Pan-African film fest, April 18-23

The other film festival in Cannes, the International Pan-African Film festival, will kick off this year on April 18 with a special reception on the beach of the Noga Hotel. Guests this year include Marie-Ange Banbancourt, Emile Abossolo MBO, Roger Cantin, Wyoma, Oxaï Roura and Serge Diantantu. The line-up includes films from across the African diaspora (notably a strong selection from the US), as well as featuring fashion, music events and workshops on the island of Sainte Marguerite.

Smoking ban in Cannes?

Heaven for some, hell for others, the smoking ban in cafés, restaurants, "bar-tabacs" and casinos that was introduced in France on January 1 obviously affects Cannes as well. The big question is how vigilantly will it be applied? French cafes and restaurants globally tend to be pretty smoker-friendly. But if a country as strong-headed as Ireland has learnt to comply, I can't see why France can't. On the practical side, Cannes has many terraces that smokers can use. Some of the bars spill into the streets anyway. So smokers can rest assured that there should still be a way to catch a quick puff.

In case you get involved in a discussion with restaurant owners, here are two figures worth remembering: the fine for smoking can be up to €450; and the fine for the owner is €750. Don't expect too much indulgence from them.

Prisoner breaks out using helicopter - again

A helicopter from Cannes was used in a daring breakout recently. Pascal Payet organsied for a helicopter hijacked from Cannes to land on the roof of his prison, and then fly him to Brignoles north of Toulon. This is the third helicopter escape Payet, a convicted murderer, has been involved in. The pilot was released unharmed.

Mr Bean does Cannes

Although not many people actually noticed it, a film was being shot at last year's Cannes festival: "Mr Bean's Holiday", the second feature from Rowan Atkinson's comic character. In the film, Mr Bean buys a raffle ticket and through a series of tricks and mishaps finds himself on a train to Cannes with a video camera. He meets a range of movie characters and becomes one of the sensations on the Croisette.

The reviews are so-so. But a few quotes caught my attention. The film is in many ways a homage to the French comic Jacques Tati and his classic "Mr Hulot's Holiday". One of the characters in the film is an ego-driven director played by Daniel Dafoe. "My comedy in the film... is less slapstick and more parody," he told the Glasgow Herald. "A very thin parody, though, because my character is pretty close to the real world. I've seen some things on film sets. What you see in Mr Bean's Holiday is nothing. As far as film-makers go, I like the crazy ones as opposed to the quiet ones."

Atkinson is known for comedy classics such as "Blackadder", "Not the Nine O'Clock News" and "Mr Bean", as well as films such as "Love, Actually" and "Scooby Doo". "Mr Bean's Holiday" is being released in the UK on March 30, followed by other European countries through April. US release is slated for August.

Rowan Atkinson on Amazon UK

Rowan Atkinson on Amazon US

And now: TV set called 'Cannes'

It must be flattering for the town. Korean electronics maestros Samsung recently launched a new high-definition PDP TV they are calling "Cannes". It uses their "Ultra DayLight" and "Natural True Colour" technologies to reportedly provide better colours and clearer images. Prices in Korea range from €1700 to over €7200 ($9500). But don't go running to Dixon's or MediaMarket. It's not yet available in Europe.

The Cannes greeting card

We just received a card from the Immosol property agency in Cannes with the image (right). Needless to say, it's a joke. But while we're getting all seasonal, you might want to know that until January 7, Cannes is hosting a Christmas village on the Espace Pantiero with special events on December 24 and 31 - including a firework show. For something a bit warmer, there is a showing of "Carmen" in the Palais on December 31.

Everyone else is slowly getting things together for Midem, January 21-25. We'll be posting news of the conference and concert line-ups over the coming days.