A moth-eaten Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck have mysteriously transported themselves from Disneyland to the centre of Cannes. They unceremoniously grab passers-by for the privilege of a photo with them, only afterwards to charge them through the nose. Donald had seen better days All the women's designer shops have their most headline grabbing evening frocks in the window for all those unprepared party-goers. But one of those making the most out of the festivities is Jacques Michel, the owner of joke shop Au Fou Rire. As well as supplying the balloons for many of the festivities, Monsieur Michel hires out tuxedos.
Dinner jackets are de rigeur for male guests at the evening screenings and subsequent bashes.
But many still seem to find themselves caught unawares. In his 15 years in business, Monsieur Michel has had the pleasure of dressing some of the world's biggest stars. He will proudly show you his photo of him with film director Roman Polanski. He will also tell you how many of these clients also buy his jokes. The most popular on the party scene, he says, are fake ink - and whoopie cushions.