Barbra Streisand will no longer be attending the Cannes Film Festival to receive the Honorary Palme d’or after suffering from a knee injury.
“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,” Streisand said in a statement. “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.”
Her 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. My heartfelt thanks to the Festival, and to everyone who continues to support and champion the art of cinema.”
Streisand was expected to attend the closing ceremony at the Grand Théâtre Lumière on Saturday, May 23. Despite being unable to attend, the festival will proceed with the planned tribute to celebrate Streisand and her life’s work. Streisand has never had a film in Cannes before and the appearance was to be her Croisette debut.
