The Cannes Film Festival paid a well -deserved tribute to Michael Douglas, an icon of American cinema, during the opening ceremony of his 76th edition by awarding him the prestigious palm of gold of honor. This award testifies to the remarkable contribution of Douglas to the film industry and his exceptional career which has marked several generations of spectators.
Two days before the ceremony, festival -goers and film enthusiasts had the opportunity to discover Michael Douglas, the prodigy son D’amine Mestari, a documentary captivating entirely dedicated to Michael Douglas. This film was available on the official website of the festival for 48 hours (and will be broadcast by Arte soon for those who missed it). This documentary retraces the life of Douglas, from his beginnings in the shadow of his famous father, actor Kirk Douglas, until his ascent towards glory and success.
The presence of Michael Douglas in Cannes was not limited to the projection of this documentary. Indeed, the day after the ceremony, he met festival -goers and journalists, sharing with them anecdotes on his career, his experiences and his love for French cinema. The actor expressed his deep affection for France and his passion for the seventh art, which transcends the borders and the origins of films. He also expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the festival, Iris KnoBloch and Thierry Frémaux, for the honor which was granted to him this year.
During this meeting, Michael Douglas also shared anecdotes on his particular relationship with the Cannes Film Festival. He recalled that it was in Cannes that his father, the legendary actor Kirk Douglas, had met Anne, who would later become his mother-in-law and with whom he was very close. Anne worked at the Cannes Film Festival, which created a special link between Michael Douglas and this event.
Michael Douglas recalled that during his career, he had the opportunity to come several times to Cannes. He notably mentioned a past controversy concerning one of his films, Liberace (2013), which was not eligible for the Palme d’Or because of its launch on a digital platform before its cinemas released in France. Despite this, Michael Douglas highlighted the importance of the Cannes Film Festival as a major cinematographic event that attracts many directors, including young talents.
The conversation with journalists also discussed the complex relationship between Michael Douglas and his father, who was very invested in his own career and only saw his children during the holidays. Douglas shared his admiration for his father’s career and the challenge he represented for him to succeed such a figure. He raised the difficulties he was able to encounter in making a first name, as well as his artistic and personal evolution after the production of the emblematic film Flight over a cuckoo nest (1975) who marked a turning point in his career and in his relationship with his father.
During this exchange with journalists, Michael Douglas also mentioned some of his emblematic roles, in particular his interpretation in Wall Street (1987) which earned him an appointment and a victory to the Oscars, and allowed him to leave definitively from the shadow of his father and to gain confidence as an actor.
He also talked about his political and social commitment, especially as a United Nations Ambassador of goodwill, supporting causes such as non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the defense of human rights.
The actor also addressed a lighter subject speaking of sex scenes in the cinema. With a humorous tone, he stressed that, in his time, there was no “intimacy coordinators” to ensure the security and respect of the actors during these scenes. Michael Douglas, who played in films such as Basic Instinct (1992), explained that the secret of a successful sex scene lived in rehearsals and choreography: ” It’s like when you repeat a combat scene, you have to develop choreography. You start very slowly and then you put yourself on a faster paceHe described. He added that it was essential that the actress does not think that he takes advantage of the situation, and that everything was carefully prepared to give an impression of spontaneity on the screen: “When you play a love scene, it is important that the actress does not believe that you enjoy the situation. You tell them upstream: I’m going to put my hand here, you put your hand there and then we kiss. If you succeed, it will seem spontaneous, while everything is very well choreographed».
By evoking the film Basic InstinctMichael Douglas recalled his release with humor in 1992 and the reactions aroused by explicit sex scenes. He joked that these scenes were considered unique, even for France, and mentioned that dinner after the screening was particularly calm when everyone was still digesting the film. He also shared an anecdote on the film Fatal link (1987), who had met immense success in France. He was explained to him that all the French had mistresses and that their women had forced them to see the film so that they understand the dangers of extramarital relations!
Finally, Michael Douglas addressed the challenges of celebrity in the era of social networks, highlighting the limits of privacy and the constant invasion of personal space by smartphones and cameras. He expressed his nostalgia for the time when there was more freedom and intimacy, regretting that today’s celebrities were constantly monitored and exposed.
Neïla Driss
