Barbra Streisand won’t be on hand to accept her honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Streisand, 84, was slated to receive the prestigious award during the festival’s May 23 closing ceremony, honoring her decades-long film career as a performer and director that has included Funny Girl, The Way We Were, Yentl, A Star Is Born and The Prince of Tides.
In a statement shared Sunday, per Variety, Streisand said: “On the advice of my doctors, as I continue recovering from a knee injury, I am sadly unable to attend the Festival de Cannes this year. 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.
“I was also very much looking forward to spending time with colleagues whom I so admire — and, of course, returning to France, a place I have always loved,” the statement continued.
“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.”
Streisand will still be honored, along with John Travolta and Lord of the Rings filmmaker Peter Jackson, at the closing ceremony.
“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 often given.
Travolta received the honor Friday evening at the premiere of his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, which he also wrote and co-produced. The film is based on his 1997 children’s book.
“This is beyond the Oscar,” Travolta said after being surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or. “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 recalled showing a teaser of the first Lord of the Rings film at Cannes in 2001, saying, “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 awarding the coveted Palme d’Or for best film.
