Who Needs Glitz at Mipcom When You’ve Got Poirot?

As someone who has only attended Cannes for the film festival and now standing amidst the tranquil bustle of Mipcom, I find myself marveling at the stark contrast between the two events. The red carpet, once a battleground of star-gazers and paparazzi, has transformed into a quiet stroll, reminding me more of a Sunday afternoon in the park than the glamorous spectacle I’m accustomed to.

Upon my arrival in Cannes for my inaugural Mipcom event, I found myself momentarily puzzled and asking, “Where’s the famous red carpet?

Over the past ten years, I’ve come to associate the region surrounding the Palais steps as a revered and untouchable territory, one of the holiest sites in cinema, rigorously guarded with constant vigilance by the sharp-eyed observers like star-spotters, photographers, and journalists.

As I eagerly await the glamorous event unfolding on the red carpet, a whirlwind of anticipation swirls within me. Will the celebrities don fashionable attire or surprise us with an unexpected choice? Will their expressions light up the night with laughter or radiate warmth through a smile? Who among them might cross paths with an old Hollywood rival or ex-love?

In mid-October, this trade show for television is the largest in the world, but it’s a far cry from the grandeur you might expect. There isn’t any red carpet that would command attention. Instead, it’s more likely that you’d walk over it unaware. No photographers, no journalists, and certainly no fans perched on ladders. It’s also significantly shorter than the film festival. The prestigious, potentially career-making stairs leading to the Palais doors are now just a few steps.

Indeed,” said my friend in marketing, an old hand at Mipcom and film festivals, over cocktails. “It’s quite compact compared to what you’re accustomed to. It’s hard to even spot the similarities. However, it does have a more relaxed vibe!

At first glance, you might notice the glamour and a decrease in usual chaos, but soon you understand why. Mipcom is undeniably a trade show, with executives from studios, streamers, and broadcasters being the main attractions. In terms of influence within the TV industry, Mipcom is essentially the Cannes of such events, often surpassing its big-screen counterpart in this regard.

At the film festival’s market section, there seems to be a lack of vitality and nourishment, particularly in the Palais halls where worn-out booths peddle dubious films with uncertain prospects. However, at Mipcom, it’s vibrant, colorful, bustling, and appears quite costly. As a sales executive mentioned, “unlike the film festival, most of the shows presented here have already been produced.

Despite Mipcom’s A-list roster being on the smaller side, I had the chance to witness an extraordinary scene that is typically reserved for the newest franchise sensations. As a supporter, I was told that long lines of enthusiasts were eagerly waiting to interact and snap photos with the legendary Hercule Poirot himself, Sir David Suchet. He graced us with his presence not only to promote ITV’s scripted series “The Au Pair,” but also Sphere Abacus’s unscripted series titled “Travels With Agatha Christie With David Suchet.” It was truly a remarkable experience to witness such reverence for this esteemed artist.

One source remarked, ‘I’ve genuinely never witnessed anything comparable.’ A woman even broke down in tears,” or simply, “According to an insider, the scene was unprecedented; a woman was moved to tears.

2024-10-23 19:48

Who Needs Glitz at Mipcom When You’ve Got Poirot?

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