A Cannes Film Festival screening of Redoubtable has been briefly evacuated over security concerns.
A 7.30pm press screening on Saturday was held up and festival-goers were prevented from going into the theatre or asked to leave the Palais, Cannes' main moviegoing hub.
French guards were not forthcoming about the reasons for the evacuation, but there are reports that it took place because a bag was left in the Debussy theatre, according to people present. The French drama is directed by Oscar-winner Michel Hazanavicius and examines Jean-Luc Godard's marriage.
A huge crowd was already assembled at the gate of the Salles Debussy before 7pm. They didn't let anyone in, offering no explanation, and then they asked attendees to move back across the road.
Cannes security personnel ordered festival attendees to evacuate the Palais minutes before the press screening was scheduled to begin.
Although no explanation has yet been given, Palais guards turned away press and industry who were mounting the steps to the Debussy theatre.
Meanwhile, indoors, badge-holders were ushered down to the basement level, where they waited in perplexed confusion for several minutes, before guards ordered everyone to exit the building.
Squads of police were seen going inside the building with dogs. After about 15 minutes, security asked people to come up to the gate, and began letting people back inside.
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