Fan Fare

Call it a Cannes-style recession, courtesy of Disney magic. Even though there are fewer people at this year’s film festival — merchants say business is down some 30 percent — the opening night premiere party for the movie “Up” still lit up the Croisette late Wednesday night.

The new Disney/Pixar animated movie about an old man who ties balloons onto his house and floats into the air on the journey of a lifetime opened to solid reviews by critics, and fans at last night’s premiere almost unanimously seemed to buy into its sentiment.

But beyond the Disney/Pixar celebration, the party mood that generally grips this playground for the rich and famous on the French Riviera was decidedly subdued. There were fewer yachts in the bay, fewer loud discos pumping music onto the beach and several restaurants and bars that would usually be packed with opening night crowds had, in fact, closed for lack of business.

Still, as they say in entertainment, “the show must go on,” and Disney put one on late Wednesday night. One small item of note, however. Typically at these premieres, there will be plenty of food and drinks on hand, but it did not go unnoticed by anyone at the Disney party that the food was, for the most part, only fruits and candy — hardly a feast for Cannes. Then again, these are tough times, even in the film business.