Cannes-tastrophe Averted! Arson Suspected in Near Blackout at Film Festival

Mischief Managed (Just Barely!)

Honestly you wouldn't believe the chaos! As if juggling NEWTs Quidditch practice and Ron's… well Ron ness wasn't enough now I'm reporting on potential arson threatening the Cannes Film Festival! Apparently some blighter thought it would be a laugh to target an electrical substation near Cannes weakening the grid. Honestly some people have no sense of priorities! The Palme d'Or ceremony was almost plunged into darkness – can you imagine? 'Honestly what is life without a few dragons to battle?' I always say but a film festival without power? That's simply barbaric!

160,000 Homes Without Light? Sounds Like a Job for Lumos!

A staggering 160,000 households in the Alpes Maritimes area were left without electricity. Can you imagine the inconvenience? No telly no lights no way to properly brew a cup of tea. It's almost as bad as being stuck in a cupboard under the stairs if you ask me! Laurent Hottiaux the prefect for the area is understandably furious calling it 'serious acts of damage to electrical infrastructures.' He’s vowed to catch the culprits and I must say I heartily approve. Perhaps a little Veritaserum is in order? Although that might be frowned upon in Muggle courts…

Palais Saved! Independent Power to the Rescue

Thankfully the quick thinking organizers of the Cannes Film Festival managed to switch the Palais des Festivals to an independent power supply. Good for them! Imagine the outcry had there been no independent power source they might as well not be bothered. All scheduled events including the all important Closing Ceremony proceeded as planned. I must say it's a relief. I hear they were about to start sacrificing film reels to appease the electric gods. Now I am one of the people that believe that one must always be properly fed but to do that is going a little too far!

Traffic Jams and Cash Only Kiosks: The Horror!

Beyond the festival itself the power outage caused absolute mayhem. Traffic lights went kaput resulting in traffic jams that would make even Madam Pomfrey reach for a calming draught. Shops along the Croisette were mostly closed and those that were open were only accepting cash. Honestly it was like stepping back into the Stone Age! One is lucky that no one resorted to setting cars on fire to keep warm!

The Palme d'Or Still Shines Bright!

Despite the near disaster the Palme d'Or was still awarded Saturday night. Several very interesting movies were up for the award so it is good that the mishap did not halt the presentation of the coveted prize. As Albus Dumbledore famously said 'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.' Or in this case switch to an independent power supply!

Could This Be the Work of You Know Who?

One can't help but wonder if this whole affair has a more sinister explanation. Could this be the work of He Who Must Not Be Named? Or perhaps a rogue house elf with a vendetta against cinema? Okay maybe I'm letting my imagination run wild. Still it's a good reminder that we must always be vigilant even in the seemingly mundane world of film festivals. After all constant vigilance! Maybe I'll have to brush up on my Arresto Momentum charm just in case.