Barbra Streisand has found a way to show her appreciation for the Cannes Film Festival after a knee injury forced her to miss the 2026 film festival.
Days after the iconic singer, 84, announced that she would not be at the festival’s closing ceremony to receive her honorary Palme d’Or, Isabelle Huppert took the stage Saturday with the statuette. Then, Streisand herself appeared on the big screen with a video message thanking the festival for the honor and speaking about her love for foreign films.
“I was mesmerized by those images on the screen,” Streisand said about watching movies as an adolescent. “They were so powerful that they’re still in my head. I wanted to be an actress and live in those other more interesting worlds.”
She went on to say that movies taught her how to think critically about stories and ask the right questions.
“I didn’t realize at the time, but I was thinking like a director,” Streisand said. “Trying to figure out how to tell the story. And I had stories I wanted to tell.”
Speaking about her directorial debut with the 1981 film Yentl, the film legend said: “I was a woman, which was an obstacle to people. Even worse, was an actress who wanted to direct. So every studio turned me down. And for 15 years the project was on the verge of collapsing. But I had to make this movie.”
She concluded: “In this crazy volatile world that seems more fractured every day, it’s reassuring to see the compelling movies at this festival, by artists from many countries. Film has that magical ability to unite us, opening our hearts and mind. I’m so proud to be part of this community, so merci beaucoup and vive la cinema!”
The message came a week after Streisand shared a statement revealing that she would not be able to attend the festival.
“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,” she said, according to Variety. “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.”
She 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.”
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