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Marie-Madeleine Remoleur
Published on Sep 7, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.
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Celebrating the history of American cinema while keeping its eyes fixed on the future, this is what the Deauville festival (Calvados) decided to do for the opening night of its 50th edition, Friday evening, by honoring the rich career of Michael Douglas, but also the emergence of Malia Ann, daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama who came to present her first short film The Heart.
A Deauville “so special” for Michael Douglas
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“This is the fifth time I’ve come to Deauville, but it won’t be the last,” smiled Michael Douglas, before receiving the Honorary Award for this 50th edition. A fifth for Michael… but a tenth for the Douglas family, if we add the visits of his father, Kirk. A link between the Douglases and Deauville that Joy and Alexandre Barrière, grandchildren of Lucien Barrière, retraced with emotion, evoking these family stories, “of love, loyalty and transmission” that continue to be written, while the festival ages… without aging a day.
On the red carpet or on the CID stage, Michael Douglas never stopped talking about what ties him to Deauville. ©Marie-Madeleine Remoleur / Le Pays d’Auge
On the red carpet or on the stage of the CID auditorium, the actor from Basic Instinct and The Game did not fail to praise the merits of Deauville, for its “hospitality”, but also for “its festival, its horses, its golf course and for playing at the casino”.
Michael Douglas also did not forget to recall his attachment to this Norman town, “so special” to him, which allowed him to meet his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, in 1988. His “best” memory, which he recounts with tenderness:
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Three weeks before coming to the festival, I had seen Zorro. When I arrived in Deauville, I saw that Zorro was on the program the next evening. I asked my assistant if Catherine Zeta-Jones was coming… and if she was coming alone, so we could have a drink. The rest is history.
Michael Douglas
In Deauville, Ludivine Sagnier, who shares the screen with Michael Douglas in the mini-series Franklin, retraced more than five decades of a “dizzying filmography that spans eras, genres and continents.” ©Dominique Saint / Le Pays d’Auge
Deauville, which he loves so much… and which loves him back. Like the photos of his films that adorn the walls of the suite at the Royal that he occupies, his rich career was put in the spotlight. Evoking this “man whose career has marked generations and who continues to inspire the whole world”, Ludivine Sagnier, who shares the screen with him in the mini-series Franklin, retraced more than five decades of a “dizzying filmography that crosses eras, genres and continents”.
Citing his roles in Diamond Hunt, Wall Street, My Life with Liberace, Free Fall and The Kominsky Method, she emphasizes: “He was able to brilliantly embody human complexity without ever losing his charm or his vulnerability that touches us so deeply.” For his part, the actor evokes “55 years where I worked as hard on failures as on successes” and assures: “I prefer to have a small role in a good film than a big role in a bad film.”
The Deauville Festival paid tribute to Michael Douglas. ©Marie-Madeleine Remoleur / Le Pays d’Auge Michael Douglas and Ludivine Sagner on the red carpet in Deauville. ©Dominique Saint / Le Pays d’Auge
With Malia Ann, a rising talent in the spotlight
For this 50th edition, the organizers had repeated it. They did not want a “nostalgic celebration”, but a “living festival”. “We are resolutely looking towards the future”, insists again Aude Hesbert, new director of the festival, introducing this new generation Prize. It was awarded to Malia Ann who wrote and directed her first short film, The Heart, “a fantastic journey into the depths of mourning and regret, a tale about solitude and forgiveness”, describes the president.
Aude Hesbert paid tribute to Malia Ann, in Deauville. ©Marie-Madeleine Remoleur / Le Pays d’Auge
In a speech full of gratitude, Malia Ann recounts her doubts when, in making it, she sometimes feared “that the story would seem too insignificant or too haphazard, that it would not be strong enough to carry a clear social or political message.” She mentioned her generation and the way it sees the world:
When we experience things for the first time, we confront them head on, we make bold art, and our statements are grandiose. It is not for nothing that children always have skinned knees unlike adults. It is not for nothing that young people are so often the initiators of change.
Malia Ann
With gratitude, she spoke of the films made by others before her. “They taught me empathy, patience and they strengthened my ability to love those I have never met,” she said, making cinema an artistic bridge between the past and her future. Just like what this Deauville festival wants to be, to continue, as Mayor Philippe Augier emphasizes, to “see, listen, feel, discover and understand the diversity and many facets of American society.”
The jury of the Deauville festival competition at the heart of the CID. ©Marie-Madeleine Remoleur / Le Pays d’Auge
Other photos from this first evening of the festival can be found below:
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Deauville film festival wiki
Deauville Film Festival 2024: Celebrating the History of American Cinema and Honoring Emerging Talent
The 50th edition of the Deauville Film Festival in Calvados, France, kicked off on Friday evening with a star-studded opening night that celebrated the rich career of Michael Douglas and introduced emerging talent Malia Ann, daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama. The festival’s commitment to honoring the history of American cinema while keeping its eyes fixed on the future was evident in this year’s lineup.
A Deauville “So Special” for Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas, a five-time visitor to Deauville, was awarded the Honorary Award for this 50th edition. The actor’s attachment to the Norman town dates back to 1988, when he met his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Douglas spoke fondly of Deauville, praising its ”hospitality,” as well as its festival, horses, golf course, and casino. He also expressed his gratitude for the festival, which he described as “so special” to him.
Tribute to Michael Douglas’ Distinguished Career
Ludivine Sagnier, who shares the screen with Douglas in the mini-series Franklin, paid tribute to his illustrious career, which spans over five decades and multiple genres. Sagnier highlighted his ability to embody human complexity without losing his charm or vulnerability, citing his roles in Diamond Hunt, Wall Street, My Life with Liberace, Free Fall, and The Kominsky Method. Douglas himself reflected on his 55-year career, stating that he prefers small roles in good films over big roles in bad ones.
Malia Ann: A Rising Talent in the Spotlight
The festival also honored emerging talent Malia Ann, who wrote and directed her first short film, The Heart. Aude Hesbert, the new director of the festival, introduced the new generation Prize, which was awarded to Ann for her poignant film about mourning and regret. Ann spoke about her doubts in making the film, fearing it might be too insignificant or haphazard, but ultimately expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share her vision.
Deauville Film Festival: A Platform for New Talent and Celebrating the History of American Cinema
The Deauville Film Festival has established itself as a premier platform for emerging talent, while also celebrating the rich history of American cinema. With its commitment to honoring the past while embracing the future, the festival continues to thrive, attracting A-list talent and showcasing innovative films.
The Future of Deauville Film Festival
As the festival looks towards the future, it’s clear that it will continue to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of filmmakers and honoring the legends of American cinema. With its unique blend of nostalgia and innovation, the Deauville Film Festival is poised to remain a major player in the global film industry.
References:
<a href="https://www.festival-deauville.com
Programme Festival Deauville 2024
The Deauville Film Festival: A Celebration of American Cinema and Emerging Talent
The Deauville Film Festival, also known as the Deauville American Film Festival [[2]], recently celebrated its 50th edition with a star-studded event that honored the rich career of Michael Douglas, while also shining a spotlight on emerging talent, including Malia Ann, daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama.
Michael Douglas: A Longstanding Affair with Deauville
Michael Douglas, the renowned actor from films like Basic Instinct and The Game, received the Honorary Award at the festival, marking his fifth visit to Deauville. The actor’s attachment to the Norman town dates back to 1988, when he met his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, during a festival screening of Zorro [[3]]. Douglas praised Deauville’s hospitality, festival, horses, golf course, and casino, calling it “so special” to him.
A Tribute to Michael Douglas’ Distinguished Career
Ludivine Sagnier, who shares the screen with Douglas in the mini-series Franklin, retraced his five decades-long career, highlighting his “dizzying filmography that spans eras, genres, and continents.” Douglas’ roles in films like Diamond Hunt, Wall Street, My Life with Liberace, Free Fall, and The Kominsky Method were celebrated, with Sagnier emphasizing his ability to embody human complexity without losing his charm or vulnerability.
Malia Ann: A Rising Talent in the Spotlight
The festival also featured Malia Ann, daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, who presented her first short film, The Heart. The organizers aimed to create a “living festival” that looks towards the future, rather than a nostalgic celebration. With Malia Ann’s presence, the festival solidified its commitment to showcasing emerging talent and supporting the next generation of filmmakers.
The Deauville Film Festival: A Hub for American Cinema
The Deauville Film Festival, established in 1975, has become a hub for American cinema, celebrating its rich history while keeping its eyes fixed on the future. The festival’s 50th edition was a testament to its dedication to honoring established talent, while also providing a platform for new voices to emerge. As the festival continues to evolve, it remains a beacon for American cinema, fostering a community that celebrates the art of filmmaking.
References:
[1] Deauville Film Festival (2023) Award-winners and contenders from Deauville Film Festival (2023)
[2] The Deauville American Film Festival
<a href="https://variety.com/2024/film/global/michael-douglas-catherine-zeta-jones-de
