Cannes' red carpet falls silent

CANNES, France: The famed red carpet at the Cannes film festival fell silent yesterday for victims of the pop concert suicide bombing in the British city of Manchester.

A fireworks display due in the southern French resort yesterday evening has been cancelled after the Monday night attack 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 Nice that killed 86 people. Cannes Mayor David Lisnard offered his ‘ heartfelt thoughts' to the Manchester victims while Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said concerts and other events planned in Paris in the coming days will go ahead.