Catherine Deneuve cancels Febiofest appearances

French actress Catherine Deneuve has canceled her appearances at Febiobest due to health reasons.

French-Armenian singer, composer and actor Charles Aznavour, who appeared in the film 1960 classic New Wave film Shoot the Piano Player, will receive the Kristián award at the film festival’s opening ceremony instead. The singer will be giving a concert in Prague on March 16 at the Congress Center.

The 25th edition of the Prague International Film Festival – Febiofest starts March 15 and will run to March 22, with most screenings at CineStar Anděl.

This festival will be launched March 15 at the Municipal House (Obecní dům) with The Party by UK director Sally Potter. The British drama features Kristin Scott Thomas, Timothy Spall, Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer and Cillian Murphy.

Catherine Deneuve fell ill just before the start of Febiofest. "Catherine Deneuve’s agent told us that a few hours before boarding the plane Deneuve’s physician did not recommend traveling by plane. We agreed with the agent that she would inform us about Catherine's situation and if it was possible, we would like to welcome her to Prague at any time during the festival.” Febiofest spokeswoman Gabriela Vágner said.

Catherine Deneuve was to take part in the opening ceremony and receive the Kristián Award for Lifetime Contribution to Cinematography. She also was supposed to on March 16 introduce the film The Christmas Story by director Arnaud Desplechin, who will be also be a guest of the festival.

Charles Aznavour has a very extensive filmography aside from his musical career.”We are very pleased that such a legend will participate in our festival. We are looking forward to Mr. Aznavour at the Municipal House in the evening and we hope a little bit that when he is on the stage to receive the Kristián award, he will even sing to us,” Febiofest director Kamil Spáčil said.

Aside from François Truffaut’s Shoot the Piano Player, Aznavour has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows and TV movies such as the 1974 version of And Then There Were None, the Oscar-winning film The Tin Drum and Claude Chabrol’s The Hatter’s Ghost. He also appeared in the 1968 film Candy with Marlon Brando and Richard Burton.

Aside from acting, he has written scores specifically for films, and his recorded songs also appear in over 100 films and TV shows.