PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Nicole Kidman gave a long-awaited dedication to her late mother Friday night at the Palm Springs Film Festival.
“I feel my mom right now. This is for you, mom,” Kidman said on stage through tears. The Australian actor and producer’s mother died last year shortly after Kidman arrived at the Venice Film Festival to promote “Babygirl.”
“I didn’t get the chance to do it at the Venice Film Festival,” the actor said. “Thank you for giving me the chance to say this is for my mother. My whole career has been for my mother and father.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Kidman’s co-star and friend in “Scarpetta,” presented her with the International Star Award at the 36th annual International Film Awards at the Palm Springs, California, festival.
The intimate gala kicked off Hollywood’s blockbuster awards season, honoring some of the contenders for the film industry’s most anticipated awards.
Kidman was among notable stars including Adrien Brody, Zoe Saldaña, Isabella Rossellini and Angelina Jolie, who were awarded the Desert Palm Achievement Award-Actress by her godmother, famous actress Jacqueline Bisset.
PHOTOS: Kidman Gives Tearful Dedication to Her Late Mother as Movie Stars Reunite for Heartfelt Gala in Palm Springs
Jolie, who plays opera singer Maria Callas in the Netflix biopic “Maria,” is nominated for the Golden Globe for best performance by an actress in a motion picture.
“I’m fine today because when I leave this stage, I’m more myself because of you, Zahara, and your siblings,” the Oscar winner told his daughter while reflecting on the difficult life of Callas. . Jolie’s speech came days after finalizing a divorce settlement with Brad Pitt that lasted more than eight years.
The evening was full of reflection on stage as recipients and presenters delivered long, heartfelt speeches during the non-televised event.
Colman Domingo, who received the Spotlight Award from his good friend Demi Moore, reflected on the impact art had on him as a child and its power to transform lives. The speech was a nod to his recent film, “Sing Sing,” which tells the story of incarcerated men who find purpose while performing in a theater troupe.
“I discovered art when I really needed it as a parachute to save my life,” Domingo said. “Art saves lives. It saved mine. This will save yours.
Receiving the Chairman Award, Timothée Chalamet said he was “lucid” about his career and thanks music icon Bob Dylan for indirectly providing him with the perspective he has to work as an actor out of love for this art form.
Chalamet plays Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” and spent more than five years preparing for his transformation into a folk musician.
“A wise man once said, ‘They can hurt you if they boo you, they can also kill you with kindness.’ I took my anxiety about tonight as a good sign that I’m actually focused on what really matters. The work and the possibility of doing the work again,” Chalamet said.
Intertwined with this sentiment, the stars also took the time to poke fun at themselves and their peers.
Jennifer Coolidge presented Ariana Grande with the Rising Star award, noting that the actor and “Wicked” pop star was already a household name.
“Isn’t Ariana up already?” » said Coolidge.
Grande, who almost dropped the hefty award on stage, said she expected to receive the “withering star” award at 31 and playfully thanked her “good friends Botox and Juvederm.”
Chalamet, who presented director Denis Villeneuve with the Visionary Award alongside Amy Adams, reminded the director that he worked more production days with the director than actor Jake Gyllenhaal.
“Perhaps if I could describe Denis’s films, it’s that they just keep getting bigger and better. Apologies once again to Jake Gyllenhaal, who was in the earlier, smaller films,” Chalamet said.
Kieran Culkin cheekily pointed out that he was receiving a Breakthrough Award-Actor for his work in Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘A Real Pain’ after working in the industry for over 30 years.
“It’s weird being here, doing this for over 36 years. This is the perfect time to get my breakthrough award,” Culkin said.
Mikey Madison received the Breakthrough Award-Actress for her work in Sean Baker’s “Anora,” while Adrien Brody received the Desert Palm Achievement Award-Actor.
The entire cast of “Conclave” won the Ensemble Performance Award, with director Edward Berger praising the unique performances of each of his actors in the religious drama.
“Emilia Pérez” won the event’s Vanguard Award. Actor Alan Cumming praised the film and said his immediate reaction was, “What’s really going on here?” I remained completely fascinated until the credits rolled.
The stars won’t spend much time in the California desert before traveling two hours west to Los Angeles in time for the 82nd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.
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