DStv Channel 403 Saturday, 21 December 2024

Cannes fans dig deep for black-market tickets

Many punters come to Cannes hoping for a free ticket

CANNES - Two thousand euros for the world premiere of the latest "Indiana Jones", or how about 20,000 for an evening in the presence of Leonardo DiCaprio?

The black market for the top tickets at the Cannes Film Festival is in full swing.

While industry professionals and accredited journalists get in free, there are many general punters who show up in the hope of blagging or buying entry to the hottest events on the Cannes Croisette. 

Many hang around -- ready to go, in full evening dress -- outside the Palais des Festivals with signs, hoping for a freebie.

"I've already seen three films for free. Each time, nice people gave me a ticket," says Sienna, an Italian woman in her thirties who travelled all the way from Berlin.

A 25-year-old from Finland, who asked not to be identified, said he would be happy to cough up a bit of cash for "an Almodovar or the new Scorsese".

But while many benefit from the generosity of festivalgoers, others are looking to cash in.

An AFP journalist was offered a ticket for "Black Flies", Sean Penn's gruesome paramedic drama, for 50 euros ($54). 

If the generosity of strangers doesn't work, many Cannes hopefuls are ready to pay serious money
AFP | Stefano RELLANDINI

Not far away, Jenny, a young American from Miami who did not wish to give her surname, confided that she is a member of a WhatsApp group bringing together some 600 punters and sellers of tickets and invitations.

Screenshots of the conversations show someone offering a ticket to the premiere of "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" last week -- in the presence of Harrison Ford and the other stars -- for 2,000 euros.

Another is offering a ticket to a party attended by DiCaprio for "20,000 euros per person", while others for "after parties" range from 9,500 to 16,500 euros. 

Who can afford to pay such sums? 

"Influencers who have millions of followers and just want to be seen," says Jenny. "For them and the brands they promote, 2,000 euros is nothing."

To have ended up on these groups, the QR codes must have been "resold by unscrupulous professionals to make some money", she added.

The festival said it "takes action, in consultation with the police and judicial authorities" as soon as it is informed of black-market ticket sales. 

"Sentences have been given in the past," the organisers told AFP, though police said there had been no investigations so far this year.

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