Isabelle Huppert's award winning ceremony took place on Tuesday, November 4th, at the screening of Paul Verhoeven's film Elle, at the packed Olympion theatre. The multi-awarded actress, a guest of honor at the 66th Thessaloniki International Film Festival, was honored by Stelios Angeloudis, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, with the City of Thessaloniki award for her overall contribution to cinema and culture.
Orestis Andreadakis, the artistic director of the Festival, welcomed the audience. "The film we are about to watch today, Paul Verhoeven's Elle, reveals all the virtues of Isabelle Huppert in the best way. It is a film that will always be contemporary, and has enabled Huppert to transform the art of acting into a form of pure truth: this is something she has been doing in her entire career as an actress. Because she delves into the extremes of human emotion with remarkable honesty, portraying the complexity of the human soul without ever falling into simplicity or superficiality. Each of her roles is a dive into the darkness that always leads to the light. There is nothing superfluous in her perspective. Only sincerity, depth and an unfeigned kindness, which makes the viewer follow her even when her characters seem distant or silent. Isabelle Huppert has never shied away from challenging roles, diving deep within herself to show us that both numbness and strength exist in every character she portrays. For all this, Mrs. Huppert, dear Isabelle, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts," he concluded.
Stelios Angeloudis, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, stepped on stage to present Isabelle Huppert with the City of Thessaloniki award: “Tonight, TIFF and the Municipality of Thessaloniki honor a great artist, an iconic presence in world cinema. Isabelle Huppert is not simply a great actress. She is a true force of cinema. She is a woman who, through every role, redefines the boundaries of acting, sensitivity, and human expression. In her gaze, in her silences, in her subtle gestures, she carries the immense cinematic tradition of her homeland, France. And she always infuses it with a freshness that never stops seeking, experimenting, touching, and surprising us”, Stelios Angeloudis said.
He continued by adding: "This is not the first time that Isabelle Huppert has been here with us. She has visited Thessaloniki in the past. A city that, as she has said, she loves for its energy, its history, but above all, for its people. For us, every time she returns it feels like reuniting with an old friend; a friend carrying with her all the light and depth of European cinema. Ms. Huppert, Thessaloniki is a city deeply connected with culture. A crossroads, as we often say, of ideas and dreams. In this city, great writers, remarkable poets, influential thinkers, and, of course, outstanding filmmakers were born, lived, and created." Then, the Mayor of Thessaloniki reminded the audience that in 1998, at the Cannes Film Festival, Isabelle Huppert had granted the Palme d'Or to Theodoros Angelopoulos, as the hostess of the ceremony, for the film Eternity and a Day.
"In turn, please allow us today to grant this award to you as a sign of profound respect and gratitude for your overall contribution to the art of cinema and to world culture, as well as for the inspiration you offer to us all, artists and viewers. Dear Isabelle, Thessaloniki welcomes you again with love, admiration and emotion. In a way, you are now part of this Festival’s history and part of this city’s soul. On behalf of us all, thank you very much for being here today", Mr. Angeloudis concluded. A short tribute featuring films in which Isabelle Huppert starred was then screened.
The multi-awarded actress stepped on and welcomed the audience in Greek, and afterwards she spoke warmly about both the Festival and the city of Thessaloniki: “Thank you very much. I am deeply grateful and happy to receive this wonderful award in the name of your beautiful city. I have been walking around Thessaloniki all day. Many different cultures have coexisted here, over a long course in history, and I only wish such a spirit of multiculturalism could be found everywhere in the world. I am truly moved. I was thinking that the missing piece from my filmography is a Greek director’s film. I hope it happens someday. The film by Paul Verhoeven you will watch is wonderful and very important to me. He is a special director. My role is excellent and somewhat extreme – I have always loved such roles. I hope you enjoy the screening. Your Festival is excellent. This is my second time here in Thessaloniki. I’m glad to be back, enjoying the city’s warm atmosphere and its vibrant energy. Thank you very much. Long live cinema, Long live Thessaloniki!”
This was followed by the screening of Paul Verhoeven's film Elle, which won the Golden Globes for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actress in a Dramatic Film, as well as the César Awards for Best Film and Best Actress. Isabelle Huppert, in addition to the César Award and the Golden Globe, received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination as well.
The 66th Thessaloniki International Film Festival honors the great actress this year by screening 15 films from her rich filmography, which she herself selected together with the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, as part of the tribute entitled "Isabelle Huppert: The inner transformations of a world-class actress".
