Popcorn, palm trees and face masks: Cannes rolls out drive in cinema

With cinemas, theatres and restaurants still closed as France cautiously unwinds its coronavirus lockdown, people watched a movie at The Riviera resor
...
People sit in their cars to watch the movie - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - by Steven Spielberg at a drivein cinema at la Pointe Croisette, during the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Cannes, France. (REUTERS)
People sit in their cars to watch the movie - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - by Steven Spielberg at a drivein cinema at la Pointe Croisette, during the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Cannes, France.

The Riviera resort of Cannes should have been playing host to the world's biggest names in film. Instead, with its annual film festival postponed and the red carpet rolled up, locals made do with a drive-in cinema in a beachfront car park.

As dusk fell, the audience settled down in their convertible sports cars and family run-arounds, popcorn on the dashboard and children hanging out the windows, to watch Steven Spielberg's 1980s Classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Gt Force Drive Plus (HT Auto photo)
Range Icon110 km/charge
₹ 1.03 Lakhs
Compare
Gt Force Drive Pro (HT Auto photo)
Range Icon65 km/charge
₹ 67,801 - 90,530
Compare
View Offers
Tvs Iqube Electric (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon4.56 kWh Range Icon100 km
₹ 1.17 - 1.23 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Bajaj Chetak (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon3.2 kWh Range Icon126 km
₹ 1.15 - 1.35 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Evolet Raptor (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
MaxSpeed Icon100 Kmph
₹ 1 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Pure Ev Epluto 7g Pro (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon3 kWh Range Icon150 Km
₹99,999
Compare

With cinemas, theatres and restaurants still closed as France cautiously unwinds its coronavirus lockdown, people were content to watch a movie outdoors on a balmy evening on the Mediterranean coast.

Also Read : Porsches, popcorn and social distancing at Dubai drive-in cinema

"You've got to make the most of the moment. It makes up for things a bit," said one woman. She had driven to the Palm Beach with her grown-up son, who sat next to her wearing a face mask.

As dusk fell, the audience settled down in their convertible sports cars and family runarounds, popcorn on the dashboard and children hanging out the windows. (REUTERS)
As dusk fell, the audience settled down in their convertible sports cars and family runarounds, popcorn on the dashboard and children hanging out the windows. (REUTERS)

The 51 vehicles allowed to the screening were parked in every other space and staff wearing face-shields scanned barcodes on tickets.

The Cannes Film Festival was originally scheduled to take place from May 12-23. Beyond the star-studded screenings, production and distribution firms head to the Cote d'Azur to complete deals.

(Also see pics: From weddings to Starbucks and more, how cars are the new social hub)

It is not the first time the festival has been postponed. Its inaugural event in 1939 was cut short after the opening screening of the "Hunchback of Notre Dame" because of Germany's invasion of Poland the next day.

It was also interrupted in May 1968 as a student revolt and labour protests swept across France.

Cannes mayor David Lisnard said it was the town's way of paying hommage to cinema, and to show that "we miss the movies."

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date: 21 May 2020, 16:04 PM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.