Michael Douglas, a regular attendee of the Cannes Film Festival, is set to receive the Honorary Palme d’Or at this year’s festival. The 78-year-old Hollywood veteran will be honored for his illustrious career during the festival’s opening ceremony on 16 May.
The ‘Fatal Attraction’ star said, “From my first time here in 1979 for The China Syndrome to my most recent premiere for Behind the Candelabra in 2013, the Festival has always reminded me that the magic of cinema is not just in what we see onscreen but in its ability to impact people all around the world. After more than 50 years in the business, it’s an honor to return to the Croisette to open the Festival and embrace our shared global language of film.”
He also added, “It is always a breath of fresh air to be at Cannes, which has long provided a wonderful platform for bold creators, artistic audacities, and excellence in storytelling.” In celebration of the movie icon, Amine Mesta’s documentary ‘Michael Douglas, The Prodigal Son’ will be aired at the festival on 14 May and 16 May.
The preview of the documentary about Michael Douglas, the recipient of the Honorary Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, suggests that it will explore how he embraced his resemblance to his father Kirk in order to assert his own individuality throughout his career as an actor and producer. The documentary will provide insight into how Michael became his own person in Hollywood despite the legacy of his famous father.
Douglas follows in the footsteps of Tom Cruise, Forest Whitaker, Jodie Foster, and Bernardo Bertolucci in being chosen for the top honour.