There was Dom Perignon being sprayed all around and the revolving dancefloor served us well. The Tree of Life wasn’t exactly a dark horse to win but from all reports worth the accolades. I’m glad to see Nicolas Winding Refn win Best Director for Drive though, fitting recognition.

—

For more of Katina’s coverage of the 2011 Cannes film festival, click here.

Follow the author Katina Vangopoulos on Twitter.