Brad Pitt looks dapper on stage at the 48th Cesar Film Awards in Paris

Brad Pitt looks dapper as he presents Honorary Cesar to Fight Club director David Fincher at the 48th Cesar Film Awards in Paris – three years after ‘declining same prize’

Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance on stage at the 48th Cesar Film Awards in Paris on Friday.

Pitt gave a speech honoring director David Fincher, this year’s Honorary Cesar recipient, whom he worked with on the suspense thriller Seven and Fight Club.

The distinguished award – which Pitt reportedly refused in 2020 amid mass outrage over Roman Polanski’s award nominations –   is France’s highest honor in film.

As reported by Variety, the Cesar Academie praised the director, writing, ‘Fincher is one of these rare filmmakers whose entire filmography has become cult over the years.’

The French organization described his films as ‘hypnotic, intellectual and a source of inspiration for so many artists.’

Honoring a friend: Brad Pitt looked dapper as he made a surprise appearance on stage at the 48th Cesar Film Awards in Paris on Friday

France’s highest film honor: Pitt gave a speech honoring director David Fincher, this year’s Honorary Cesar recipient, whom Pitt worked with on the suspense thriller Seven and Fight Club

The organization added, ‘He shocked us with Seven, kept us on the edge with The Game, and struck us again with Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network, Gone Girl, which is his biggest film success so far, or with Mank (his Oscar-nominated Netflix drama about the screenwriter of Citizen Kane), he breaks the usual codes and garners raving international reviews.’

In February 2020 the entire board of the ‘French Oscars’  resigned just two weeks ahead of the gala ceremony amid an angry row over Polanski’s inclusion. 

It was then reported Pitt declined the offer of an Honorary Cesar as he believed it would be better to stay away from the controversial show, 

The Cesar Academy came under fire after Polanski’s new film An Officer And A Spy topped the list of nominations. 

Polanski has been wanted in the US since 1978 for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl and is shunned in Hollywood.  He launched the new film in France in 2019 just days after a French actress accused him of raping her during a ski holiday in 1975, when she was 18. 

In December, Pitt’s company Plan B was acquired by the Paris-based group Mediawan.

He founded Plan B in 2001 with his now ex-wife Jennifer Aniston and his then-manager Brad Grey, who died in 2017. With Brad becoming the sole owner after he and Aniston divorced. 

Praised: As reported by Variety, the Cesar Academie praised the director, writing, ‘Fincher is one of these rare filmmakers whose entire filmography has become cult over the years’

Iconic: Fincher directed Pitt in 1999 classic Fight Club 

Colorful speech: The Cesar Academie described Fincher’s films as ‘hypnotic, intellectual and a source of inspiration for so many artists’

On stage: Pitt is pictured with Virginie Efira on stage  

 According to Page Six, Pitt is looking to settle down on the business front as he steps back from his Hollywood business ventures as he strives towards a ‘relaxed life’ after 30 years in the spotlight.

The actor, 59, is thought to be trying out ‘semi-retirement’ after selling a massive stake of his production company.

A source told the publication: ‘Brad has decided that he wants to live a peaceful life going forward and is deciding what semi-retirement looks like for him.’

‘One thing he’s decided is that he will likely continue acting but that he is staying away from other business ventures,’ they added.

Wow:  Pitt looked enthralled as he watched Fincher give his acceptance speech

In February 2020 the entire board of the ‘French Oscars ‘ resigned just two weeks ahead of the gala ceremony amid an angry row over Roman Polanski ‘s (pictured) inclusion 

While another explained that the Babylon actor is considering leaving Hollywood and looking to ‘move to France and do his vineyard and art and make furniture,’ they added that he wants to live in peace.

Brad co-owns the Château Miraval wine estate with ex-wife Angelina Jolie, and runs businesses out of the property.

In September, it was announced that Angelina’s former company was suing the actor for $250 million over a business dispute. 

The cross-complaint by Nouvel LLC is a legal clap-back after Pitt sued Jolie, claiming she illegally sold her stake in Chateau Miraval, a French castle and wine brand.

Source: Read Full Article