John Travolta was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of his directorial debut Friday.
Thierry Frémaux, the festival’s artistic director, brought out the award for Travolta just before the screening of his “Propeller One-Way Night Coach.” A visibly moved Travolta clutched his chest while Frémaux presented the trophy.
Clad in a white beret, Travolta walked the Cannes red carpet with his 26-year-old daughter Ella Bleu Travolta. The actor wrote, directed and co-produced “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” based on his own 1997 children’s novel.
Cannes has sometimes previously surprised guests with an honorary Palme d’Or. It unexpectedly gave one to Tom Cruise in 2022. At this year’s festival, the “Lord of the Rings” filmmaker Peter Jackson was given one in the opening ceremony. Barbara Streisand is to receive one later during the festival.
