The 13 Tackiest Cannes PR Stunts, From Blake Lively’s Sharks to Sacha Baron Cohen’s Mankini (Photos)
Cannes, the glamorous festival, has seen some crazy PR stunts over the years, from Sacha Baron Cohen’s mankini to Blake Lively’s fake sharks.
Faux “Terror Raid” to Promote Oraxy
Guests at Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc got a surprise visit by men outfitted in militia-themed gear last year, approaching the hotel by boat. Later, it was revealed it was a publicity stunt for the Paris-based Oraxy, which describes itself as “the world’s first private global marketplace reserved exclusively for UHNWI,” or Ultra High Net Worth Individuals.
Sacha Baron Cohen Wears Green Gross Mankini
In 2006, Sacha Baron Cohen sported a bright green male thong known as the “mankini” to promote “Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.”
Sacha Baron Cohen Brings a Camel to the Palais
In 2012, “The Dictator” actor turned at at the Cannes Film Festival with two model bodyguards and a camel. He even managed to fall off the camel, which bore a license plate with “Wadiya 1” on it – a reference to the fictional North African Republic of Wadiya, where “The Dictator” was set.
T.J. Miller‘s Parachutes in to Debut “Emoji Movie” Trailer
To promote Sony’s “The Emoji Movie,” T.J. Miller parasailed into Cannes in 2017 before unveiling the first official trailer for the film, in which he voices Gene, the Meh emoji.
“The Shallows” Brings in Fake Sharks
To promote Blake Lively’s nautical horror film, Screen Gems plotted fake sharks in the French Riviera.
Faux Snow for “A Christmas Carol”
Disney tapped Jim Carrey for a new version of “A Christmas Carol” in 2009 — and decided to bring the holiday spirit to Cannes by covering the Croisette with snow. Not the best example of reading the room or, in this case, the luxurious French beach town in the middle of May. Shout out to Robin Wright and Colin Firth in the background looking horrified at the faux snowball fight.
Jerry Seinfeld Flies In to Promote “Bee Movie”
In 2007, Jerry Seinfeld took Cannes by air in promoting his big animated push for Disney, an effort for which he served as writer and star and recruited pals like Chris Rock to costars. Zip-lining in wearing a giant bee costume might be worse than his notorious “Seinfeld” puffy shirt.
Angelina Jolie, Will Smith Ride Inflatable Shark
Will Smith, Angelina Jolie and Jack Black rode a 14-foot inflatable shark to promote “Shark Tale” in 2004.
“Trolls” Wigs
Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake came to promote “Trolls” last year with an array of women wearing bright colored outfits and wigs reminiscent of the costumes in the movie. Also, they’re all in gowns – play on Cannes fashion?
Gaspar Noe’s Graphic Makeout Posters to Promote “Love”
Gaspar Noe at first shocked — and then satisfied – critics with his depiction of sex on film. He was praised for depicting the joyous and fervent act and staying mostly out of the realm of straight-up pornography. Promoting the film, however, was a different story. Producers wallpapered Cannes in posters of a saliva-covered triple kiss and an NSFW image of a penis and a woman’s breast after climax.
Dolph Lundgren, Jean-Claude Van Damme Hold Impromptu Stage Fight
Both “Universal Soldier” actors held a stage fight on the steps of the formal staircase in 1992. Many believed it was real.
Dead pigeons for “24 Hour Party People”
In 2002, actors impersonating the band Happy Mondays wanted to mimic a scene of the movie when they started throw fake dead pigeons from the beach onto the unaware public, who believed thousands of dead birds were falling from the sky. BBC reported that the actors attacked each other with the dead birds while covered in blood.
Felix Van Groeningen Rides Through The Streets Naked on Bikes
The filmmaker behind Directors Fortnight contender “The Misfortunates” decided to recreate a scene from his film where a dysfunctional family rides their bicycles in the nude. Just hours before a press conference, the director and his team disrobed and flew down the Croisette in the buff. A staffer on a motorcycle followed close behind with their underwear, in case French police got a gander at them.
