Cannes [France], May 26 : 'Star Wars' creator George Lucas was felicitated with an honorary Palme d'Or at the closing ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival. And it was his collaborator, Francis Ford Coppola who presented the award.
Lucas received a heartfelt tribute from the audience as they gave him a several-minute standing ovation. When Coppola came on stage, the two embraced and exchanged some private remarks.
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While presenting the award to Lucas, Coppola in his speech recalled his first meeting with the 'Star Wars' creator, who shadowed him on the set of his film 'Finian's Rainbow' in 1968, as per Variety.
"Pleased to have someone in my own generation, I suggested he come every day, but only on one condition: That he come up with a brilliant suggestion every day, which he consistently did. And with that began an association that has lasted a lifetime," Coppola said. "And he went on and on, making film history, story history, business history and now history in France."
Coppola also mentioned the time Lucas was rejected by the owners of the "Flash Gordon" comic strip when he pitched a film adaptation. "He looked at me and he said, 'Well, I'll make my own movie, I'll call it 'Star Battles' or 'Star Wars' or something.' And so he did, and in the process risked everything he had to make it," Coppola said. "Congratulations George, not only am I and your many friends proud of you, but the world is here, proud to honor you."
Accepting the award, Lucas said, "I can't thank all of you enough because I'm just a kid that grew up in a vineyard in Modesto, Calif., who makes movies in San Francisco with Francis."
Looking back on his nearly 60 years in the film industry, Lucas added that "it's definitely a different world" now.
"I've actually never made a film in Hollywood as a director, so it's a real honour to be here," he concluded. "Thank you so much."
Lucas credited-movies have been to Cannes four times: THX 1138 in 1971, Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith in 2005, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008 and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023 (he wasn't in attendance last year).
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