An errant bag left near the Debussy Theatre at the Cannes Film Festival caused a security scare Saturday resulting in an evacuation shortly before a 7:30 p.m. press screening of Michel Hazanavicius’s “Redoubtable.” The screening was delayed for roughly 20 minutes before the threat was cleared and press were invited back in.
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While press were lined up waiting to enter, the staff of the theater were evacuated and security officials told members of the press to clear out. Cannes Press Attache Christine Aime told the crowd that an unidentified bag was being investigated. Some members of the press were convinced the screening was canceled and left.
All the people in the Debussy theatre came running out as security checked the errant bag inside. pic.twitter.com/tgnEVf9elY
— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) May 20, 2017
Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux was on hand at the Debussy to assist in getting information out to members of the press.
Security has been especially tight at Cannes this year. Even festival regulars used to heightened security have described the situation as much more intense than prior years.
“Redoubtable” marks the third Cannes title in a row for Hazanavicius after his 2011 Best Picture winner “The Artist” and 2014’s “The Search,” which screened in official competition. The 2017 Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 17 and runs through May 28.
Additional reporting by Anne Thompson.
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