Palm of Honor in Cannes for Meryl Streep: Actress feels honored

Meryl Streep (74) can add a new award to her repertoire: The American actress and Oscar winner was honored with the Palm of Honor at the Cannes Film Festival. “You have changed the way we see women,” said French actress Juliette Binoche (60) as she presented the award to her colleague, visibly moved. Streep received a minute-long standing ovation when she took the stage in an elegant white gown.

Meryl Streep: “Thought my career was over”

“This award is unique in the world of cinema and I am very, very honored to receive it,” said Streep, who thanked her agent Kevin Huvane and her stylist J. Roy Helland. The latter is responsible “for almost every single one of the characters I have played in the last half century.” The actress was last at the Cannes Film Festival 35 years ago. In 1989 she was awarded best actress for Fred Schepisi’s (84) “A Scream in the Darkness”. She was about to turn 40 and was the mother of three children, Streep looked back on her last visit on Tuesday.

“I thought my career was over – and that wasn’t an unrealistic expectation for actresses at the time,” she said in her speech. “And the only reason I am here today and that it has continued is because of the very talented artists I have worked with, including Madam President.” By this she meant Greta Gerwig (40), this year’s president of the Cannes jury. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gerwig also became emotional when honoring her colleague and wiped away tears.

On the first evening of the festival, numerous stars did the honors, including Léa Seydoux (38), Heidi Klum (50) and Helena Christensen (55). The film festival will end on May 25th.