Cannes Diary: On The Road to karaoke!

Some say Cannes gets quieter in the second week but with Brad Pitt and Kristen Stewart in town, the mood is far from sleepy. Brad is here to promote Killing Them Softly, an entertaining crime drama about inept criminals and the mobsters drafted in to wipe them out. Brad plays a particularly ruthless version of the latter with wry charm - always fun to see him in bad guy mode.

Kristen, meanwhile, is here for On the Road, Walter Salles' road trip drama based on the Jack Kerouac book. It's a mostly fun ride with a stand out performance from Garrett Hedlund (that boy is going far) although it outstays its welcome - there were quite a few walk outs in this morning's screening. Guess two and a bit hours of weed smoking and threesomes isn't everyone's bag.

Cannes, of course, really comes alive at night: after walking the red carpet stars peel off for grand dinners and after parties in chateaux and villas. Sometimes we journos get to go to these - am off to the On the Road party tonight - but last night the place to be was a very ordinary pub in a particularly unsavoury area by the train station. The occasion? The legendary Fantastic Fest/Fantasia karaoke bash. Sometimes you need a break from the glamour.

Crazy Cannes

Walking the Croisette around midnight is a treat. Not only do you get to see a procession of EuroTrashers dressed up to the nines but you can come across quirky little pop up events like Cannes in a Van (pictured). A democratic idea, it shows films for free to any passers by - no delegate badge required.

• Cannes photocalls collection!