The star-studded Calvin Klein Women in Film soiree could not have come at a more appropriate moment — at a Cannes Film Festival where the death of women directors has been a major theme.
The gilded guest list of top actresses used the glamorous event on the grounds of a private mansion to speak out about equality — and perhaps show off their designer clothes.
Emily Blunt looked ravishing in a figure-hugging cream sheath — and struck a cynical tone on the cinema landscape parity.
“You’ll have a hit movie that women are at the forefront of and people are like ‘Oh, it’s all changing.’ And then I feel like it resorts back to what it was before … But I do feel that things are changing,” said Blunt, who stars in “Sicario,” one of the 19 films competing this year for Cannes’ top prize.
Rachel Weisz called it “very sad that an event like tonight has to happen.”
“We make up 51 percent of planet Earth and we’re just very disproportionately represented, in terms of directors and writers – the people in charge of the storytelling. So we just need more films from women’s points of view,” she said.
French actress Melanie Laurent, who’s been cast in Angelina Jolie’s next directorial effort “By The Sea,” lavished praise on her boss.
Auction – DiCaprio buys USD13,600 bag for charity
Who knew Leonardo DiCaprio had an eye for Chanel bags?
The actor plunked down 10,000 euros (USD13,620 for a blue Chanel Neoprene flap bag, embroidered with flowers, on the Croisette this week. But it was all for charity, as part of an auction at the annual Heart Fund Gala, also attended by Paris Hilton, actor Gary Dourdan and featuring a performance by Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def).
DiCaprio outbid several suitors for the purse, but was himself out-bid on two other items, including a vacation at one of the luxury resorts of Nikki Beach Worldwide.
Bey performed a brief set, during which he shouted out to friend DiCaprio.
The Heart Fund offers cardiovascular care across the globe for impoverished children. Heart surgeons have donated their services to perform costly operations.
Last year, with the support of Nikki Beach owners Jack and Lucia Penrod, the organization was able to purchase a bus that would act as a mobile hospital to screen and treat children; it was unveiled at this year’s gala.
This year’s goal is a plane outfitted with medical equipment to perform surgeries, and it was achieved as one benefactor donated 5 million euros ($6.8 million).
Satisfaction – Rolling Stones rock small LA club ahead of stadium tour
The Rolling Stones ripped through the intimate Fonda Theatre this week with enough energy to fuel their entire 15-city North American tour.
The band announced Wednesday morning it would perform a “club show” that night to kick off its Zip Code tour, which launches Sunday in San Diego. The surprise concert at the 1,300-person-capacity venue instantly sold out. And one fan outside the theater offered USD4,000 for one ticket.
The Stones played for an hour and a half, including the entire “Sticky Fingers” album, with the same enthusiasm they had when the record was released in 1971. “So this is our first show of our tour,” an animated Jagger told the crowd. “Tonight we’re doing something we’ve never done before… We’re going to do the whole of ‘Sticky Fingers.’”
The group is re-releasing the album next week. They played each of the tracks as promised, with Jagger exhibiting the energy of a high-school cheerleader throughout. (Doesn’t he know he’s 71?!) He strutted and boogied, puffed out his birdlike chest, punched the air and wiggled his wiry frame. He grinned and clapped and urged the audience to join along. And he was in exceptionally fine voice. Who cares if he can’t hit the very highest notes anymore?
Keith Richards was in fine voice, too, and extra smiley. With his white hair and gray pallor, The 71-year-old guitarist kind of looks like he’s made of cigarette ashes, but his guitar is ever young, and Richards looked like he was having fun.
Same for Ronnie Wood, all cheekbones and sinew, and drummer Charlie Watts, who shared a toothy smile with Jagger.
At times, there were as many as 11 musicians on stage, with two keyboardists, two backup singers, two saxophone players and a bassist joining the four Stones members.
Jagger was the master of ceremonies, and he was in great spirits.
Not leaving Las Vegas – Celine Dion will dedicate return to ailing husband
Celine Dion is heading back to the Las Vegas stage after a year off caring for her ailing husband and says he will be there as she dedicates his return to him.
Dion was passionate backstage at the Billboard Music Awards when she spoke about resuming her series of shows on Aug. 27 and preparing to pay tribute to Rene Angelil, who has been recovering after having a cancerous tumor removed last year.
“He wants me back. He wants me strong. He wants to see me again because I’m his favorite singer,” Dion said of her husband Sunday. “So he wants me out there, and I have to say that I’m ready. It’s hard, but we’re ready.”
Dion, 47, is returning to The Colosseum stage at Caesars Palace after a yearlong hiatus to care for her husband, give her inflamed throat muscles a chance to heal and spend time with her three children. The singer’s residency will resume with 40 performances between August and January.
Dion said she’s been impressed by Angelil’s involvement and encouragement of her tour, from production to songs.
“Knowing he’s got a lot of weight on his shoulder … it’s very touching for me because he wants me to have a good time. It’s not selfish, it’s like, ‘I’m with you. I want you strong. I want you back. I want to see you perform again,’” she said at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. “If there’s going to be one person in the theater that night, it’s going to be him.”
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