Dozens of festival staff led by director Thierry Fremaux stood on
the red steps of the Palais des Festivals for a minute's silence.
The famed red carpet at the Cannes film festival fell silent Tuesday for victims of the pop concert suicide bombing in the British city of Manchester.
A
fireworks display due in the southern French resort Tuesday evening has
been cancelled after Monday night's stadium attack, which left 22 dead
and has been claimed by the Islamic State group.
Dozens
of festival staff led by director Thierry Fremaux stood on the red
steps of the Palais des Festivals for a minute's silence, joined by Oscar nominee Isabelle Huppert.
"The
Manchester victims were doing nothing that we don't do here -- being
together, enjoying the freedom to love and share their passions," Fremaux said.
Beachside restaurants near the festival also turned off their music as diners fell silent.
Festival organisers described the bombing as "yet
another attack on culture, youth and joyfulness, on our freedom
generosity and tolerance, all things that the festival and those who
make it possible -- the artists, professionals and spectators -- hold
dear."
Security is tight in Cannes, just 10 months after the jihadist truck attack in nearby Nice that killed 86 people.
Unprecedented
measures have been taken to protect the festival, with large concrete
barriers put up in a bid to prevent another vehicle assault and snipers
positioned on the roof above sensitive sites.
Cannes Mayor David Lisnard offered his "heartfelt thoughts" to the Manchester victims, saying on Twitter: "The
threat is at maximum. We will stay on maximum alert to prevent it and
protect everyone, residents and festival-goers, from the risk of an
attack."
Stars including Nicole Kidman, Will Smith, Colin Farrell and Selma Hayek joined directing giants such as Cannes jury chief Pedro Almodovar and Ken Loach earlier Tuesday for a "family photo" to mark the festival's 70th birthday -- many snapping their own selfies for posterity.
A host of celebrities -- the guest-list is top secret -- were due to attend an anniversary bash in the evening
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