Professionalism? Respectability? …Anyone?

The big leagues need a fresh breath blown through them. How is it appropriate to go to a professional event – like Cannes, for example – and get shitfaced when you’re supposed to be promoting your work, your skill and your responsibility when it comes to your trade. Shitfaced and responsibility don’t really correspond in my mind. Don’t get me wrong, there’s definitely a place for partying and letting go, even at Cannes, but when that’s the only message you send across, it’s time to reevaluate your attitude.

FILM GUY #1: Finally, after all our hard work, we have an actual, completed film that tomorrow morning we’ll be showing at Cannes. Cannes, baby!
FILM GUY #2: We made it, old friend. Cheers!
FILM GUY #1: My life’s dream has been to see my very own film on the big screen, and tomorr- *TSSSS* AHHH! MY EYES! MY EYES! WHAT’S HAPPENING?
FILM GUY #2: Paris Hilton is spread eagle doing shots on a table! Get down!
FILM GUY #1: I can’t see! I’m blind! I’m blind! NOOOOOOO!

Film Guy #1 never regained his sight. While in the hospital, Film Guy #2 revealed he was really a gay astronaut who sold babies on the black market to finance their film. Because this is a story about Cannes and those movies always have really fucked up, depressing endings.

Fin.

Cannes exists as a showcase, a professional atmosphere to show your work, be proud, meet people and get recognition for hard work done to achieve what’s often a very deep dream of the creator(s). To me, it’s not only irresponsible to yourself, but it tarnishes the reputation of the event itself when you go as a guest and get drunk, party loud and hard, play out the typical party-monster-from-Hollywood role. I don’t care if “that’s Paris Hilton’s personality” or “that’s all she’s known for, what else would you expect?” It’s not appropriate in the public eye at a professional event like Cannes; it hurts the festival, it affects the other guests and it affects the outside audience who reads about it afterward.

I suppose, in the end, it’s really a matter of being self-aware, and aware of the context you’re in at any given time, and then knowing the boundaries of said context. Maye that’s asking a lot, but I think it’s required, especially of people with public images like Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt who’re constantly scrutinized, analyzed and spun by the media.

via The Superficial.