Cannes shines through economic gloom

Talk of recession was put away tonight as the Cannes Film Festival got under way in upbeat mood.

There have been murmurs in recent weeks that the glitziest fortnight of the year on the most glamorous strip of coast in the world could have an unusually frugal feel as studios and promoters adapt to the gloomier economic climate.

The Vanity Fair magazine party, usually one of the hottest tickets to be had on the Riviera, has been cancelled, and hosts at many others are rumoured to have replaced champagne with sparkling wine.

But on the Croisette, the famous waterside drag which is home to the festival complex and many of Cannes’ most luxurious hotels, the mood was cheerful, helped by glorious sunshine and a buoyant – literally – opening film.

'Up', the new animated movie from Disney-Pixar, tells the story of a grumpy old balloon salesman who attaches countless balloons to his house and floats off on an adventure.

The film uses new 3D technology to add an extra dimension to the cinematic experience, requiring the audience at tonight’s gala screening to accessorise their tuxedos and evening gown finery with special glasses.

Hundreds of fans lined the Croisette to catch a glimpse of the stars on the red carpet, though the cast of Up offered little in the way of Hollywood glamour.

This year’s jury is chaired by French actress Isabelle Huppert and includes British writer Hanif Kureishi.

Only one woman has ever won the coveted Palme d’Or – Jane Campion in 1993 for 'The Piano' – but Kureishi was concerned about a different omission.

“To my knowledge we’ve not had a black or Asian president of the jury, so it will be interesting to see when we have that,” he said.

Campion is nominated again this year for Bright Star, a period drama about poet John Keats with a British cast and crew.

British directors Andrea Arnold and Ken Loach are also in the running for the main prize, 'Arnold for Fish Tank', a domestic drama starring Michael Fassbender, and Loach for 'Looking for Eric', a comedy starring former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona.

Alongside Fassbender, who won plaudits for his portrayal of Bobby Sands in last year’s 'Hunger', Arnold cast a complete unknown in one of the lead female roles.

Katie Jarvis, 17, was chosen after being spotted arguing with her boyfriend at Tilbury train station in Essex.

The three UK films face stiff competition from some cinema heavyweights as they battle for the Palme d’Or; legendary directors Pedro Almodovar from Spain, Lars von Trier from Denmark and Ang Lee from Taiwan are all up for the award.