Barbra Streisand, 84, will not be present to accept her honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The iconic actress and director was scheduled to receive the prestigious award during the festival’s closing ceremony on May 23. This honor recognizes her decades-long career in film, which has included acclaimed works such as Funny Girl, The Way We Were, Yentl, A Star Is Born, and The Prince of Tides.
In a statement released on Sunday, Streisand shared that she would be unable to attend the event due to her ongoing recovery from a knee injury. “On the advice of my doctors, I am sadly unable to attend the Festival de Cannes this year,” she said. “But I am deeply honored to receive the honorary Palme d’Or and had so been looking forward to celebrating the remarkable films of the 79th edition.”
She also expressed her excitement about reconnecting with colleagues she admires and returning to France, a country she has always loved. “While I regret that I can’t be there in person, I want to extend my warmest congratulations to all of the filmmakers from around the world whose extraordinary talent and creative vision are being celebrated this year,” she added. “My heartfelt thanks to the Festival, and to everyone who continues to support and champion the art of cinema.”
Despite her absence, Streisand will still be honored at the closing ceremony alongside John Travolta and Peter Jackson, the filmmaker behind The Lord of the Rings series.
“Iris Knobloch, Thierry Frémaux and the entire festival team send Barbra Streisand their warmest wishes for a prompt recovery,” a statement from the film festival read.
The Palme d’Or is the highest honor at Cannes, awarded annually to the director of the best feature film of the festival. However, honorary awards are also frequently given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of cinema.
Travolta received his honorary Palme d’Or on Friday evening during the premiere of his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach. The film, which he also wrote and co-produced, is based on his 1997 children’s book. “This is beyond the Oscar,” Travolta said after being surprised with the honor. “I can’t believe this. This is the last thing I expected.”
Jackson was honored with an honorary Palme d’Or during the opening ceremony. He reflected on showing a teaser of the first Lord of the Rings film at Cannes in 2001. “We brought 20 minutes here in 2001 and did some press in a castle up in the hills. That gamble changed the perception of the film. By the time Fellowship of the Ring came out in December, there was an anticipation that wouldn’t have happened unless it was for Cannes.”
The May 23 Cannes closing ceremony will honor the trio of special recipients while also presenting the coveted Palme d’Or for best film.
