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You gotta love a little glam. "Bring it, girl!" my friend told me, as I raced to Aruba.  And the festival team 'brought it' too. So many red carpets, it turned the little island of Aruba into a little slice of Cannes on the Caribbean. 

 Bruno Chatelin, a seasoned carpet walker at Cannes, showed his sophistication by casually commenting on opening night in his suave French accent "yes it is a very good red carpet, it is so comfortable to walk on...". The Aruba festival team, professionals through and through, obviously knew that for a red carpet gala, not just any red carpet will do. It must be svelte, smooth and spot lit to perfection. And the same, I knew, for my outfit - what to wear, what to wear?! It was not strictly black tie, but not just any little cocktail dress would do. Richard Gere was coming, after all. 

So, here is what I pulled out of my little carry-on (red) carpet bag:

You can always rely on a little black dress... 

Straight from the plane to the shower to the red carpet gala Opening, so fast my hair was still wet. Straight from the plane to the shower, to the red carpet, so fast my hair was still wet... but I got a lot of compliments on the dress and also, amongst the masses of press, got an unscheduled interview on the red carpet AND a long chat at the Gala opening night reception with the always congenial Mr Richard Gere -even though he was mobbed by people and PR minders who'd said he wouldn't be giving interviews!

Also got a chuckle from the Aruban PM as I walked into the Hyatt foyer and just caught the wind from blowing up my skirt like Marilyn Monroe... followed by flirty offers from his big bodyguard nicknamed ´Grande´ to personally introduce me to the PM and all his Ministers.  My editor, impressed that I managed to meet Richard Gere, made sure I always had a full glass of Moet in my hand, so all up I'd say the night was a success: Gere kindly recommended I show my film ´No News From Harare´ to his friend the Festival Director- (Thank you, Mr Gere!)

A splash of gold for the red carpet premiere of Cairo Time. A great opportunity to meet and interview the lovely Patricia Clarkson (Cairo Time star) about women in film and being directed by Woody Allen, and enjoy a long chat with Cairo Time producer Daniel Iron when we found ourselves on the same flight back to NY. Daniel made the most of the time to read a few of the book chapters I've been writing, and I'm happy to report he gave them a good review!

It was the premiere of 'A NY Thing´ but this is one beautiful label that was never shown on Sex And The City - ´Tribal´, an Italian designer from Isla Mujeres, Mexico, a perfect fit I thought for the red carpet theme 'Island Chic'. I now have a new respect for those stars on the long walk down the red carpet - under the hot spotlights, in tropical temperatures, you're steaming in 5 minutes flat, and its impossible to keep it from showing on your face and clothes.  

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Saturday night at the Cannes of the Caribbean; arriving at the Gala in a sparkling gold Maserati was a definite thrill of the fest. Stepping out of a sportscar straight onto the red carpet is always a great way to make an entrance. The only thing harder than avoiding pics from the paparazzi is actually getting promised pics from them, so unfortunately no photos yet of that beautiful car... though for me that night will always be better than I ever could have pictured!

Will post more pics, of meeting the dear Mr Gere, as soon as poss - fest photographers, please send them on!!  Thank you Aruba!!