Hollywood star George Clooney received an honorary Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival ‘s opening ceremony and used his time on stage to deliver a moving speech about the importance of stories and human empathy.
George Clooney honoured at Venice Film Festival
Dern called Clooney as one of her oldest and closest friends and invited his other friends and collaborators, including Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, Steven Soderbegh, CAA partner and his longtime agent of 25 years, Bryan Lourd, Alexander Payne and Noah Baumbach to speak for the actor, reported Variety. George Clooney first attended the Venice Film Festival in 1998 for Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight. Clooney attended the movie gala with his wife, Amal Clooney , and close friend Laura Dern, who presented him with the honour. When Clooney’s time came to speak, he referenced the current political climate to emphasise the importance of stories. The actor also joked about getting a lifetime award in his speech. “You know, when they tell you that you’re gonna be getting a lifetime achievement award, there are really two things that come to mind. The first is what an incredible honour this is. And then the second is do they know something that I don’t? Over the years, the actor-filmmaker has brought Michael Clayton, the Coen Bros’ Burn After Reading, Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity, as well as his directorial projects like Good Night and Good Luck to the festival.
Clooney said he’s learned a lot over the years by coming to places like Venice and experiencing world cinema.
Clooney said he has been an actor for 45 years, and while it all looks intentional in retrospect, his career unfolded while he was trying to pay the rent.
