Close of a Cannes to remember

Close of a Cannes to remember

The 64th Cannes Film Festival comes to a close tonight after two weeks of glamour, hard partying and controversy.

An awards ceremony will bestow the festival's highest honour, the Palme d'Or, with the winning film decided by a jury led this year by Oscar winner Robert de Niro.

Another jury will decide the festival's second most prestigious prize, forwhich 21 films - including South Africa'sSkoonheid - have vied in the Un Certain Regard (a particular point of view) section.

The nomination of Skoonheid followed that of South African director Oliver Schmitz, who was nominated last year in the same category for Life, Above All. The film went on to show in festivals around the world and will be released in the UK and US in the next few weeks.

Skoonheid director Oliver Hermanus said at the film's premiere: "Cannes is the last place in the world that treats cinema like an opera, so when you go to the theatre, it's a huge event."

Films that divided critics this year included Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life and Lars von Trier's Melancholia . Von Trier caused outrage when, on being asked about German influences in his work, joked about being a Nazi and understanding Hitler, and called Israelis a "pain in the ass".

Von Trier appeared to be making the comments in jest, but they made actress Kirsten Dunst, who stars in his film, visibly uncomfortable.

The Cannes board ordered him apologise and banned him from the festival. His film, however, remained in competition.

Star power was on the up at this year's festival. Model Naomi Campbell held a Fashion for Relief ball at which she took to the catwalk with screen legend Jane Fonda and tennis star Novak Djokovic.

Fonda was a prominent guest at Cannes, walking the red carpet for the premiere of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, which stars Hugh Jackman.

Rob Lowe also attended with Gwen Stefani and her singer husband, Gavin Rossdale.

Lowe, Jamie Foxx and Jude Law, a jury member, were among those who enjoyed the music of Duran Duran at a party hosted by an alcohol company.

Cannes darlings Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie strutted the red carpet for their respective films, The Tree of Life and a sequel to Kung Fu Panda.

South African model Candice Boucher attended her first festival, promoting the Bollywood action thriller Azaan , which was shot all over the world, including in Cape Town.