The Thessaloniki Film Festival welcomed two of the most prolific stars of contemporary cinema, radiant Juliette Binoche and gifted Ralph Fiennes, on Friday, November 1st, at Olympion theater. The two renowned actors received the Festival’s honorary Golden Alexander award prior to the screening of the monumental film The English Patient (1996), which marked their second collaboration and garnered Juliette Binoche an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and Ralph Fiennes a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. On Saturday, November 2nd, the audience of the 65th TIFF will have the opportunity to enjoy the new film starring Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes, The Return, in a screening that will be attended by both the film's stars as well as director, Uberto Pasolini.
The audience was welcomed in the packed Olympion theater by the General Director of the Festival, Elise Jalladeau, and the Artistic Director, Orestis Andreadakis, prefacing the evening’s two guests. “Good evening to you all. Tonight, we are gathered here to welcome and honor two outstanding artists. Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes are not just great actors: they are two courageous explorers of human feelings, pioneers of their art, genuine narrators of unique stories. Juliette Binoche is one-of-a-kind. In Three Colors: Blue by Krzysztof Kieślowski, she haunted us in the role of a woman who struggles with an unbearable grief, in Chocolat by Lasse Hallström, she lit up the screen with her charm and depth. In The Lovers on the Bridge by Léos Carax, she proved once again her daring as an actress. From Michael Haneke to Abbas Kiarostami, and from Jean-Luc Godard to David Cronenberg, Juliette Binoche has worked alongside some of the most iconic film directors of our times, not as a muse at they use to say, but as equal creator and fellow traveler in their journey, helping their films to rise to the height of true masterpieces,” they initially said, singing the praises of Juliette Binoche.
“Ralph Fiennes is an actor who finds a way to live and breathe inside of every role while getting immersed within its realm, in a rich and fascinating career. From his disturbing presence in Schindler’s List all the way to the subtle comic vein he displayed in The Grand Budapest Hotel, his gamut is immense and his interpretations are nothing short of spectacular. Through constant transformations, Ralph Fiennes left his mark and added weight in different cinematic worlds, from his role as ominous Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise to his suave severity as M in the James Bond series. Each and every time the two of them have teamed up, Juliette and Ralph have offered us unforgettable moments on the big screen. They first joined forces in the movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights in 1992, and they met up again in the film The Return by Uberto Pasolini, an out-of-the-box film adaptation of Odyssey’s last rhapsody. And, maybe above all, in The English Patient they created one of the most timeless and legendary love stories ever to be seen in cinema. Their on-screen chemistry, their ability to bring forth the complexity of their inner worlds, transformed the film into a gem that keeps on touching us today and will continue to do so forever. So, tonight, we honor you both, Juliette and Ralph, for your unparalleled art, for your braveness and devotion, for the rich tapestry of characters you have introduced us through cinema. We thank you for the magic, the depth, the humanity you breathe into your art,” they concluded.
A short video featuring some of the most iconic moments in the two actors' rich careers followed, right before Elise Jalladeau and Orestis Andreadakis invited Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes to the stage, amidst a cheering applause from the Olympion audience. Ralph Fiennes was the first to take the floor, giving an emotional speech. “I’m very grateful and honored to be here, alongside this wonderful woman. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to talk about her here, thank you for this. Primarily, I want to thank Juliette. Working with her is a kind of dream. She’s an extraordinary artist to spend your time with. She’s a great woman. She channels a very unusual and unique energy. She’s inspirational to work with. She gives in a way I have not experienced with any other actor. As you can see, I’m full of emotion, I love her very much,” Ralph Fiennes said, warmly lauded by the audience.
The floor was then taken by Juliette Binoche, who first thanked the Thessaloniki Film Festival, Elise Jalladeau and Orestis Andreadakis. “Your skies and seas are an inspiration. In my life, and in our lives, your words and thoughts, Sophocles, Homer, your great philosophers and your saints – especially the Saint Paisios – are feeding my path and heart. Thank you for what you give to the world. I had the most amazing day today in Thessaloniki. Visiting your monasteries, walking in your streets. Feeling your stones and trees, eating your bread, fish and vegetables, and admiring your Byzantine treasures. What a beautiful journey,” Juliette Binoche initially noted.
“I wish the best for the Festival. I wish for many more years of great films and people coming to the movie theaters, because it really makes a difference. Today is a very special day because I’m sharing this ‘wedding’ prize with you, Ralph. We are very lucky human beings. We have a common ground, acting and not only. A place to transform, a place to show how a wound can become a joy, a frustration may become courage, fear can be a peaceful home. My friend Ralph, I wish you to experience a true ‘homecoming’ to the most joyful and intimate truth of yourself. You know what I mean by that. Acting with you is a reward in itself and fills up my heart and mind, so much. It feels like I know you, and yet I want to discover you. You are a mystery full of contradictions, and yet that is exactly why I love you. When we act together, we have nowhere to hide. So, showing ourselves is always the best choice,” concluded Juliette Binoche in a state of emotion, receiving a standing ovation.
