Steve Wood, British photographer, had spent his life in the world of photography. As one of the chief photographers of the English national paper, The Daily Express, Wood spent time on the front lines of war, in fashion shows, and found a way to document the Royal family. He covered 20 editions of the Cannes Film Festival and accompanied Princess Diana to the 40^th edition in 1987. He describes the event as “the best organized mess”.

How long have you been covering the film festival?

I covered the festival for 15 years then I stopped for 30 years and came back for the last 5 years. I used to cover the festival with Robin Leach. I find it amazing how we used to walk into parties holding a glass of champagne and enjoying Cannes.

What is the main difference between the festival in your 15 first years of coverage and the last 5 years?

It is a big contrast of what it used to be like. I used to go and interview people like Peter Sellers, British actor, at the Cap-Eden-Roc hotel with his bride and it was wonderful. We get a big coverage during the festival. Every year we had a lovely big exclusive but here it changed a lot; it is becoming more commercial. I have to highlight that the photocall we cover outside is probably one of the best photocalls in the world. They made both stars and photographs, coming from all over the world, comfortable with the daylight organization. It is a very nicely organized event compared to some events which are quite rushy.

What is your favorite souvenir from your whole experience in the film festival?

The first 15 years were during the Golden Age of the festival. I came with Princess Diana in May 1987 and that was good. I covered her wherever she went in the world for years. No one is like her; it was like she was one of a kind like Marilynn Monroe and James Dean, American actors. It was lovely, Princess Diana was wearing white and she was enjoying her time. She thought it was fun and it was good because sometimes you cover things that she didn’t enjoy but, certainly, she enjoyed things in Cannes. There is also Princess Grace, princess of Monaco, who was a wonderful person to photograph here.

How would you describe the media coverage during the Cannes Film Festival?

It is bit of a mess but it is the best organized mess I know of any event. And this year, it is a nice edition where the weather is nice and sunny and last it was an English weather but this year it is a French weather.

Interview by Carmen Joukhadar