CANNES-Borat hits the beach, Coppola surprise

CANNES, France, May 26 (Reuters) With just four films yet to screen out of the 20 in competition at the Cannes film festival this year, thoughts are turning to the awards show late on Sunday.

Following are some snippets from on and around the Croisette, Cannes' palm-lined waterfront.

BORAT ON THE BEACH Shock British comic Sacha Baron Cohen appeared on the Cannes beach on Wednesday sporting a bright green thong suspended from his shoulders, and a pair of shoes and socks.

In town to promote his latest film ''Borat'', the name he gives to the spoof Kazakh television presenter character which has upset the authorities in Kazakhstan, Cohen drew laughs and gasps in equal measure as he strutted between the sunbathing beauties.

CANNES - CRUEL TO BE KIND? Taking a leaf out of the story of Marie Antoinette, the French gave the Coppola clan, considered royalty on the Croisette, a rough ride this week when director Sofia's film about the ill-fated queen was booed by some at the press screening.

Sofia Coppola, daughter of two-time ''Palme d'Or'' winner Francis Ford Coppola, admitted she had a tough task telling the story of the controversial figure from French history to a largely French audience. But perhaps it was not the French critics who had derided the film after all.

A poll of French critics published each day in the ''Le Film Francais'' magazine showed that six out of fourteen local reviewers gave the film the highest possible ranking, more than for any other of the 20 competition entries.

BABEL TWICE The audience at the first press screening of Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's ''Babel'' were treated to a longer version of the film than they had anticipated. When one scene was repeated, the audience wondered if it was a cinematic trick. When another familiar-looking episode re-appeared, they knew the reels were mixed up. The problem was quickly resolved.

Brad Pitt, who stars in the film, sent an e-mail to be read out at the press conference saying he was sorry not to be in Cannes due to the ''imminent arrival'' of his baby with Angelina Jolie. In his absence, co-star Cate Blanchett likened the Hollywood heartthrob to chocolate.

REUTERS SRS BD0904