Cannes 2024: Emotional Juliette Binoche presents the Palme d'Or to Meryl Streep

The 77th Cannes Film Festival opened with a memorable and emotional ceremony where legendary actress Meryl Streep was awarded an honorary Palme d'Or. The prestigious accolade was presented by acclaimed French actress Juliette Binoche, who struggled to hold back tears as she handed the award to the 74-year-old star. The Grand Lumiere Theatre was packed with over 2,000 guests, including ‘Barbie’ director Greta Gerwig, president of this year's Cannes jury, who also wiped away tears during the heartfelt moment.Upon receiving the gold-plated emblem, Meryl Streep was met with a thunderous 2.5-minute standing ovation. In her acceptance speech, she expressed deep gratitude, stating, "This prize is unique in the world of cinema, and I'm very, very honored to receive it." She thanked her long-time agent, Kevin Huvane, and J. Roy Helland, her hair and makeup stylist, for their continuous support throughout her career.

Reflecting on her career, Streep shared, "The last time I was at Cannes, I was about to turn 40 and was a mother of three. I thought that my career was over, and that was not an unrealistic expectation for actresses at that time." She credited her sustained success to the talented artists she has worked with, including Gerwig, whom she referred to as "madame la president."Streep's illustrious career spans nearly five decades and includes iconic roles in films such as The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie's Choice, Out of Africa, The Bridges of Madison County, The Devil Wears Prada, and Mamma Mia! and many others. Her extensive list of accolades features three Academy Awards, eight Golden Globe Awards, and two SAG Awards. Additionally, she has received acting honors from the Berlin, Telluride, and Toronto film festivals, along with career achievement prizes from the AFI, Film Society of Lincoln Center, and Kennedy Center Honors.

Meryl Streep's only prior visit to Cannes was 35 years ago, when she attended the film A Cry in the Dark, earning the best actress prize from the festival jury. Her return to Cannes and the recognition of her extraordinary contributions to cinema made the evening a historic moment in the film industry.