Jodie Foster Reflects on Six Decades in Cinema at Marrakech Film Festival After Martin Scorsese Surprises Her With Video Message: ‘My Greatest Success in Life Is Being Happy’
Jodie Foster was honored with a tribute award at the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday, where she gave a touching speech in which she reminisced on her six decades in cinema.
After a reel played showing some of her most famous roles, including “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Panic Room,” Foster graciously accepted her trophy on stage.
“Watching all these clips, I thought to myself: I’ve been doing this job for quite a while now,” Foster said, after picking up the award from the hands of Bong Joon Ho and joking that she was going to ask him for an autograph. “I started in the 1960s, then I was lucky enough to experience the golden age of cinema in the 1970s. Then came the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and now we’re back in the 1970s again.”
Foster added, “It’s been a very long time indeed. And yet, it’s gone by in the blink of an eye. And here I am, a little older, perhaps a little freaked out, but guided by the same love of storytelling, of bringing characters to life, of asking questions about our connections, our fragilities, our humanity.”
She ended her speech on a gracious note, saying that her “greatest success in life is being happy.”
“And really, even in a very silly way, I am deeply happy,” she said. “And as the movie said, life is beautiful.”
Before Foster accepted the award, her “Taxi Driver” director, Martin Scorsese, surprised her with a video message during the ceremony. “I want to congratulate you on this honor tonight in Marrakech. I only wish I could be there. You’re such an important part of my work and my career,” he said. “There’s a joy in your work that you’ve created since before you could walk, actually … I’ll never forget the memory of you walking into my office at 8 or 9 years old and having more pull than anyone else in the studio at the time.”
The two-time Oscar winner was on hand at the Moroccan fest to introduce her latest film, “A Private Life,” directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, who was also in attendance. In the French comedy thriller, which world premiered at Venice Film Festival earlier this year, Foster plays a Parisian psychiatrist whose life is upended by the death of one of her patients. Convinced that her patient was murdered, she launches her own investigation into the matter with the help of her ex-husband.
This marks Foster’s first appearance at Marrakech Film Festival, which kicked off on Friday night with a slew of stars in attendance. “Parasite” filmmaker Bong is serving as the president of this year’s jury, alongside big names including “Wednesday” star Jenna Ortega, “Furiosa” lead Anya Taylor-Joy and “Past Lives” director Celine Song.
Speaking with Variety on the red carpet ahead of the opening ceremony, festival head Melita Toscan du Plantier said Foster, who arrived a few days ago, “loves Morocco and wants to come back on vacation.”
“She’s very shy and she’s not much of a red carpet person, but she’s thrilled to be here and we’re very happy to have her,” Toscan du Plantier added.
“Frankenstein” director Guillermo del Toro is also being honored at the festival with a tribute award next week. He and Foster will both participate in conversations at the fest, as will “The Secret Agent” filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer, “The Matrix” star Laurence Fishburne, “It Was Just an Accident” Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi and “Blonde” director Andrew Dominik.
After a reel played showing some of her most famous roles, including “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Panic Room,” Foster graciously accepted her trophy on stage.
“Watching all these clips, I thought to myself: I’ve been doing this job for quite a while now,” Foster said, after picking up the award from the hands of Bong Joon Ho and joking that she was going to ask him for an autograph. “I started in the 1960s, then I was lucky enough to experience the golden age of cinema in the 1970s. Then came the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and now we’re back in the 1970s again.”
Foster added, “It’s been a very long time indeed. And yet, it’s gone by in the blink of an eye. And here I am, a little older, perhaps a little freaked out, but guided by the same love of storytelling, of bringing characters to life, of asking questions about our connections, our fragilities, our humanity.”
She ended her speech on a gracious note, saying that her “greatest success in life is being happy.”
“And really, even in a very silly way, I am deeply happy,” she said. “And as the movie said, life is beautiful.”
Before Foster accepted the award, her “Taxi Driver” director, Martin Scorsese, surprised her with a video message during the ceremony. “I want to congratulate you on this honor tonight in Marrakech. I only wish I could be there. You’re such an important part of my work and my career,” he said. “There’s a joy in your work that you’ve created since before you could walk, actually … I’ll never forget the memory of you walking into my office at 8 or 9 years old and having more pull than anyone else in the studio at the time.”
The two-time Oscar winner was on hand at the Moroccan fest to introduce her latest film, “A Private Life,” directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, who was also in attendance. In the French comedy thriller, which world premiered at Venice Film Festival earlier this year, Foster plays a Parisian psychiatrist whose life is upended by the death of one of her patients. Convinced that her patient was murdered, she launches her own investigation into the matter with the help of her ex-husband.
This marks Foster’s first appearance at Marrakech Film Festival, which kicked off on Friday night with a slew of stars in attendance. “Parasite” filmmaker Bong is serving as the president of this year’s jury, alongside big names including “Wednesday” star Jenna Ortega, “Furiosa” lead Anya Taylor-Joy and “Past Lives” director Celine Song.
Speaking with Variety on the red carpet ahead of the opening ceremony, festival head Melita Toscan du Plantier said Foster, who arrived a few days ago, “loves Morocco and wants to come back on vacation.”
“She’s very shy and she’s not much of a red carpet person, but she’s thrilled to be here and we’re very happy to have her,” Toscan du Plantier added.
“Frankenstein” director Guillermo del Toro is also being honored at the festival with a tribute award next week. He and Foster will both participate in conversations at the fest, as will “The Secret Agent” filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer, “The Matrix” star Laurence Fishburne, “It Was Just an Accident” Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi and “Blonde” director Andrew Dominik.