Yes, Barbra Is Going to Cannes

Hold onto your binoculars and sunscreen. Barbra Streisand is set to receive an Honorary Palme dOr at the Cannes Film Festival this May, and yes, this is her first official trip to that famous seaside red carpet.

What she said

"It is with a sense of pride and deep humility, that Im honored to join the company of past Honorary Palme dOr recipients whose work has long inspired me," Streisand said, adding that movies can open hearts and minds, remind us of our fragility and resilience, and help build a more compassionate world. Translation: shes thrilled, and cinema matters.

When and where

The 79th Festival de Cannes runs from May 12 to May 23. Streisand will be presented with the Honorary Palme dOr during the festivals awards ceremony on May 23. Thats the night the trophies come out and the fashion crimes are forgiven.

Cannes speaks

Festival director Thierry Frmaux praised Streisand as a "global star" and "the legendary synthesis between Broadway and Hollywood," saying hearing her sing and seeing her perform are highlights of our best years. Cannes also noted that her record in entertainment is unparalleled and that her cultural influence in the latter half of the 20th century is staggering.

Shes in very good company

Past winners of the Honorary Palme dOr include a whos who of screen heavyweights:

  • Peter Jackson
  • Agnes Varda
  • Marco Bellocchio
  • Jodie Foster
  • Meryl Streep
  • Robert De Niro
  • Tom Cruise

Also worth noting: the charity stuff

Streisands got a philanthropic side that Cannes didnt neglect to mention. Highlights include the Barbra Streisand Womens Heart Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and the Streisand Foundations support for gender and minority equality, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental causes, medical research, and arts education for disadvantaged children.

One more appearance?

On a related note, she is expected to perform at the Oscars during the In Memoriam segment in honor of her late The Way We Were co-star Robert Redford. So yes, May is going to be busy: one Cannes trophy, possibly one Oscar stage, and enough applause to drown out the paparazzi helicopters.

Bottom line: Cannes is rolling out the gold carpet for Barbra. Shes finally coming, shes getting a major honor, and shes bringing decades of star power and a charitable résumé to prove she hasnt been idle.