15 sights at Cannes you won't see at SXSW (photos)

The Cannes Film Festival and SXSW share some similarities. Both are media fests, draw large crowds, and feature film screenings. But just as a $5,000 pair of Berluti shoes aren't a pair of well-worn cowboy boots, the French Riviera isn't Texas.

John Lewinski

June 28, 2011 1:38 a.m. PT

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U-Boat Worx Personal Submarine

While Austin's SXSW Festival offers an everyman look at movies and tech, the Cannes Film Festival caters to a deep-pocket crowd.

Whether it's super cars, motorcycles, yachts, or ordinary items covered in gold and jewels, such big-ticket toys were on display along the streets of Cannes during the 12-day film festival that ended yesterday.

For example, the U-Boat Worx Personal Submarine sells for up to $1.5 million and allows recreational divers to go down as far as 100 meters.

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U-Boat Worx Personal Submarine from rear

The poorly named U-Boat does not have wheels for on-street driving. It must be lowered into the sea from shore or from a larger craft.

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U-Boat Worx Personal Submarine's cockpit

The U-Boat Worx Personal Submarine cockpit has some controls that resemble a car's. But the controls for depth and cockpit pressure require special training.

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2012 Mercedes Benz AMG SLK Gull Wing

The 2012 Mercedes Benz AMG SLS Gull Wing was stopping traffic outside the Carlton Cannes Intercontinental on its special red carpet display.

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2012 Mercedes Benz AMG SLK Gull Wing driver's seat

The view from the driver's seat spurs the imagination on what the AMG SLS's 6.3 liter V8 can do.

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2012 Mercedes Benz AMG SLK Gull Wing by night

The new Gull Wing fits perfectly on a red carpet below spotlights.

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2012 Ducati Diavel

The 2012 Ducati Diavel is a $20,000 super bike that packs an engine developed by the company's racing team.

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3.14 Hotel BMW Mini shuttle

A standard shuttle wouldn't suffice for a five-diamond hotel like the 3.14 in Cannes. Instead, a BMW Mini is transformed into a mobile work of art.

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Yachts of Cannes

Private yachts sail in and out of the French Riviera on any weekend, but the Cannes Film Festival stacks vessels worth tens of millions of dollars into its packed harbor.

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A harbor full of money

The owners of mega-yachts like this one parked off the coast of Cannes during the film festival often remain a mystery.

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Cannes Gucci

Hidden behind the door of the Cannes Gucci boutique sit gold- and diamond-encrusted cases for smartphones, iPads and anything else you might tote to the film festival.

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Cannes Cartier

You're not going to find a Cartier boutique across the street from the main film screenings at SXSW. You need Cannes attitude for that.

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Audi V10 R8 Spyder

Audi and Daily Variety teamed up to sponsor a party gathering spot in Cannes. This R8 Spyder greeted visitors.

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Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport

SXSW folks don't use specially sponsored Maseratis to transport staff and celebrities. They were standard issue at Cannes.

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The Amazing Spider-Man/Woody Woodpecker boat

Unavailable at any price, the very rare Amazing Spider-Man/Woody Woodpecker boat tempts would-be passengers from a merry-go-round along the Cannes coast.