Cannes 2024: George Lucas receives Honorary Palme d’Or from dear friend Francis Ford Coppola

The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival culminated on Saturday with the awarding of an Honorary Palme d’Or to George Lucas, legendary filmmaker and the creator of the Star Wars franchise

After much fanfare, the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival culminated on Saturday with the awarding of an Honorary Palme d’Or to George Lucas, legendary filmmaker and the creator of the Star Wars franchise.

Presented by Lucas’ longtime friend, collaborator and famed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, the award followed a thunderous five-minute standing ovation from the audience. “Congratulations George, not only are your many friends and I proud of you, but the whole world of cinema is too,” Deadline quoted Coppola as he handed over the award to his friend.

Lucas expressed his appreciation for the recognition, acknowledging his extensive history with the festival. His debut film, THX-1138, screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section in 1971.

Notably, Coppola, whose film Megalopolis also premiered at Cannes this year, served as a producer on THX-1138, a film that played quite a popular role in why Lucas persuaded Coppola to take up an offer to make The Godfather. Their collaboration continued with Lucas directing and writing the critically acclaimed American Graffiti (1973).

The history between these lifelong friends goes way back to 1968 when the two met on the sets of Coppola’s Finian’s Rainbow. “Pleased to have someone in my own generation, I suggested he come every day, but only on one condition: That he come up with a brilliant suggestion every day, which he consistently did. And with that began an association that has lasted a lifetime,” Coppola said on Saturday, reminiscing about the meeting. “And he went on and on, making film history, story history, business history and now history in France.”

Coppola also recollected how Lucas went on to do Star Wars after his proposal for a Flash Gordon film adaptation was rejected. “He looked at me and he said, ‘Well, I’ll make my own movie, I’ll call it “Star Battles” or “Star Wars” or something.’ And so he did, and in the process, risked everything he had to make it. Congratulations George, not only am I and your many friends proud of you, but the world is here, proud to honor you.”

While accepting the award, Lucas said, “I can’t thank all of you enough because I’m just a kid that grew up in a vineyard in Modesto, California, who makes movies in San Francisco with Francis. I’ve actually never made a film in Hollywood as a director, so it’s a real honour to be here,” he concluded.