Barbra Streisand is speaking out after canceling her appearance at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where she was set to receive the honorary Palme.
“I was mesmerized by those images on the screen,” the iconic singer, 84, said via virtual message, per Variety. “They were so powerful that they’re still in my head. I wanted to be an actress and live in those other more interesting worlds.”
Streisand explained that she later realized she was always “looking at the movie as a whole” and asking a lot of questions.
“I didn’t realize at the time, but I was thinking like a director. Trying to figure out how to tell the story. And I had stories I wanted to tell,” she said, recalling her directorial debut with 1981’s Yentl.
She continued, “I was a woman, which was an obstacle to people. Even worse, was an actress who wanted to direct. So every studio turned me down. And for 15 years the project was on the verge of collapsing. But I had to make this movie.”
For Streisand, her desire to make Yentl is something she has in common with the filmmakers at Cannes.
“In this crazy volatile world that seems more fractured every day, it’s reassuring to see the compelling movies at this festival, by artists from many countries,” she concluded. “Film has that magical ability to unite us, opening our hearts and mind. I’m so proud to be part of this community, so merci beaucoup and vive la cinema!”
Days prior, Streisand explained her absence in a Sunday, May 17, statement.
“On the advice of my doctors, as I continue recovering from a knee injury, I am sadly unable to attend the Festival de Cannes this year,” she said in a statement on Sunday. “But I am deeply honored to receive the honorary Palme d’Or and had so been looking forward to celebrating the remarkable films of the 79th edition,” Streisand wrote.
She continued, “I was also very much looking forward to spending time with colleagues whom I so admire — and, of course, returning to France, a place I have always loved. While I regret that I can’t be there in person, I want to extend my warmest congratulations to all of the filmmakers from around the world whose extraordinary talent and creative vision are being celebrated this year. My heartfelt thanks to the Festival, and to everyone who continues to support and champion the art of cinema.”
