In brief
Cannes locals and festival-goers faced challenges as 160,000 homes lost power, but the show must go on!
In a surprising twist, a massive power outage hit Cannes and surrounding areas on the final day of the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival. Approximately 160,000 homes were left in the dark as the electricity operator RTE confirmed the cut. The city is investigating a possible arson attack as the culprit behind the incident. Despite the power issues, festival organizers have assured attendees that the closing ceremony will proceed as planned using an alternative power source. Meanwhile, local businesses found themselves struggling to keep up, with restaurant owner Laurent Aboukrat expressing his concerns about spoiled food in his establishment. "Cannes is in total slowdown, meltdown," said Australian producer Darren Vukasinovic, highlighting the chaotic scene with empty coffee shops and depleted croissant supplies.Restoration efforts were underway, with power fully restored by 15:00 local time (11:00 GMT), allowing the festival to continue. On this bittersweet note, all eyes are on French actress Juliette Binoche and her jury, who are set to announce the prestigious Palme d'Or winner later that day, ensuring that the spirit of Cannes remains alive despite the temporary setback.
