Words by Rebecca Whitlocke | Editing by Alice Yeong

Superyachts China was honoured to be invited back to high-profile events in May on the glittering Côte d’Azur where our business partners and industry contacts were sponsoring a number of VIP events and brand launches.

Here’s our review of the most glamorous month to be seen on the beautiful French Riviera, one of the world’s most popular yachting destinations.

Cannes Film Festival 2018

The 71st Cannes Film Festival was hosted from to May 8 to May 19 in the fashionable coastal resort of Cannes.

Yachts at Cannes Film Festival 2018

Some of the world’s biggest superyachts were present in the bay of Cannes and moored at Vieux Port, adjacent to the Palais des Festivals and red carpet focal point for the world’s media.  Over a period of two weeks, these are some of the yachts we spotted at Cannes Film Festival – M/Y Jubilee, S/Y ‘A’, M/Y Cyclone built by Tansu, M/Y Eclipse, M/Y Madame Gu, M/Y Faith, M/Y Kibo, M/Y Ulysses, M/Y Saint Nicholas and M/Y Chopi Chopi.

Superyachts China at the Cannes Film Festival 2018

We were excited to be invited to exclusive gourmet dining, film and fashion premieres and charity parties with star-studded guest lists such as the screening of Waterschool co-hosted by Swarovski and The Hollywood Reporter, Les Entractes Nespresso at Plage Nespresso, Mouton Cadet Wine Bar, Fashion for Relief at the Aéroport Cannes-Mandelieu raising funds for non-profit causes, Solo: A Star Wars Story premiere, Seven Continents of Fashion at the prestigious Carlton Beach, amfAR Cannes gala at the beautiful Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Planet Fashion yacht party and China Discovery Night at the plage Majestic.

Superyachts China were kindly welcomed to the Chinese Pavillon at Le Village International with China Film Foundation, Wu Tianming Film Fund and Movie View as well as the historic InterContinental Carlton Cannes – one of the top palace hotels on the Croisette with a suite named after actress Fan Bingbing – who have IHG China Ready accreditation and a Mandarin interpreter available around-the-clock.

Notably, feedback was positive from private clients about official festival partner Chopard and their annual Red Carpet and Green Carpet collections as well as their mission to craft 100 percent of its gold jewellery from ethically mined sources from July.

Chinese representation at the world’s most talked about film festival included actors, actresses and top production companies.  China is fast catching up with the U.S as a leading distribution outlet and source of revenue, and there was marked interest in Chinese cinema and production channels.  Ones to watch during Cannes Film Festival 2018 were:

• Jia Zhangke’s Cannes screening for crime drama Ash is Purest White, which was filmed in Datong, Shanxi province, and the Three Gorges Dam area and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.  Zhao Tao, Liao Fan, Ma Sichun and Fan Bingbing appeared on the red carpet.

• The talks around Donald Tang (Tang Media Partners) and the merger of IM Global and distributor Open Road.  Tang has given Rob Friedman, CEO of Global Road Entertainment, the welcomed budget of $1 billion for film production over the next three years; watch that space for U.S-China movie releases.
• Roland Emmerich’s World War Two drama Midway financed by Hong-Kong based Starlight Entertainment Group and Providence Entertainment with support from Bona Film Group who have the distribution rights for China.
• Ming Zhang’s The Pluto Moment
• Bi Gan’s Long Day’s Journey into Night selected for Un Certain Regard
• Director Wang Bing’s lengthy documentary Dead Souls

The eventual winner of the coveted Palme d’Or award at Cannes Film Festival this year was Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Shoplifters.

Amber Lounge Monaco Grand Prix 2018

The official launch of Amber Lounge Monaco 2018 kicked off with U*NITE, a spectacular night of fashion, music and motorsport on Friday May 25, with an energetic performance by Grammy-nominated singer songwriter Justin Jesso, who’s latest hit ‘Stargazing’ with music producer Kygo has already reached 550 million streams on radio and gone multi-platinum around the world; and Bakermat, a Dutch DJ and music producer.

Held in the privileged company of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Amber Lounge was ready to celebrate their Crystal Anniversary in style, a fitting crown for 15 years of cutting-edge entertainment at the Formula 1™ Monaco Grand Prix.

Amber Lounge is the only event in the world to feature F1 drivers on the catwalk, continuing their glowing reputation with a stunning fashion show highlighting a special collection from headlining designer Alessandra Vicedomini, followed by Formula 1™ drivers from Force India, Sauber, Williams and Toro Rosso wearing Crisoni.

Drivers making an appearance in the fashion show included  Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso), Esteban Ocon (Force India), Marcus Ericsson (Sauber), Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso), Sergey Sirotkin (Williams) and local driver Charles Leclerc (Sauber).

Superyachts China representative, Christian d’Eimar de Jabrun was impressed by the high-octane auction at the luxury Le Méridien Beach Plaza situated at the edge of the Larvotto district; exclusive auction lots included an annual membership for JetSmarter, unique artworks, limited edition motor racing memorabilia and luxury travel experiences.

Fittingly, the sensational sea views matched the generosity from bidders who raised vital funds benefitting ‘Race Against Dementia’.  Race Against Dementia is an international charity working tirelessly to fund breakthrough dementia research, launched by famed Formula 1™ driver Sir Jackie Stewart.

U*NITE guests were also treated to a bespoke mixology experience, gifting and special treats, by CDMX Mexico City, chosen Luxury Destination Partner for the second consecutive year.

Amber Lounge : The ultimate Formula 1™ lifestyle experience

Amber Lounge is the ultimate VIP lifestyle experience at Formula 1™’s most exhilarating Grand Prix destinations. In Monaco, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, Amber Lounge is where guests celebrate the race weekend with F1 drivers, celebrities, royalty, sports and movie stars: an unequalled experience in an exclusive setting. Nothing else comes close.

Amber Lounge was founded by Sonia Irvine, sister of former F1 driver Eddie Irvine, in 2003. Sonia is regarded as a pioneer of F1 nightlife experiences and continues to create the most sought-after events on the F1 calendar.

The Amber Lounge experience comprises Formula 1™ race viewing hospitality options as well as post-race after parties, dining, charity and fashion.

The celebrity guests in attendance at Amber Lounge Monaco 2018 included Princess Alexandra of Hanover, Sir Jackie Stewart with sons Paul and Mark and grandsons Dylan and Zac, ‘Games of Thrones’ actors Liam Cunningham, Kit Harington and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau,  Eddie Irvine, Victoria Silvstedt, Zara Phillips and her husband, former English rugby star Mike Tindall.

Amber Lounge Monaco 2018 Sponsors and Partners included CDMX Mexico City (Official Destination Partner), JetSmarter (Official Private Aviation Partner), Rebellion Timepieces (Official Timing Partner), Blue Coast Beer, Gin Mare (Official Gin), Veuve Clicquot, Smoking Hot and Zeelander Yachts.

Amber Lounge will be winging their way to Asia for the Singapore Grand Prix scheduled for September 15 and 16.  We look forward to welcoming them to the heart of motor racing action in Asia!

Official websites: http://raceagainstdementia.com and http://amber-lounge.com/

• Photos:  CANNES FILM FESTIVAL – Tom van Oossanen for SY Times / R.Whitlocke  / eonline / CGTN | MONACO GRAND PRIX – Amber Lounge, Pat Denton from Photo Lumière