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Day: 5 April 2022

Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks set to appear at Cannes

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/04/2022

Hollywood heartthrob Tom Cruise will walk the red carpet at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for the screening of Top Gun: Maverick and a special tribute to his career, while acting legend Tom Hanks will also make an appearance.

Festival organisers have announced that Tom Cruise will be present for the world premier of his new film Top Gun: Maverick on 18th May, ahead of its public release in France on 25th May, and the US on 27th May. The film, a long-awaited sequel to the cult film in 1986, will be screened out of competition.

Despite a slew of blockbusters, Tom Cruise has only ever made one appearance at the Cannes Film Festival – in 1992 for Ron Howard’s Far and Away, the closing film of the 45th Festival. That evening, he awarded the Palme d’Or to Director Billie August for his film The Best Intentions.

Exactly 30 years later, the Cannes Film Festival will pay him an exceptional tribute for his lifetime achievements. Tom Cruise will have an on-stage conversation with journalist Didier Allouch in the afternoon and will walk the red carpet of the Palais des Festivals for the evening screening of Top Gun: Maverick, directed by Joseph Kosinski.

The Paramount Pictures film was originally scheduled for release on 12th July 2019 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and scheduling conflicts.

See the trailer for Top Gun: Maverick below…

 

Meanwhile, Australian Director, Screenwriter and Producer Baz Luhrmann will attend the Cannes Film Festival to present the world premier of his latest feature film Elvis, along with Austin Butler, Tom Hanks and Olivia DeJonge.

The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, played by Austin Butler, seen through the prism of his complicated 20-year relationship with his manager Colonel Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks. Olivia DeJonge plays one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’ life, Priscilla Presley.

Baz Luhrmann appeared at Cannes in 2001 for the opening with Moulin Rouge and the competition nominee The Great Gatsby, as well as in 1992 for his first film Strictly Ballroom.

See the trailer for Elvis below….

 

The Cannes Film Festival returns to its normal format this year after being postponed to July 2021 and cancelled altogether in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will take place from 17th to 28th May, ending on the same weekend as the Monaco Grand Prix.

 

 

 

Photo taken from the film Top Gun: Maverick

 

 

 

Rumours of a mass clear-out at AS Monaco dissipate

by: Luke Entwistle
05/04/2022

Philippe Clement’s response to the startling rumours posted in L’Equipe on the eve of the PSG fixture has been two-fold: discourse and action have quashed notions of an impending doom.

Clement’s rejection of the claims at Friday’s press conference in La Turbie put to rest the underlying uncertainty that had surrounded the club throughout the international break. Ironically, since the story surfaced, there has been a notable mood shift, despondency has turned into hope as AS Monaco’s stuttering season is re-ignited.

What was said?

The night before Monaco’s clash against PSG, L’Equipe released an article stating that the owner Dmitry Rybolovlev was set to “clean the house” by sacking not only Clement as manager, but also Paul Mitchell (Sporting Director) and Oleg Petrov (Vice-President).

The article went on to state that the timing was not “fixed”, but that the decision had already been taken. An “angry” Rybolovev was seemingly set to wield the axe and reconstruct the entirety of the club’s hierarchy in one swift blow.

In the aftermath, it argued that Vice-President and husband of Ekaterina Rybolovleva, Juan Sartori, would play a larger role in the running of the club. All of this was in reaction to a month in which Monaco’s season had completely derailed. Out of the Coupe de France and then the Europa League at the hands of what was perceived to be an inferior Braga side, expectations were being lowered on an almost daily basis.

The next day, a Monaco side in complete turmoil came up against PSG. Yet the crisis off the pitch had little to no bearing on what transpired on it. A 3-0 victory dampened the bombastic remarks made in L’Equipe the night before, although a cloud of uncertainty still lingered.

“I am focused on my job”

The incremental dispersal of that cloud continued on Friday when Clement spoke for the first time about those rumours. “I was surprised,” the Belgian coach, who had not long since assumed his role, began. “With the staff and the players, we concentrated on the match, that was clear. I came here in January with a two-and-a-half-year contract, into an ambitious project to technically, physically, tactically and mentally improve and develop young players.”

Most importantly, he said, “I am concentrating on my mission, and I have received absolutely no sign from anyone at the club regarding what was written. I am focused on my work, as we all showed against PSG.”

It is not just his discourse that has dampened those rumours, but the club’s on-field actions, which allude to a late push towards the European places, perhaps even towards the Champions League. Although the current occupier of that podium spot, Rennes, are still six points away, a momentum provided by back-to-back wins for the first time under Clement in Ligue 1, and a squad that is gradually re-finding its feet in terms of fitness and form, provides a glimmer of hope.

Mood and momentum are now on Monaco’s side, but that’s not to say that their run-in is easy, anything but. Difficult matches against relegation strugglers are interspersed with battles against competitors for the European places. Different challenges require different approaches, and there is no more room for missed steps in the coming weeks.

The last two matches have, however, given purpose to the remainder of the season, as ambitious targets of European football can once again return to the forefront, whilst talk of mass upheaval dissipates.

 

 

Photo left to right: Paul Mitchell, Phillipe Clement and Oleg Petrov at a press conference earlier this year, by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

Tourism sector reports good 2021 recovery

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/04/2022

The latest report from Monaco’s tourism and congress industry shows that there was some strong recovery in 2021, but figures are still far behind 2019 levels. Meanwhile, focus is now shifting to rebuilding the Principality’s business tourism sector.

The Tourism and Congress Department presented the 2021 results and 2022 strategy in front of an audience of professionals and tourism operators in Monaco this week. Symbolically, the meeting took place at the Oceanographic Museum, the most visited site in Monaco but also a leading example of responsible tourism.

According to Guy Antognelli, Director of Tourism and Conventions (DTC), figures show that tourism in 2021 was better than 2020 thanks to the increased presence of visitors from France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as from the Middle-East.

Despite the low number of British, Russian and American customers, who were prevented from traveling due to health constraints, the Principality’s hotels recorded an occupancy rate of 39% compared to 27% in 2020, still far from the 64% of 2019.

Meanwhile, the average price per room rose to €402, an increase of 25% compared to 2020.

For the year 2022, DTC Deputy Director Sandrine Camia presented a support strategy for those in Monaco’s tourism industry who have managed to “redouble their efforts and adapt to the periods of crisis”. Camia explained that the strategy is based on a new marketing ecosystem, the Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO), which “structures the tourist offer in the Principality, reinforces the notoriety of the destination, and develops the consideration of visitors”.

Despite a significant reduction in global air travel, 17 weekly direct flights are now available between Nice and New York, so the DTC is undertaking another major promotional operation with the United States to “seduce and bet on the American clientele”.

The DTC showcased the promotional campaign for the US under the ‘For You’ banner, #REEVENT, this time targeting the business tourism sector whose level of activity, despite the return of events in the Principality, significantly lags behind previous years.

A new platform was presented as part of the Visit Monaco website. ‘Monaco Travel Trade’ is dedicated to commercial partners and presents the latest initiatives in Monaco, resources, events and personalised tools to promote the Principality: https://traveltrade.visitmonaco.com/.

Special mention was also given to Monaco’s responsible tourism initiatives, an area in which the Principality aims to excel.

 

 

Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

Kinder withdraws chocolates due to salmonella risk

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/04/2022

Some Kinder chocolate eggs have been recalled over links to Salmonella. The eggs have been produced in the company’s Belgium plant and distributed throughout Europe, with up to 15 salmonella cases already identified in France and 64 in the UK.

Just two weeks before Easter, hundreds of tonnes of Kinder chocolates have been recalled by Ferrero, the group announced on Monday.

The chocolates have a “potential” link to cases of salmonella, said the Italian company, and it has decided to organise the product recall “voluntarily”.

According to the General Directorate of Health, at least 15 suspicious salmonella cases have been identified in France in people who have consumed the Kinder products that are being withdrawn. Eight of these patients, with an average age of four years, were hospitalised briefly.

No deaths have been reported in the UK so far, but most of the 63 salmonella cases are among children aged five and under.

More cases have reportedly been recorded in Europe, including Ireland, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

“We know that these particular products are popular with young children, especially as Easter approaches, so we would urge parents and guardians of children to check if any products already in their home are affected by this recall,” said Tina Potter, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency.

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever, and typically resolve themselves in a few days.

However, there may be more severe symptoms in young children and those with weakened immune systems.

The list of recalled products are:

Kinder Surprise 20g and 100g with expiry dates between the end of June 2022 and the end of October 2022

Kinder Schoko-Bons with expiry dates between the end of April and the end of August 2022

Kinder Mini Eggs with expiry dates between the end of April and the end of August 2022

Kinder Happy Moments, Kinder Mix: 193g, Basket 150g, Plush 133g, Bucket 198g, with expiry dates at the end of August 2022

 

 

 

All systems “MuneGo”

by: Luke Entwistle
05/04/2022

AS Monaco has launched its car-pooling service, allowing fans to share their passion for the club at away matches whilst facilitating access for those wanting to travel to the Principality.

In a press release issued by the club in March, it announced the launching of its car-sharing platform ‘MuneGo’ created with ‘StadiumGO. The platform can be accessed both on the app, or on their website (https://munego-covoiturage.asmonaco.com/), and is currently available to use.

Fans can both search for, or propose a journey. It will allow fans to travel from the Principality, or in fact any town/city in France for away matches, whilst also making it easy for fans to travel to the Stade Louis II.

As well as being an eco-friendly, more cost-effective way of travelling to football matches, it also allows supporters of the club to live up to their motto “Everywhere, always”. Monaco are one of the most followed sides on the road in Ligue 1, and 200 filled the away stand at Metz over the weekend in spite of its location far from the Principality and freezing temperatures.

The use of the platform becomes even more economical when taking into account the savings that can be made on parking at the Stade Louis II. All car-sharing supporters will be offered a free parking space at the stadium’s on-site car park.

Fans will have ample opportunity to benefit from the platform from now until the end of the season, with a packed run-in for the club. Fans can propose or search for car-sharing opportunities for Sunday’s match at home to Troyes, whilst there is also the chance for a long drive up to watch the Red and White’s up in Brittany when they face Rennes just days later.