During the festival here in Cannes, there is a whole other world outside of the screenings. However, this world is only accessible to those with a badge. A winding line is always present outside the palais and market but on the first day, my cinephile badge (one that allows me to go to certain film screenings) did not allow me to get in. I soon found out just how many different kinds and levels of badges there were. Black, yellow, blue, white, and others but what really is the discrepancy between all of them? No one seems to know.

What I do know however is that with my new badge I now have access to the marketplace which is a massive complex that truthfully comes across as a maze. However, I do not have the magical gift of wifi unlike many of the other badges yet still am able to walk around and chat with everyone. The ambiance inside is very social, meetings being held left and right as companies attempt to give their best pitch. This is the side of the film festival that most people do not get to see, in fact much more goes on inside the secured walls than on the red carpet.

It may be strange to some but there is a sense of power that comes along with wearing a simple lanyard with your name and picture on a plastic card. Nevertheless, my power is no match for the ubiquitous big boys in grey suits.

By: James Cullen