Viola Davis to be honoured with Cannes Women In Motion Award

 

by IANS |

Los Angeles, May 10 (IANS) Actor and producer Viola Davis will be honoured with the 2022 Women In Motion Award bestowed by Kering Group and the Cannes Film Festival.

Davis currently appears on screen in the Showtime series 'The First Lady', where she plays Michelle Obama. She recently published her autobiography, 'Finding Me', written during lockdown, that recounts her childhood experiences in an underprivileged environment in Saint Matthews, S.C, reports 'Variety'.

The book, which has rapidly become a bestseller, also highlights harassment and abuse faced by the most disadvantaged people in society.

Accordingly, Davis was praised by the award's organisers both "for her acting roles and her commitment to the rights of women and minorities", they said, calling her in a statement "one of the most influential American actresses and producers of her time".

"Her talent, hard work, choice of roles and the way she interprets them have earned her the very highest recognitions in the film industry," the statement underlined.

It noted that Davis "is one of the few Hollywood personalities to have won a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, four SAG Awards, and what Hollywood calls the Triple Crown of Acting: two Tony Awards, an Oscar and an Emmy, for her roles in the stage play 'King Hedley II', in 'Fences' and its remarkable film adaptation, and in the TV series 'How to Get Away with Murder'.

This record makes her the only African-American actress to have received so many nominations and awards for her roles in theater, television and film, it went on to point out.

As a committed activist Davis has repeatedly called out the blatant lack of diversity in the film industry, whether in production, writing or directing, "which remains a very powerful brake on equality", the award's organisers added.

Francois-Henri Pinault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kering; Pierre Lescure, President of the Festival de Cannes; and Thierry Fremaux, Executive Director of the Festival de Cannes, will present the award to Davis during the official Women In Motion dinner in Cannes on May 22.

Previous recipients of this prize include Jane Fonda in 2015, Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in 2016, Isabelle Huppert in 2017, Patty Jenkins in 2018, Gong Li in 2019 and Salma Hayek in 2021.

Latest Cinema Updates
Camila Cabello believes ‘artistry’ is more important than ‘songs’ Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 12:01 PM
Allu Arjun gets wax statue at Madame Tussauds Museum in Dubai Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 11:54 AM
‘E. N. G. A. G. E. D.’ - Aditi Rao Hydari confirms union with Siddharth Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 11:50 AM
Loose clothes don't mean I'm pregnant: Parineeti disses baby rumours Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 11:49 AM
Adah Sharma’s fitness mantra: Workouts should always be fun, best with friends Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 11:48 AM
'12th Fail' actress Medha Shankr: Don’t think I am an overnight sensation Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 11:47 AM
Cardi B reveals finding clothes that fit her curves is 'not easy' Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 11:46 AM
Shreyas Talpade, Vijay Raaz-starrer 'Kartam Bhugtam' juggles astrology and karma Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 02:25 PM
Japanese DOP Keiko Nakahara onboards Anupam Kher directorial 'Tanvi The Great' Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 02:16 PM
Raveena Tandon reveals she is best friends with her children Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 02:13 PM
Sunny Leone explains how 'MTV Splitsvilla X5’ connects with modern dating practices Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 01:56 PM
Munawar Faruqui released after being detained for smoking hookah Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 12:45 PM
Ram Charan seeks Lord Venkateswara's blessings at Tirupati with wife on birthday Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 12:39 PM
Sai Tamhankar talks about working with ‘phenomenal actors’ in ‘Ground Zero’, ‘Agni’ Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 12:00 PM
Banita Sandhu begins shoot in Bhuj for Adivi Sesh-starrer 'G2' Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 11:57 AM
Kareena aka Jasmine shares BTS pics ahead of 'Crew' release Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 11:50 AM
Ram Charan drops ‘Game Changer’ song ‘Jaragandi’ on his 39th birthday Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 11:48 AM
Aalim Hakim to ‘super duper’ Ram Charan: Happiest birthday to the most amazing soul Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 11:40 AM
Ranbir Kapoor practises archery, poses with coach for upcoming 'Ramayana' film Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 03:41 PM
'Tried to bowl as many dot balls as possible vs RCB,' says Punjab Kings' spinner Harpreet Brar Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 03:18 PM