ANTIBES – Robert De Niro was the guest of honor at the 28th annual amfAR gala program in Cannes, where one lucky guest won an auction to dine with the actor and dine with a piece of his family history.
One of the most anticipated events of the Cannes Film Festival, more than 800 guests attended on Thursday an exclusive dinner, auction and after party at the Hôtel du Cap, Eden Roc in Antibes, where guests were entertained by performances by Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin and Charlie XCX.
The night began with a shiny red carpet. The director was accompanied by Tom Hanks, who is starring in the new film Base Luhrmann’s “Elvis”. Among the guests were also Cara Delevin, Casey Affleck, Cynthia Eriva, Diplo, Edgar Ramirez, Eva Longoria, Mila Jovovich, Vanessa Hudgens, Elsa Hosk, Giurdan Dunn and Winnie Harlow.
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Ricky Martin opened the conversation with a lively potpourri of his hits, and when guests were seasoned for dinner, bidding began for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the auction.
De Niro began bidding during lunch with him, and by the time it ended, 500,000 euros ($ 537,025) had been raised to support amfAR’s AIDS research efforts. Lunch will be at one of De Niro’s New York restaurants, and the lot includes a painting by his father, Robert De Niro Sr., a famous abstract artist.
Another guest paid 1.2 million euros ($ 1,288,860) for an exclusive evening with tenor Andrea Bacelli and his family, only to have another guest compare it to 1.2 million euros, and the family offered a second evening. The funeral was introduced with an unexpected performance by Andrea’s son Matteo Bacelli. Successful participants will host a dinner for 12 people at one of their homes in North Miami Beach or at his mansion in Forte dei Marmi on the Tuscan coast, where they will receive a private musical performance.
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The night also included an annual fashion show of designers curated by Karin Reutfeld. After the models walked the catwalk across the tables, the entire collection of 40 outfits was sold at auction for 800,000 euros ($ 859,240).
Other lots included gemstones with diamonds, an exclusive luxury getaway and original artwork, including a sculpture by Jeff Koons that will be permanently installed on the moon combined with a unique NFT for 2.1 million euros ($ 2,255,518).
Aguilera was the last artist to take the stage at the end of the dinner, releasing her hits, including “Dirrty” and “Beautiful” in a black fur cape, as guests danced between tables.
The AmfAR Gala Cannes has raised $ 245 million for amfAR’s AIDS research rescue programs.
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