On Saturday night, the Cote d’Azur was struck by the worst storm of the past 20 years, nearly paralyzing the whole region. MIPCOM-ers arriving after 11 p.m. on Saturday had to spend the night at the Nice Airport, since all the roads to Cannes were closed, flooded or blocked by strained cars. Internet service was basically non-existent as was telephone service, which was spotty with just some Telcos operating.
In Cannes, the Palais basement was flooded as well as the bunker (level P1); all cash dispensers (ATMs) and credit card authorizing machines were not working. The Martinez Hotel, site of MIPJunior, had its basement flooded and lost electricity.
Somewhat fortunately, the storm only affected Sunday, MIPJunior’s second day and the day before MIPCOM’s opening. (Flood damage in the Martinez Hotel led to the suspension of the MIPJunior screenings; Sunday’s MIPJunior conferences were transferred to the Palais des Festivals’ Esterel Auditorium.)
In any case, all were aware of the incoming problem and therefore were well prepared, even the flooded press room by the old port to the third floor of the Palais. And MIPCOM opened on time on Monday morning.
Even the pre-opening TV Screening of The Art of More, presented by Sony Pictures Television, took place as scheduled on Sunday evening in the Palais des Festivals Grand Auditorium at 6 p.m.
One casualty of the flooding: The traditional Opening Night Red Carpet. “Following the heavy flooding over the weekend, The Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez is not in a position to host the Red Carpet,” Reed Midem announced.
But, as predicted in the VideoAge Monthly, from Sunday through Tuesday there were a record number of parties (all parties went on as scheduled on Sunday).
On Monday, Disney Media Distribution staged one of the most lavish parties in the whole of Cannes themed around Star Wars.
And things have been busy throughout. Corridors (many without carpeting because of the flood damage, especially in the -1 level), were extra crowded — even during lunchtime, and business was recorded at all levels (sales, coproductions, dubbing and network-commissioned series).
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