Sex, drugs and Beat poets: On the Road premieres in Cannes

Appearing at a photo call with her On the Road co-stars, Stewart stood out in acid-bright Balenciaga trousers teamed with a white t-shirt and blazer. Dunst opted for a white Dolce & Gabanna dress.

In Walter Salles’ On the Road, based on the autobiographical book by Jack Kerouac, both ELLE cover stars play wife and lover to Hedlund’s womanising hedonist Dean Moriarty, a character modelled on the notorious Neal Cassady. Hedlund—who previously stole the show opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong—screams charisma in his energetic turn as the free-spirited drifter who takes a road trip with pal Sal (Riley, who narrates the film and represents author Kerouac).

As Kerouac fans will know, the story isn’t shy of sex and drugs: Stewart features in a couple of threesomes with the male stars as well as some of her steamiest sex scenes to date. While Stewart’s character Marylou is a free-living romantic, Dunst plays the more grounded Camille, Moriarty’s second wife. Such was Dunst’s chemistry with Hedlund they embarked on a relationship during filming—wonder if she and Stewart compared notes about hooking up with their co-stars?

Speaking of which, we spotted Robert Pattinson later that evening at the On the Road party in Le Baron hosted by Diesel, which took place after the premiere he attended in support of Stewart. Looking suave and relaxed—chewing on a toothpick! —Pattinson swept past champagne-swilling revellers into a darkened corner of the club.

Stewart was, of cou