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KIRSTEN AND MONICA HOLD COURT AT CANNES

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25 MAY 2006

Even by Tinseltown standards, the stars pulled off a stylish coup in Cannes on Wednesday as they turned up in some of the most fabulous dresses we've seen so far. Kirsten Dunst and Monica Bellucci both turned up for the Marie Antoinette premiere in headline-grabbing gowns.

The Spider-Man star discarded standard flesh-baring designs, instead favouring a more unusual choice. She covered up in a sleeved Rochas gown by Olivier Theyskens in beautiful duck egg blue, with a pretty bird silhouette detail. It made a breath of fresh air for the young actress who played the title role. She admitted that during filming she "inhaled a lot of powder" and "got a little sick of wearing pink." While her choice of dress was cutting-edge, her hair, however, was more in keeping with the historical theme and styled in neat braids.

Monica, meanwhile, attended the glamorous screening in an extravagant creation. The Italian beauty wore a dramatic strapless black gown, embellished with red flowers and accessorised with an exquisite emerald and diamond necklace. She had competition from other stars, though, who had also made an effort to sartorially shine.

Volver actress Penelope Cruz conjured up monotone magic in her black and white frock with sweeping train, while blonde Slovak model, Adriana Karembeu, thrilled in a see-through sequined affair.
Marie Antoinette tells the story of the young Austrian princess, played by Kirsten, who becomes queen of France and loses her head. "It was tricky, but it was exciting shooting in Versailles," says director Sofia Coppola, "getting into the 18th-century clothes, and the hair and make-up took a long time and it was pretty intensive." Those expecting a standard historical re-telling are in for a surprise, however, as it is filmed in the style of pop videos and teen dramas, complete with punk soundtrack and American accents.