Tayyaba
Ewan McGregor was honored at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Saturday night, receiving the festival’s President’s Award for lifetime achievement. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the festival, and it was presented to McGregor by his daughter, Clara. In his acceptance speech, McGregor spoke about his love of cinema and his gratitude for the opportunity to work in the industry, adding playful jokes about his Czech speaking abilities.
What did Ewan McGregor say in his acceptance speech?
Ewan McGregor was welcomed to the stage with a warm reception and a career highlights reel that was met with laughter and cheers. The reel featured scenes from some of McGregor’s most iconic films, including “Star Wars,” “I Love You Phillip Morris,” and “Trainspotting.” McGregor took to the stage to a standing ovation and said that it was a dream come true to see the reel. He also joked that he had been practicing his Czech, but decided not to speak it onstage after someone heard him practice and thought he was having a medical emergency apparently calling an ambulance. McGregor thanked the audience for being there and then added, “I’m so fortunate to do what I love and love what I do.” Afterwards, he introduced his new film, “You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder,” in which he appears alongside his daughter Clara. McGregor said that acting with his daughter was a highlight of his career.
Clara McGregor then joined her father on stage and said that it was a “complete dream” to be there. She thanked director Emma Westenberg for the opportunity to work on the film. Westenberg said that Clara was “definitely her father’s daughter” and called her “incredibly talented.” The McGregors were then joined onstage by other members of the creative team, including veteran independent film producer Christine Vachon to whom the Karlovy Vary Film Festival is paying homage to this year.
“This is like a dream to see that. It was my dream as a little boy to become an actor. And that’s the thing of dreams, seeing that reel. Thank you so much for being here tonight. And it means just the world to me. I believe so much in what we do as actors. I’m so fortunate to do what I love and love what I do.”
Why was Ewan McGregor honored at KVIFF?
McGregor was honored for his long and distinguished career, which includes roles in such films as “Trainspotting,” “Moulin Rouge!”, and the “Star Wars” prequels. He is also a respected director and producer. His most recent film, “You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder,” premiered at KVIFF earlier this week and for that film he won a President’s Award. Ewan McGregor’s award is a well-deserved honor for a talented actor who is a true icon of cinema, with his work continuing to inspire and entertain audiences around the world. “Ewan McGregor is one of the most exceptional actors working today,” commented the organizers of the festival ahead of the celebration. “His extensive filmography is a unique combination of the tradition of British cinema with the grandeur of Hollywood productions.”