Catherine Deneuve,
splendor in the limelight

PostED ON OCTOBER 23, 2016 AT 11:36AM

Vincent Lindon, Roman Polanski, Christophe Honoré, Quentin Tarantino, Jerry Schatzberg, Emmanuelle Bercot, Jean-Paul Rappeneau, Bertrand Tavernier, Park Chan-wook, Chiara Mastroianni, Benoit Magimel, Marisa Paredes, Costa-Gavras, and many others came to celebrate Catherine Deneuve. "The most scandalous woman in France, the bad student we all would have liked to have been," summarized the filmmaker Arnaud Desplechin, in a text read by Thierry Frémaux.

© Institut Lumière / Photo Jean-Luc Mege

Narhalie Dessay then took the stage to sing, "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" by Jacques Demy. Vincent Lindon pronounced an extraordinarily magical letter addressed to Catherine Deneuve. Speaking of fine cigarettes, hair cream and horticulture, Lindon recreated the Deneuve universe with undeniable love.

Quentin Tarantino succeeded him to underline his unforgettable encounter with the actress when he won the Palme d'Or in Cannes. Tarantino proclaimed Deneuve the best European director! 

"The strong wind in the willows. The golden dust in the twilight. The brilliance of cherry blossoms. She illuminates the room." Such was the tribute by Bertrand Tavernier, reciting a Japanese poem.

Polanski simply stated," I love you Catherine!" embracing the actress after presenting her with the Lumière Award.

In an unexpected gesture, Catherine Deneuve dedicated her award to all the farmers of France!

And with the karaoke of the song "I love you," written by Serge Gainsbourg for Claude Berri's film, the ceremony ended on a very sweet note.

Virginie Aspiou

Photos !

Part 1

Part 2