Michael Caine, the legendary actor with a career that spanned eight decades, made an appearance at the fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival, where he received an honorary award. Vin Diesel wheeled the 92-year-old actor in and gave an emotional speech about his legacy. Caine followed it up with a speech of his own.
Michael Caine delivers emotional speech after winning award at film festival
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival’s fifth edition saw a star-studded red carpet, where many actors like Riz Ahmed, Naomie Harris, Dakota Johnson, Uma Thurman, Ana de Armas, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Alba, Queen Latifah, and Nina Dobrev all made appearances.
Michael Caine, the two-time Academy Award winner, also made an appearance to receive an honorary award at the festival. He was wheeled in by Vin Diesel, who worked with Caine on The Last Witch Hunter in 2015.
At the opening ceremony, Diesel presented Caine with the honorary award. The Fast and Furious star said (via The Independent), “Tonight is more special for me personally because I’ve been asked to recognise someone who you all know as one of the best actors who’s ever lived.” He added, “He’s been somebody that, as Uma Thurman said, could play character roles or main roles, and all the while has more charisma in his finger than most people in Hollywood.”
Michael Caine received the award and followed it up with a heartfelt speech. “Thank you for the welcome. My name is Michael Caine,” he began to great applause. “It’s not my real name but it’s a realistic name. It’s the one that made all the money. I was born a cockney in London, which is very poor working-class, and I grew up to be what I am which is, well, I am not multiple rich, but I’ve got enough money for an evening out, even an evening in,” he said.
The Dark Knight star continued, “I’m here to get an award, which doesn’t surprise me. I won two Oscars.” “I have a fabulous family that I adore beyond belief. I’ve had a fairly fabulous movie family, some who’ve let me down, and I love them beyond belief, including the failures. I kept going until I was 90, which is two years ago. I’m not going to do anything else, I’ve had all the luck I can get.”
He added, “And one of the luckiest things is tonight. I’m just so happy to be here. I’ve seen it on television but never won anything here, so I’m happy. I want to thank you for the surprise, because in show business you don’t get many surprises, you get a couple of shocks, and that’s about it.”
With more than 130 films and numerous accolades, Michael Caine is one of the most prominent actors in history. His last film role came in The Great Escaper in 2023, following which he retired.
Originally reported by Sourav Chakraborty on Mandatory
