WE WERE THERE – The American actor, whose father Kirk Douglas helped organize the event, rocked the red carpet.
After the controversies, here comes the time for glamour. The 50e The Deauville American Film Festival opened on Friday under the tutelage of American actor Michael Douglas, a regular at the event. This is the fifth time he has made the trip to the French seaside resort, which maintains close ties with his family.
His father Kirk Douglas was instrumental in the creation of the event half a century ago. It was also at the Deauville festival that Michael Douglas met his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. The actor from Wall Street set the red carpet alight. His advance was punctuated by “Michael, Michael» that rang out all along Boulevard Cornuchet. As he entered the amphitheater of the Deauville International Center, the entire room stood up. Michael Douglas took the time to greet before returning to his seat before being awarded an honorary prize.
«This is the 5the This is the time I have been to Deauville and it won’t be the last, even though when you get to a certain age and receive a trophy for your entire career, you can’t help but wonder if festivals know more about your health than your doctors. “, joked the 79-year-old American actor upon receiving his award.Deauville is a wonderful town for golf, horses and casino“, joked the man who boasts of an unparalleled welcome.It’s not every day that you get welcomed into a suite with your name on it and the walls covered with photos from your movies.“, noted the Basic Instinct star.
Thanking his partner in the series Franklin Ludivine Sagnier who was in charge of his eulogy, Michael Douglas remained in the continuity of his character by recalling to what extent the United States owed its independence to France. Then ending on a more personal note, the actor returned to his Norman love at first sight for Catherine Zeta Jones.
Malia Obama also awarded
She was then succeeded at the podium by Malia Ann Obama. The daughter of the former Democratic president is taking her first steps as a director and screenwriter. The festival awarded her the new generation prize, specific to this 50th edition, before screening her short film The Heart, somewhat static fable about mourning. The young woman recognized it herself: it was difficult to follow Michael Douglas.
During this long opening ceremony, a heartfelt tribute was paid to the creators of the festival, André Halimi, producer, Lionel Chouchan, writer, Michel D’Ornano – then mayor of the city – and Lucien Barrière, owner of the eponymous hotels and casinos. The singer Camelia Jordana also went on stage and performed on the piano the flagship song of Claude Lelouch’s film A man and a woman. A few seconds of silence and a black screen also paid tribute to the memory of Hollywood icon Gena Rowlands, who died in August.
And The Heart drew polite applause, the audience was more vigorous for the opening film, Ellen Kuras’s classic biopic Lee Miller. The war photographer is played by Kate Winslet, who did not make the trip.
The guests, invited to the opening dinner at the Casino, were treated to one last surprise. A concert by Jain. The singer of The Fool appeared at one in the morning. Enough to promise a short night for festival-goers and jurors. Benoit Magimel’s jury will begin viewing the 14 independent films in competition on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
