Cannes Film Festival tightens security

Security at this year's Cannes Film Festival has reportedly been tightened.

11:43 09 May 2004

Security at this year's Cannes Film Festival has reportedly been tightened.

Security has been strengthened due to increased fears that the international festival could become the target of attacks by terrorists or protesting French arts workers.

Striking arts workers held up trucks ferrying films to the festival this week after they blockaded a warehouse.

The road blocks, part of a protest against changes to unemployment benefits, have now been lifted and the movies are on their way to the French Riviera.

Editing of the films, to be screened at the festival between May 12-23 festival, must be completed before the festival starts on Wednesday.

The protesting arts workers have threatened to protest at the festival and the recent train attacks in Madrid have caused organisers to increase festival security.

More than 1,000 police officers - including bomb squads and dog handlers - will reportedly be deployed, in the most security conscious Cannes festival ever.

Police commissioner Andre Trouve told the BBC: "We are as mobilised as for last year, even more so, because the international situation remains complicated and some protests also look likely."

Hollywood stars such as Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz and Quentin Tarantino are expected to attend the film festival.

A total of 18 films, including Shrek 2, The Ladykillers by the Coen brothers and Fahrenheit 911by controversial US documentary-maker Michael Moore, are competing for the coveted Palme d'Or award.