Marie Gicquel and AFP// Photo credits: POOL / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP 10:07 am, May 18, 2023

American star Michael Douglas received a standing ovation before receiving the Palme d'Or d'honneur at the Cannes Film Festival to crown his 55-year career. He also praised the Cannes Film Festival and the love of cinema in France.

"I wondered how I could have lasted so long": American star Michael Douglas received a standing ovation before receiving the Palme d'Or d'honneur at the Cannes Film Festival to crown his 55-year career.

"What a hug!" he shouted in front of the room that warmly applauded him and where his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, and his daughter Carys were present. "It means a lot to me because there are hundreds of film festivals around the world but there is only one Cannes. (...) It's an incredible honor," he said.

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"I'm getting a little older," joked the 78-year-old American actor. "Looking back at my 55 years, I wondered how I could have lasted so long," he commented, while adding: "We work as hard for our failures as for our successes."

"Iconic movie star"

This festival "reminds us (...) that cinema transcends limits and unites borders," he said. "In Cannes and all over the France, I would like to embrace with all my heart," he said in French, before American actress Uma Thurman presented him with the prize. She called Douglas an "iconic movie star" and a luminous artist.

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A short film was shown shortly before his appearance on stage, showing short excerpts from his most iconic films, such as "Fatal Liaison" (1987), "Basic Instinct" (1992) or "My Life with Liberace" (2013). Last year, Forest Whitaker and Tom Cruise were awarded the Palme d'Or d'honneur.