Priscilla Presley Wipes Away Tears at Elvis Premiere in Cannes
Priscilla, 77, has previously spoken out in strong support of the new Baz Luhrmann film based on the life of her late ex-husband, Elvis Presley
Priscilla Presley got emotional while joining the filmmaking team behind the new Elvis biopic at the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival Wednesday.
During the enthusiastic and extended applause at the end of the film, Presley, 77, hugged director Baz Luhrmann while wiping away tears.
They were also joined by the film’s stars Austin Butler — who plays Elvis — along with Tom Hanks and Olivia DeJonge, with everyone embracing one another as the applause continued well after the lights came up.
The group remained close-knit for much of the evening, while walking the red carpet ahead of the film, as well as at the afterparty.
Priscilla Presley got emotional while joining the filmmaking team behind the new Elvis biopic at the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival Wednesday.
During the enthusiastic and extended applause at the end of the film, Presley, 77, hugged director Baz Luhrmann while wiping away tears.
They were also joined by the film’s stars Austin Butler — who plays Elvis — along with Tom Hanks and Olivia DeJonge, with everyone embracing one another as the applause continued well after the lights came up.
The group remained close-knit for much of the evening, while walking the red carpet ahead of the film, as well as at the afterparty.
“I really believe that we would come to Cannes with this film, but then COVID came, and the film was shut down, and it was never going to happen,” Luhrmann, 59, said.
“But for the bravery of Tom to come back, and the bravery of his cast, and this crew, to go on through COVID, and to finish this film… and we are back in Cannes,” he continued.
“And to see these streets so full of people who love movies, of every form of life, of every background, and every kind of movie says so much more about what this place means, and what it means to be back in the cinema. So for that we are eternally grateful, Cannes. All I can say is merci beaucoup, merci beaucoup.”
Priscilla has previously sung her praises of the new film recounting the meteoric rise of her late musician husband, saying during the Met Gala red carpet earlier this month, “I think it’s a movie for everyone.”
“Even the people who’ve heard stories about Elvis before, they’re gonna learn something,” she added.
On Instagram days later, she reiterated her feelings, writing alongside a trailer for the film, “I’ve seen Elvis the film, I watched the trailer over a dozen times.”
View this post on Instagram
“But the words I heard from my daughter [Lisa Marie Presley] on how much she loved the film and that [granddaughter] Riley will love it too when she sees it brought tears,” she added.
“I relived every moment in this film. It took me a few days to overcome the emotions as it did with Lisa. Beautifully done Baz, Tom, Austin and Olivia.”
Elvis, also starring Stranger Things’ Dacre Montgomery and Power of the Dog’s Kodi Smit-McPhee, arrives in theaters June 24.[via]
