Michael Douglas to Be Celebrated at Italy’s Taormina Film Festival Where Restored ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ Copy Will Screen (EXCLUSIVE)

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Michael Douglas is set to receive a lifetime achievement award at Taormina Film Festival, Italy, where a new version of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the iconic New Hollywood film he produced and won multiple Oscars, will be shown in the festival’s 8,000-seat open-air Greek amphitheater.

At the age of 31, Douglas, along with Saul Zaentz, was involved in the creation of a Miloš Forman-directed drama featuring Jack Nicholson. This movie, titled “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” won all significant Oscars in 1975 – best picture, director, actor, actress, and screenplay. Now, Douglas is planning to visit the Sicilian seaside resort for its grand opening on June 10. The revamped version of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” will be screened in Taormina to mark the film’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Apart from the award ceremony and film screening, Douglas is additionally scheduled to conduct a workshop for film students at Taormina as well.

We are thrilled and honored to share that Michael Douglas will grace us as our special guest on the first night of the Taormina Film Festival,” said Tiziana Rocca, the festival’s artistic director, in a statement. Rocca further lauded Douglas, calling him “a legendary figure in global cinema, an exceptional actor and producer,” who has left indelible impressions on generations with his remarkable performances and relentless dedication to improving cinematic craft.

In addition, my admiration for him is not just professional; it’s deeply personal as well,” Rocca, a renowned figure in marketing, remarked. “I can still recall vividly and with fondness the night I arranged an event in Rome to celebrate his father Kirk.

In this upcoming event at Taormina, the esteemed filmmaker Martin Scorsese is expected to grace our presence. He will be awarded a career recognition prize and we’ll have the privilege of watching a restored version of his 1976 masterpiece “Taxi Driver” in the ancient Greek amphitheater under the open sky.

Notable attendees throughout the years encompass figures like Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Steven Spielberg, Federico Fellini, Pedro Almodóvar, and Tom Cruise.

This year’s jury will be led by Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who won an Oscar for her role in “The Holdovers,” according to previous announcements made about Taormina. Meanwhile, the out-of-competition opening film is the “John Wick” spinoff titled “Ballerina,” with director Len Wiseman and actor Norman Reedus involved.

The 71st edition of Taormina will run June 10-14.

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2025-05-26 14:17