Cannes 2007 may have hot new faces, but no one knows glam like Liz
By Jeffrey Jolson
CANNES, FR (Hollywood Today) 5/1/07 — Elizabeth Taylor is pulling out all the stops for the AmfAR party on May 23 during the 60th Anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival. The event, which has become a revered Cannes tradition with her involvement, will be held at one of the world’s great restaurants Moulin de Mougins and attended by celebrated folks from Sharon Stone, Kenneth Cole, Sophie Marceau, and many more.
The AmfAR event has in the past featured impromptu performances by stars such as Sir Elton John, Robin Williams, Natalie Cole, Liza Minnelli, Sheryl Crow, Ringo Starr, Lionel Richie, Macy Gray, Shirley Bassey, and Milla Jovovich.
It’s also become a major fundraising hub for all of amfARs activities, with last year’s live auction raising $2 million, bringing the event’s fundraising total to $4 million. Sharon Stone and Harvey Weinstein will again be at the gavel this year.
All told, amfAR’s annual Cinema Against AIDS gala generated more than $22 million for essential AIDS research. Past events have been hosted by Taylor, Stone, Demi Moore, and Sir Elton John. amfAR goes beyond that, since 1985, it jas invested $260 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.
This year’s live auction will include a special performance by M·A·C AIDS Fund and VIVA Glam spokesperson Dita Von Teese. Cannes is one stop on her world “Lipteese” tour where she has been raising awareness of the importance of safe sex and HIV prevention via a sexy burlesque performance. The event’s environment will be art directed by French Vogue editor-in-chief, Carine Roitfeld and will include immense mural-sized photographs by Mario Testino.
Serving with Taylor as co-chair is and Dr. Mathilde Krim, founding chairman, and sponsors include Michel Litvak’s Bold Films, the M•A•C AIDS Fund, The Weinstein Company, Chopard, Hewlett-Packard, Nassiri Music, and Warner Home Video.