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
Crave freelancer John Scott Lewinski covers tech, cars, and entertainment out of Los Angeles. As a journalist, he's traveled from Daytona Beach to Cape Town, writing for more than 30 national magazines. He's also a very amateur boxer known for his surprising lack of speed and ability to absorb punishment. E-mail John.
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.
