Deneuve on European film, age

French actress Catherine Deneuve will be the guest of honor at the Hawai’i European Cinema Film Festival, which opens today with one of her classic films, "Repulsion."

She will receive the Christina Hassell Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival’s awards gala, Oct. 23 at the Moana Surfrider. The European Cinema gala features a red carpet at the portico of the Moana Surfrider that has drawn crowds of spectators in recent years, with onlookers craning to catch a glimpse of celebrities and guests in black tie and gowns.

The 71-year-old actor has been lighting up screens since the age of 13. She’s known for a variety of roles, including in Luis Bunuel’s "Belle de Jour" and Regis Wargnier’s epic drama "Indochine."

Deneuve’s newest film, "Standing Tall," in which she plays a compassionate judge in juvenile court, will be the festival’s closing selection. The Oct. 24 screening will be followed by a short Q&A session.

In advance of her appearance — Deneuve’s first visit to Hawaii — she answered some questions from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, via email.

Question: Please help me explain European cinema to readers who may not be familiar with it or understand it clearly: What makes European cinema unique?

A: Its style, lightness in comedies. More improvisation. … It may be less puritan.

Q: You’ve been described as a standard-bearer for older actresses, paving the way for a greater acceptance of stories told through their eyes. What does age allow you to bring to a part?

A: The weight of the past. Life and roles.

Q: What do you think your Hawaii audience will enjoy most about "Standing Tall" and your part in it?

A: It’s a positive story, with strong relations, not too conventional, between an adult and an adolescent.

Q: Do you have a role/film that makes you smile when you think of it? Do you have a favorite, or is that unfair to make you chose one?

A: Yes: "Le Sauvage," because it’s a pure comedy.

Q: Having been in 121 films, one could argue that you’ve played nearly everything. But what kind of role is on your wish list?

A: A woman in love.

Q: How did  Hawai’i European Cinema convince you to come to Hawaii? And when you were told the festival would present you with a lifetime achievement award, what did you think?

A: It’s a pleasure and a duty to represent European cinema. It’s a pleasure to travel! My agent said, "Accept the lifetime achievement award, before is too late."