We’re delighted to welcome award-winning photographer and director Richard Blanshard to the bookshop, where he’ll be signing copies of his stunning new book Cannes Uncut.

When he arrived at the Cannes Film Festival in 1976, 22-year-old Richard Blanshard had no idea that he would become an official photographer for the UK and US film industry for the next two decades. His first assignment was to photograph Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly as they promoted their movie That’s Entertainment, Part II. It was to be the first of many.

Today the only images we see are from the red carpet. Smartphones and social media have made it difficult for the talent to relax, but during his time there Blanshard had unfettered access to the stars and industry greats as they worked, partied and relaxed throughout their time at Cannes.

Through his remarkable collection, spanning stars and celebrities from the Golden Age of Hollywood through to the rising talent of the era, Blanshard lifts the lid on what life was really like behind the scenes at the world’s most iconic film festival. In an age where publicists, actors and actresses are ever mindful and protective of their image and reputation, we’ll never see another collection quite like it.