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These days would be starlets strip down completely and bump and grind on the Croisette hoping to attract attention, any kind of attention, from the 6,000 journalists. The directors and stars, all carefully groomed in the spirit of Riviera casual, give the same careful interviews ali day. Although the big American studios have traditionally shunned the festival what's the point, they said, when their own Oscars mean more at the box office than a Cannes Palme d'Or? the importance of the international entertainment market has brought agrowing <br />
streamoverfrom Hollywood.Thewheelingand dealing that goes on can sometimes come from unexpected quarters. In 1993, a ship full of raw Russian sailors caused a sensation by anchoring within spitting distance of the Palais des Festivals with a vast contraband cargo of vodka a.nd smoked salmon.The next day, most of the jurors slept through the screening of the films in competition. Nor was it the last time.<br />
Other European film festivals in Berlin and Venice have of late given Cannes a run for its money, and critics have suggested that Cannes has had its day. After ali, the average age of film-makers in the main competition is now 53 years. But Cannes shouldn't be shrugged off just yet. In true Riviera style it rollicks on, courting controversy wherever possible - if only for the publicity.<br />";
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