Another feather in the cap: Cannes Film Festival honours Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh is adding another trophy to her shelf. The Oscar-winning actress is the latest honoree of Kering’s Women in Motion award which is aimed at highlighting contributions by women in culture and arts.

The award ceremony took place last night at the historic Place de la Castre museum in the oldest district of Cannes.

She was presented the award for her distinguished and “exceptional career” by the Cannes Festival director Thierry Fremaux.

He accompanied by the Cannes Festival president, Iris Knobloch and the chairperson and CEO of Kering, Francois-Henri Pinault.

During the event, Yeoh delivered a moving speech on the value and importance of art.

“Art has been the binding force of humanity. Before kings and governments, before tools and technology, we shared paintings on cave walls and stories around fires.

“It is at the heart of us and this gives it power. It moves like water, capable of causing great beauty, great terror and great change.

“I have watched the currents throughout my entire career and I am watching the tides turn now,” she said.

The ceremony took place behind closed doors with some of the biggest stars in attendance including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jason Statham, Brie Larson, Alfonso Cuaron and Cannes jury president Ruben Ostlund, among others.

“For me, this award is not only a recognition of my work but also a celebration of all those who too often go unacknowledged.

“There is still work to do. We have a long way to go before we can say we are on equal footing. So what I would like to say is, keep fighting, keep pushing, keep telling your stories. Your voices and vision are important,” Yeoh concluded.

Fremaux remarked that Yeoh is “passionately dedicated to her films and has made her mark on the industry in so many different ways, and whom they had the great pleasure of welcoming to the jury of the Festival de Cannes in 2002.”

“Throughout her career, she has relentlessly explored new possibilities - to the point where this has become her trademark for a large international audience.

“The awards she is receiving are simply the inevitable outcome of this exceptional journey,” he added.

Knobloch said: “I am happy and proud to celebrate, along with Kering, the contribution made by women to the film industry.

“For the past nine years, Women in Motion has been highlighting the figures who have played a key role in changing the way women are represented in culture and the arts.

“And Yeoh is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding examples of this commitment.”

Yeoh joins an enviable list of actors from around the world to be granted the honour.

Previous recipients include Jane Fonda, Viola Davis, Gong Li and Isabelle Huppert. Swiss director Carmen Jacquier was honoured with an Emerging Talent Award, alongside Yeoh.

Kalash Nanda Kumar is a FIPRESCI critic and an international voter for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). He is reporting from the Cannes Film Festival.

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