Barbra Streisand was one of three stars to be awarded a prestigious Palm D’or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival but failed to attend the ceremony in person
Barbra Streisand has worried fans after her unusual appearance at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The Hollywood legend, 84, was one of three stars to be awarded a prestigious Palm D’or at the iconic event in France, but failed to attend the star-studded ceremony in person.
Shortly before the glitzy gala, the Memories star released a statement saying she was unable to attend on doctor’s orders due to a knee injury, immediately sparking fresh fears about the notoriously private star’s health.
Sharing her disappointment, Barbra, who had been expected to go to France – but instead appeared at the festival via video link – said: “On the advice of my doctors, as I continue recovering from a knee injury, I am sadly unable to attend the Festival de Cannes this year.”
Barbra continued: “But I am deeply honoured to receive the honorary Palme d’Or and had so been looking forward to celebrating the remarkable films of the 79th edition.
“I was also very much looking forward to spending time with colleagues whom I so admire – and, of course, returning to France, a place I have always loved.”
She signed off: “While I regret that I can’t be there in person, I want to extend my warmest congratulations to all of the filmmakers from around the world whose extraordinary talent and creative vision are being celebrated this year.”
The much-loved star did not elaborate on how or when she injured her knee or the severity. Barbra’s last public appearance was a surprise slot at the Oscars earlier this year, where she appeared onstage to deliver an in memoriam tribute to her late The Way We Were co-star Robert Redford, who died in September 2025 at the age of 89.
Choosing to appear via video link at Cannes, the Oscar winner revealed that she had fallen in love with foreign films thanks to a cinema near her school, which showed black and white classics starring the likes of Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini.
Admitting she wanted to live in “more interesting worlds”, Barbra said: “I was mesmerised by those images on the screen. They were so powerful that they’re still in my head. I wanted to be an actress and live in those other more interesting worlds.”
Barbra continued to make her mark as an actress before turning her hand to directing, beginning with her 1981 debut film Yentl.
Admitting the project was difficult to get made, she said her ‘passion’ was something she no doubt shared with other filmmakers at Cannes.
“I was a woman, which was an obstacle to people, Barbra said, before adding: £Even worse, was an actress who wanted to direct. So every studio turned me down. And for 15 years the project was on the verge of collapsing. But I had to make this movie.
“In this crazy volatile world that seems more fractured every day, it’s reassuring to see the compelling movies at this festival, by artists from many countries.
“Film has that magical ability to unite us, opening our hearts and mind. I’m so proud to be part of this community, so merci beaucoup and vive le cinéma!”
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