Cannes Film Festival Faces Major Power Outage Amid Suspected Foul Play—Closing Ceremony Set to Go On!

Cannes experienced a significant power outage on Saturday morning, just hours before the prestigious film festival’s awards ceremony. Despite the setback, a festival representative assured that the closing ceremony would go on as scheduled, thanks to the Palais des Festivals switching to an independent power source.

The outage may have stemmed from malicious activities, with reports of arson and severed power line pylons in the Alpes-Maritimes region. Karin Topin-Condomitti, director of services at Cannes city hall, mentioned potential investigations into these suspicious incidents.

During the outage, starting around 10:15 a.m., parts of the city lost power, affecting media events and interrupting screenings in several venues. Many attendees flocked to the J.W. Marriott for internet access, although power issues persisted there as well. Additionally, numerous restaurants couldn’t function properly, leading to cash-only transactions as ATMs were nonoperational.

By 2:20 p.m., power had not yet returned. However, the city’s mayor, David Lisnard, stated that the energy company EDF was working hard to restore service. Reports linked the disruption to possible arson incidents at the nearby Saint-Cassien power plant.

Despite these challenges, the festival was set to continue with its awards ceremony at 6:40 p.m. CET. Renowned figures like jury president Juliette Binoche and other members such as Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong were scheduled to present top honors, including the coveted Palme d’Or.

Power outages aren’t new to Cannes; in fact, historical events often reveal how resilience plays a key role in overcoming such disruptions. For instance, similar incidents have occurred during major events in other cities, emphasizing the importance of contingency plans for large gatherings.

The festival has faced challenges in the past, but organizers always find ways to adapt. As this year’s event showcases, the spirit of Cannes remains strong, even in the face of adversity.

For more insights into power outages and their impacts on big events, you can visit Franceinfo’s report.

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