JEDDAH: Hollywood actor and producer Michael Douglas was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah this weekend.
The honorary award was presented by Jomana-Al Rashid, chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, during the Academy Award-winning actor’s on-stage In Conversation talk on Friday.
The honorary award is a testament to Douglas's career and enduring influence on, and contribution to, cinema during his 50 year career, according to Al-Rashid.
The honorary award was presented by Jomana-Al Rashid. (Arab News)
“We are thrilled to recognize Michael Douglas with the Red Sea International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award … (for) Douglas’s exceptional talent, dedication to his art, and for his remarkable impact on the world of entertainment,” she said.
In his acceptance speech, Douglas remarked on the festival's impact in the Arab World and Saudi Arabia.
“I am truly honored to receive this award from the Red Sea International Film Festival. It’s wonderful to be here among my fans from Saudi and the region. It is a great honor to receive this award from an organization which is dedicated to fostering the growth of films and offering a unique opportunity for aspiring filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab World, Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.”
The 80-year-old actor sat down for a conversation with TV presenter Raya Abirashid prior to receiving his award.
The actor is attending the Red Sea Film Festival with his wife and fellow actor Catherine Zeta-Jones. (Getty Images)
He told fans that it has not always been an easy path. “My first shows weren’t very good,” he admitted.
The Oscar winning actor said he has been enjoying a career break over the past two years but is still open to taking on projects that introduce him to a new genre or type of role.
Looking back at his career, Douglas said one of his few regrets was getting caught up in producing in the wake of producing 1975’s “One Flew Out Of The Cuckoo’s Nest.”
“Careful what you wish for,” he said. “I had a big production company. I financed my own movies. The producing aspect of my life sort of took over, and I would find myself in movies I was producing, and that is not a good combination,” he said.
“I would finish acting and then there would be a pile of crap, scripts that we were developing that I would then have to go through, making all my notes for them and all of that. So, the job became overwhelming. There were about 20 years in there which I could have simplified and probably enjoyed life more.”
The actor is attending the Red Sea Film Festival with his wife and fellow actor Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Throughout his career, Douglas has delivered performances in iconic films such as “Wall Street, ““Fatal Attraction,” “Basic Instinct,” “The China Syndrome,” “The Game” and “Behind The Candelabra” among others. He most recently starred in Apple TV series “Franklin.”
