Last night, a prestigious party at the Cannes Film Festival turned terrifying when an apparent partial floor collapse forced the evacuation of around 250 guests from La Terrasse by Albane, an exclusive rooftop restaurant overlooking the Croisette. The incident occurred during a Variety magazine 'Welcome to Cannes' party honoring festival director Thierry Fremaux.
Panic and Evacuation
Guests reported a loud bang followed by rumbling and movement underfoot. One attendee described the scene as terrifying, with some screaming. American guests initially feared a terrorist attack, given the heightened security at the festival, which includes armed police and airport-style scanners.
The temporary wooden dais, believed to be overloaded due to overcrowding, was the apparent cause. Organizers had earlier warned attendees that entry was first-come, first-served and not guaranteed after capacity was reached.
Celebrity Presence
Notable attendees included actresses Diane Kruger and Jordana Brewster, director Renny Harlin, Sony Pictures Classics executives Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, and Oscars President Lynette Howell Taylor. After the evacuation, guests were moved to another part of the terrace, and the party continued.
Venue Background
La Terrasse by Albane, located on the rooftop of the JW Marriott hotel, is a temporary restaurant run by event organizer Albane Cleret and three-Michelin-starred chef Maura Colagreco. It opened with a party for Johnny Depp's comeback film 'Jeanne du Barry' and has become a key event space during the festival, hosting press junkets by day and film events by night.
The 2023 Cannes Film Festival runs from May 12 to 23.
