The 72nd Cannes Film Festival 2019

Earlier today in Cannes, the 72nd annual film festival poster was unveiled which pays tribute to the late director Agnes Varda who passed away last month at the age of 90.

The poster shows Varda, aged 26, standing on the shoulders of a technician, shooting her first film La Pointe Courte in 1954. The film would screen at the Cannes Film Festival the following year.
 

Thirteen of Varda’s films were showcased in Official Selection at Cannes over the years. She was a jury member in 2005, president of the Caméra d’Or jury in 2013 and received an honorary Palme d’Or in 2015.

In a statement from the film festival organizers, “Avant-garde but popular, intimate yet universal, her films have led the way,” said the festival. ”And so, perched high on this pyramid, surveying the beach at Cannes, young and eternal, Agnès Varda will be the inspirational guiding light of this 72nd edition of the Festival.”

There is a definite buzz this time of year in the French Riviera surrounding the upcoming 72nd Cannes Film Festival that takes place May 14 to May 25, 2019.
 

Although preparations have been going on for months, you can still sense an awakening in the springtime air with those in the business community getting everything prepared for when this part of France goes up on the world stage.

The Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival will be unveiled this Thursday (April 18).

AIDES Nice

A couple of weeks ago my partner and I were leaving a friend’s bar and noticed the AIDES Nice mobile medical unit van parked outside the front door.

Having seen this van at other LGBTQ venues and events, basically year round both day and night, we thought we’d chat with those working with the organization since we have known of their work in the community and although we knew the answer to our results, we thought it can’t hurt to get tested again to show support.

Outside of the van they had small banners set up and offered all kinds of health advice and free condoms. When they were ready, we each got tested separately inside the van in what feels like a clean, safe and totally discreet environment.

You answer a few questions; the staff member goes through all the procedures with you without judgement and is very professional and pleasant to talk to before, during and after the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test.

These workers actually speak a number of languages, so if you had any questions, there is no need to hesitate and it all stays completely confidential.

The rapid diagnostic test they use is known by the brand name, HIV Combo Alere and it screens HIV1 and HIV2 infections from the previous six weeks or more.

This pack test the staff member did was extremely easy and even though it was well after midnight when they were offering this service for the location at the time, the people we met with at AIDES Nice could not be more welcoming and pleasant. At the end you get your results and they are noted on paper for your behalf.

We find this to be an exceptional and important service provided for free in the region, so if you happen to see one of the white AIDES mobile medical units at either an open event or business establishment, do yourself a favor and get tested.