Cannes Film Festival

May 20 to 24, 1965

John and Cynthia traveled to Cannes, France to attend its annual film festival. It was just the two of them: no companion Beatle, no manager, or no child. I don't know why they attended other than for Richard Lester's film The Knack (And How to Get It). Maybe Richard invited them? Whatever the case, John and Cynthia accepted to go. It was a good opportunity to have some alone time together, which was sadly far and few in between.

Richard Lester behind John. He directed A Hard Day's Night, Help!, and How I Won the War

Unfortunately not much is known other than the film premiere and a party John and Cynthia went to. A decade or so ago, Julian had a website dedicated to his Lennon family (unfortunately no longer exists) and there was a forum (also got deleted). I remember one thread dedicated to the Cannes trip where the poster shared that she saw a quick far away glimpse of John and Cynthia; she wrote that they were holding hands, Cynthia was much more beautiful in person that pictures doesn't do her justice. John must’ve thought so too as his eyes were kept on Cynthia, the poster saw the love between them. Before they traveled back to England, John gave an interview with Merv Griffin (who famously created Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!).

John and Cynthia with Michael Caine

John returned to Cannes Film Festival in 1971 with Yoko when two of their films were shown, Balloon and Fly. Julian has been a semi-recurring guest since the 1990s.