Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance on stage at the 48th Cesar Film Awards in Paris on Friday.
Pitt gave a speech in honor of director David Fincher, this year’s Cesar recipient, with whom he collaborated on the suspense thriller Seven and Fight Club.
The distinguished award – which Pitt reportedly declined in 2020 amid mass outcry over Roman Polanski’s nominations – is France’s highest accolade in the cinema world.
As reported by Variety, Cesar Academy praised the director, writing, “Fincher is one of those rare filmmakers whose entire filmography has become cult over the years.”
The French organization described his films as “hypnotic, intellectual and a source of inspiration for so many artists.”
In honor of a friend: Brad Pitt looked dapper as he made a surprise appearance on stage at the 48th Cesar Film Awards in Paris on Friday
France’s highest film award: Pitt gave a speech in honor of director David Fincher, this year’s Cesar recipient, with whom Pitt collaborated on the suspense thriller Seven and Fight Club
The organization added: “He shocked us with Seven, kept us on the edge with The Game and hit us again with Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network, Gone Girl, which is his biggest movie success to date, or with Mank (his Oscar-nominated Netflix drama about the screenwriter of Citizen Kane), he breaks the usual codes and garners rave international reviews.’
In February 2020, the entire board of the ‘French Oscars’ resigned just two weeks before the gala ceremony, amid a furious row over Polanski’s inclusion.
It was then reported that Pitt turned down the offer of an honorary Cesar, thinking it would be better to stay away from the controversial show,
The Cesar Academy came under fire after Polanski’s new film An Officer And A Spy topped the list of nominations.
Polanski has been wanted in the US since 1978 for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl and is shunned in Hollywood. He launched the new film in France in 2019, just days after a French actress accused him of raping her during a skiing holiday in 1975, when she was 18.
In December, Pitt’s company Plan B was acquired by Paris-based group Mediawan.
He founded Plan B in 2001 with his now ex-wife Jennifer Aniston and his then-manager Brad Gray, who died in 2017. With Brad becoming the sole owner after he and Aniston divorced.
Acclaimed: As reported by Variety, Cesar Academy praised the director, writing, ‘Fincher is one of those rare filmmakers whose entire filmography has become cult over the years’
Iconic: Fincher directed Pitt in the 1999 classic Fight Club
Colorful speech: The Cesar Academy described Fincher’s films as “hypnotic, intellectual and an inspiration to so many artists”
On stage: Pitt is pictured with Virginie Efira on stage
According to Page sixPitt wants to establish himself on the business front while stepping away from his Hollywood business ventures and aiming for a “relaxed life” after 30 years in the spotlight.
The actor, 59, is said to be trying out “semi-retirement” after selling a huge stake in his production company.
A source told the publication, “Brad has decided he wants to live a peaceful life going forward and is deciding what semi-retirement looks like for him.”
“One thing he has decided is that he will probably continue to act, but he will stay away from other business ventures,” they added.
Wow: Pitt looked enthralled as he watched Fincher deliver his acceptance speech
In February 2020, the entire board of the ‘French Oscars’ resigned just two weeks before the gala ceremony amid a furious row over the inclusion of Roman Polanski (pictured).
While another explained that the Babylon actor is considering leaving Hollywood and wants to move to France to do his vineyard and art and make furniture, they added that he wants to live in peace.
Brad co-owns the Château Miraval wine estate with ex-wife Angelina Jolie and runs businesses from the property.
In September, it was announced that Angelina’s former company was suing the actor for $250 million over a business dispute.
Nouvel LLC’s mutual complaint is a legal blow after Pitt sued Jolie, alleging she illegally sold her interest in Chateau Miraval, a French chateau and wine brand.
