In Her Own Words: Chloe Fineman on Her First Cannes
This morning, I woke up to a text from Shia [LaBeouf]: “This shit is legendary. Cannes with Coppola!” I immediately respond, “Cannes you believe it? I Cannes wait!” Disclaimer: I didn’t actually text this back, but simply Cannes not stop making these puns. Everything feels magical and surreal, and it’s not just because I was up from 2 A.M.–5 A.M. because I am terrible at jet lag. Fortunately, SNL has destroyed my need for actual sleep, so I start my day with three iced coffees and head to my last-minute fittings.
I am staying at the Carlton, which is arguably the most fantastical hotel I’ve ever seen. In the lobby, I run into Meryl Streep’s agent and nearly faint at the thought of being in the same hotel as her...MERYL. I wrote my college essay on Meryl, and the thought of even seeing her in person makes me tear up. OK...I must be jet-legged! Also, something about the property reminds me of a James Bond film. Casino Royale? That said, I am informed we must go to (insert hotel) to try on Cartier diamonds, because the Carlton won’t allow all the armed men. Oh yes, reader! Cartier diamonds require two to four armed men, because I guess I am in a James Bond film.
We arrive at the hotel and I am met with total deja vu. Black-and-white photos of Ryan Gosling, Diane Kruger, and every gorgeous movie star flank the walls and I realize my dad actually showed me this hotel when I was a kid. To reveal my deeply woo-woo side, my dad is a big believer in dreaming big and we made a bee line to Cannes when I was 10 years old so he could “plant the seed” of this magical dream of being an actor and making movies. Guys!!! I’m here! It worked! I’m mildly kidding, but it really is a pinch-me moment.
Now for the diamonds. I try on the most beautiful necklace and nearly faint again. I am afraid to ask how much it is, and when I’m told it’s vintage I make sure the guards will be at the event. My stylist and dear friend Yael Quint asks what year it’s from and they reply “2004.” So, ELLE, the year I lost my virginity is now deemed vintage. Lol.
We try on the necklace with the most gorgeous Celine couture dress in existence. It fits like a glove and couldn’t be more glamorous. With the diamonds, it’s the best I’ve ever looked. I text my sister a pic and she replies, “STUNNING! It’s giving chic Jessica Rabbit. Like, chic, gorgeous glamour.” I’m confused at first by this text, but then remember how glamorous Jessica Rabbit is. Regardless, it makes me laugh. Just then, Yael gets a text and gasps like she won the lottery. “Celine got the bag!” she cries. I should note that Yael is also woo-woo like me and brought some sort of witch concoction oil with her, which she rubbed on our wrists an hour earlier and told me to make a wish. Turns out her wish was for this very bag! I immediately ask to buy the oil.
Back at the Carlton, I run into Aubrey Plaza, who has never looked more like a movie star to me. Then I see Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, and Giancarlo Esposito. Getting together with your former co-stars feels similar to reuniting with your camp friends. Filming Megalopolis was like taking everything I’ve ever loved and just doing exactly that for five months straight. I was worried it would be weird to see people a year later—would there still be flames? A spark? It’s almost like seeing an old lover—but it’s as if no time has passed. It’s just cozy and inspiring and I’m reminded how insanely lucky I am to be part of this. Finally, I head back up to room to begin getting ready.
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