Isabelle Huppert Celebrated by Alfonso Cuarón at France’s Lumiere Festival Tribute: ‘For 50 Years, She Has Cast a Spell on the Screen’
variety.comElsa Keslassy International Correspondent Reflecting the breadth of her legacy across different continents, French actor Isabelle Huppert was celebrated by the likes of Alfonso Cuarón, Claire Denis, Alejandro Jodorowsky and François Ozon at the 15th edition of the Lumiere Film Festival in Lyon where she received a sprawling career tribute on Oct.
18. Huppert kicked off the festivities as she entered the 3000-seat auditorium dancing to the 1980’s disco beats of “Nuit de folie,” dressed in a shimmery champagne gown.
The joyful ceremony, emceed by Huppert’s longtime friend (and Cannes boss) Thierry Fremaux who runs the Lumiere Film Festival, was punctuated by live musical numbers ranging widely from Camelia Jordana’s singing a capella “I Will Survive,” to Julien Clerc performing his 1978 cult song “Ma Preference” by the piano, and French actor Sandrine Kiberlain playfully singing “Nuit de folie” which was said to be Huppert’s unexpected all-time favorite song.
The most vibrant homage of the evening was delivered by Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”) who has not yet directed Huppert but nevertheless read her a love letter that attributed his passion for French cinema to her. “These films are politically engaged, and many more celebrate heritage with a sensuality unparalleled in world cinema.
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