the glamorous and fiercely independent star of one of the greatest films ever made, Alfred Hitchcock鈥檚 鈥淰ertigo,鈥� will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at the this fall.
Festival organizers said Monday that they will also host the world premiere of Alexandre Philippe鈥檚 documentary 鈥淜im Novak鈥檚 Vertigo,鈥� which was made in collaboration with the actor.
Alberto Barbera, the festival鈥檚 artistic director, said that the award, 鈥渃elebrates a star who was emancipated, a rebel at the heart of Hollywood who illuminated the dreams of movie lovers before retiring to her ranch in Oregon to dedicate herself to painting and to her horses.鈥�
Novak, who is 92, left her Hollywood career behind long ago. But in recent years she has occasionally granted interviews around significant film anniversaries and made public appearances. After presenting at the 2014 Oscars many online, including Donald Trump, insulted her appearance. She responded with an open letter writing, 鈥淚 will no longer hold myself back from speaking out against bullies."
Earlier this year actor Sydney Sweeney paid homage to Novak on the Met Gala red carpet. She's portraying Novak in a new film directed by Colman Domingo about her relationship with Rat Packer Sammy Davis Jr.
Of this latest honor, Novak said she is 鈥渄eeply touched鈥� to receive the award.
鈥淭o be recognized for my body of work at this time in my life is a dream come true,鈥� Novak said. 鈥淚 will treasure every moment I spend in Venice. It will fill my heart with joy.鈥�
The Venice Film Festival runs from Aug. 27 through Sept. 6, but the full slate of films selected won鈥檛 be announced until late July. 鈥淭he Holdovers鈥� filmmaker Alexander Payne will preside over the main competition jury.
Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
