Michael Douglas receives the Palme d’Honor in Cannes

American actor Michael Douglas today received the Palme d’Or of honor at the Cannes Film Festival, as a sign of respect for his 55-year career, where he was greeted by an ovation at the gala opening, in which he assured that “many festivals in the world”, but only one ” Cannes’”.

“This means a lot to me because there are hundreds of festivals around the world, but only one is Cannes,” said the “Basic Instinct” and “Fatal Attraction” star.

In his thank you speechwho did not lack moments of emotion and a few words in French to convey his affection to the French public, Douglas (78) recalled how after years pandemic and from one war that divided the world (referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine”), this great cinematic quote from Blue coast French reminds us of the optimistic aspects of life.

“This one festival it reminds us of the positive, emphasizes our common features, shows that it is cinema they can cross borders and unite People“, he expressed.

There was room for jokes in his speech, and he even compared his age to the years of the Festival – “76 years? I’m even older!” -, but he also had words for his teachers, and above all for his father Kirk.

“For the public, it was Supermanbut to me he was my father,” he said.

He also thanked his wife for her support. Catherine Zeta-Jonesand his daughter, Carys Zetawho accompanied him to Cannes and escorted him on his walk on the red carpet.

The person in charge of presenting him with the Palme d’Or was actress Uma Thurman, who recalled that it was him assign It is delivered to people who have made a outstanding contribution to the cinema and assured that she could not think of anyone better than michael douglas“titan” of the seventh art.

Formerly French-Italian actress and singer Chiara Mastroiannidaughter of actors Catherine Deneuve and Marcello Mastroianniwas in charge of opening the ceremony with a welcome speech as a professor ceremonies of this edition.

“Cinematography belongs to life, it is its reflection,” assured Mastroianni before introducing the Palme d’Or jury for this 76th edition, chaired by Swedish director Ruben Östlund.

director”Triangle of sadness – last year’s big winner of the festival – pleaded in favor of the cinema and its theaters as meeting places in the era of social networks.

After the official opening, the first film of 2023 was shown at the Festival, the historical drama “Jeanne du Barry” directed by the French actress Maïwenn, who also stars in the film alongside Johnny Depp.

Both were another big attraction red carpet from La Croisette beach.

This film festival in Cannes will last until May 27 with 21 movies in the fight for the Palme d’Or.

These include new films by Wes Anderson, Nanni Moretti, Wim Wenders, Ken Loach and Brazilian Karim Aïnouz.

Outside the competition, you can see the new short film Pedro Almodóvar’s “Strange Way of Life”, and the return of the director, also from Spain Victor Erice with “Close Your Eyes”.

The festival will also feature Latin American productions such as “Lost in the Night” by the Mexican Amat Escalante, “Eureka” by the Argentinian Lisandro Alonso or the Chilean “Los colonos”, the first film by Felipe Gálvez.