Alain Delon gave a teary-eyed acceptance speech for his Honorary Palme d' Or at a ceremony at the Grand Salle on May 20. He was accompanied by his daughter Anouchka Delon who introduced him before he came up to the podium. Delon relied on her support and she in turn helped him through what appeared to be for him a difficult and humbling experience.

In his acceptance speech the 83 year old veteran French actor said he would be leaving his fans amidst protests from the audience who has grown up on his films. It appeared that the award seemed to mean to him that he was at the end of his career. Delon was clearly emotional about the award and mustered enough poise to accept it.

The award was bestowed on him for his acting career, according to festival director Thierry Frémaux who gave introductory remarks at the ceremony with a full screen image of the younger Delon.  Frémaux emphasized that the award was for his work as an artist, not for his private off screen beliefs. Neverthless despite making this distinction it was a controversial award because of his well-known nationalist ideas and statements about "slapping women around" and objection to gay couples raising children.

Moira Sullivan

Filmfestivals.com

FIPRESCI