George Lucas, father of “Star Wars”, gave a masterclass this Friday at the Festival. How did he sneak into Cannes in 1971? Critics of the lack of diversity in his films… He also returned to the Genesis of “Star Wars.” At age 80, he will receive an honorary Palme d’Or this Saturday.
In life, you have to be lucky, in making films too. This is what George Lucas’ experience proves. The father of “Star Wars” gave a masterclass on Friday at the Cannes Film Festival, before receiving an honorary Palme d’Or at the age of 80 on Saturday even though he has never won an award for one of his films .
He granted us an interview. The director is happy to receive an award: “This prize at Cannes validates my work a little. It’s always good when people think you’re doing a good job.”
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George Lucas, director of “Starwars” explains his links with the Cannes Film Festival. He has never won an award for one of his films despite his commercial success, but he received a palm of honor
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Despite the billions in box office revenue raked in by its franchise, the American director has never won an Oscar in his country, except for an honorary statuette. “It’s always great to be recognized.”he comments on Friday in front of the public Cannes. “Obviously we have a lot of fans and all that kind of stuff. But in terms of awards, I don’t make the kind of films that win awards!”
Lucas first came to Cannes in 1971 for his science fiction film experimental “THX 1138”. It was a failure at the box office and the Warner studio refused to pay for his trip to France for the festival. Lucas managed to land on the Côte d’Azur “under crazy rain”. He remembers : “We were able to see the movie. We sneaked in. We didn’t have tickets. We didn’t have anything. We just walked in.” Asked decades later why he didn’t show up At the film’s press conference, he responded: “I didn’t know there was one…”
“THX 1138” ended up becoming “cult, because people took acid and watched it”, laughs Lucas. His next film, “American Graffiti” (1973), was also initially hated by his studio. But it grossed over $100 million at the box office. An executive from the Fox studio suggested that he do “whatever you want…you have other films?” “I said ‘well, I have this sci-fi thing, crazy 1930s movie…dogs flying spaceships and all that’. To his great surprise, the studio accepted. So you always have to have projects in your drawers, just in case…
“Star Wars” came out in 1977, and the rest is history. The “Star Wars” phenomenon would probably not exist without its epic score signed by composer John Williams. And there, Lucas says thank you to Steven Spielberg. It was the latter who recommended “a jazz guy”.
“When I heard the music with the whole orchestra, I said to myself ‘oh my God,’ portrays Lucas.
Sound is half the movie…it’s the secret sauce.
George Lucas, director of Star Wars
“What about Princess Leia?” Lucas brushed off criticism of “Star Wars” at Cannes, accused of coming out of a mold too white and too masculine. “Most of the characters are aliens”he retorted. “Even if they’re big and hairy or green, the idea is that all people are equal.” To the criticism of the lack of women in his films, Lucas responded: “Who do you think are the heroes of these films? And Princess Leia? She’s the leader of the rebellion.” A way to silence the critics and take back the lightsaber.
George Lucas is to receive a palm of honor for his immense career this Saturday, May 25 during the closing ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival which begins at 6:45 p.m. Which brings the number of honorary gold palms awarded this year to three: at the start of the festival to Merryll Streep at the start of the festival and another at the legendary animation studio Ghibli co-founded by Miyazaki. A first for a studio.
