John Travolta Gets Cannes Award as ‘Grease’ Icon Gets Honorary Palme d’Or
John Travolta obtained a significant Cannes shock forward of the world premiere of his directorial debut “Propeller One-Way Night Coach” when the competition introduced him with an honorary Palme d’Or, which is the Cannes equal of a lifetime achievement prize. Travolta was shocked and overwhelmed by the shock honor, holding again tears whereas saying: “This is beyond the Oscar.”
“Surprise completely!” an emotional Travolta exclaimed in French as the group erupted into rapturous applause. “I can’t believe this. This is the last thing I expected.”
Turning to Cannes director Thierry Fremaux, Travolta added, “You said this would be a special night, but I didn’t know it would mean this.” Fremaux responded: “We knew!”
“This is a humbling moment, so thank you Thierry from the bottom of my heart,” Travolta continued. “When I met with you in November, I had no expectation that my film would be accepted. And when Thierry said it was not only accepted but it was making history because it would be the first film ever accepted that early, I cried like a baby because I just couldn’t believe it. Because in my opinion, you are the most discerning person in the movie. I was just happy industry to be here! I never expected this. Thank you so much.”
Travolta, who has been nominated for the most effective actor Oscar twice, attended Cannes this yr to premiere “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” his Apple-backed movie based mostly on his 1997 youngsters’s guide of the identical identify. The autobiographical household film — which he referred to as the “most personal film he’s ever done” — unfolds within the golden age of aviation as a younger airplane fanatic Jeff (Clark Shotwell) and his mom (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett) set off on a one-way, cross-country odyssey to Hollywood. The film additionally stars Travolta’s daughter, Ella Bleu Travolta.
Cannes introduced earlier than the 2026 competition began that Peter Jackson and Barbra Streisand can be receiving honorary Palme d’Or statues on the opening and shutting nights of the competition, respectively. But Cannes has gotten right into a behavior of giving out at the very least one shock honorary Palme every year, with Spike Lee getting awarded final yr forward of the world premiere of “Highest 2 Lowest.”
Travolta’s prior historical past with the Cannes Film Festival embrace screenings of “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “She’s So Lovely” (1997) and “Primary Colors” (1998). Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” gained the Palme d’Or, whereas Travolta’s co-star Sean Penn was awarded the most effective actor prize for “She’s So Lovely.”
“Propeller One-Way Night Coach” begins streaming May 29 on Apple TV.
