1 post tagged Charles Finch

So far we’ve brought you stories from around the world – Itajai, New York, Geneva, Sanya – but what is probably the most spectacular yet is what occurred this past week in Cannes. This year is the 65^th year of the famed film festival, and the second year that IWC sponsored the Annual Filmmakers Dinner. In case you weren’t at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on Monday night, here’s a blog recap of the event:

Upon entering the party, the UK’s Daily Mail, and the US The Hollywood Reporter saw Cannes Festival Juror Ewan McGregor, who escorted his mother Carol to the event, and identified other IWC Friends of the Brand,  including actors Eric Dane, director and co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival Robert De Niro, and models Karolina Kurkova (who recently attended the opening of IWC’s NYC flagship) and Petra Nemcova, and director Brett Ratner. Meanwhile, Celebrity Gossip turned around and captured actors Ray Liotta, Gemma Arterton, Gerard Butler and Adrian Brody, among many more. 

Karolina Kurkova showcasing her IWC watch

Eric Dane wondering which is his favorite IWC timepiece

Actor Ewan McGregor and his mother Carol

When asked about IWC’s participation in this cinematic focused occasion, CEO Georges Kern responded: “For years now we have had a passion for film and film-making. We are happy to celebrate it here in Cannes with other like-minded individuals and friends of the IWC brand.” In fact, IWC timepieces are regularly featured in both film and television, giving the brand a natural link to the industry.

Some of the IWC timepieces on display at dinner

This year’s filmmaker honoree was Terry Gilliam, who received from Filmmaker Dinner founder and co-host Charles Finch an engraved IWC Portuguese Automatic watch. The New York Times went on to quote Finch on his relationship with Gilliam: “Terry and I have known each other for 25 years… He has a sense of vision and a kindness and a brilliance independence of spirit.”

While the dinner was an intimate affair, a few additional guests were invited afterwards to enjoy an exclusive concert by musical guest Aloe Blacc. Keeping the event small was important to Kern: We don’t want to compete with the festival… it’s just amongst friends.”

Musical guest Aloe Blacc performing for party guests 

Good friends, indeed - and even better hosts of what looks like a suitably sophisticated and stellar soiree to celebrate Cannes and the filmmakers that make it possible.