Richard Gere poses for photographers as he leaves the premiere of the film ‘Oh, Canada’ at the 77th International Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. Photo Credit: Scott A. Garfitt

Richard Gere, a onetime Hollywood star, said he drew on the emotions of his father’s death to bring emotional depth to his role in “Oh, Canada,” which he won decades later at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday. Back on the red carpet. ,

Gere said, “It resonates very much with my emotional journey with my father, who was nearly 101 years old at the time of his death.”

He added, “Paul (Schrader, director) wrote such a brilliant script, a touching script, full of wonderful character material that it made it very easy for me to say ‘yes’.”

Uma Thurman, Richard Gere, Paul Schrader, Penelope Mitchell and a guest appear on the ‘Oh, Canada’ red carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2024 in Cannes, France. Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain

The 74-year-old Gere is almost unrecognizable as Leonard Fife, a man nearing the end of his life, intent on sharing the secrets of his youth with his wife of 30 years, played by Uma Thurman. has played on camera, using a technique he has perfected as a performer. Famous documentary filmmaker.

The film, which is competing for the film festival’s top Palme d’Or prize, is told through flashbacks, with Jacob Elordi of “Euphoria” fame playing the younger version of Leonard.

Critics were indifferent after the film’s premiere. Guardian Giving it two stars out of five, it was called “disorganized, repulsive and often hesitantly presented”.

“Oh, Canada” brings Gere back with Schrader nearly four decades after the 1980 crime drama “American Gigolo.”

Alejandra Silva and Richard Gere hit the ‘Oh, Canada’ red carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival. Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain

Gere said, “We’re like old dogs now, you know? It’s like, I was going to say that about old whores, but I can’t say that.”

He added, “But there’s a shorthand to it. I mean, during this time we didn’t talk much, we just understood a few things.”

The film is based on the novel “Foregone” by Russell Banks, a friend of Schrader’s who adapted “Affliction” with Nick Nolte into the 1997 Oscar-nominated film of the same title.

Why did Shredder do “Oh, Canada”?

“Russell got sick. It’s that simple,” said Schrader, who recalled how upset he was after Banks told him not to visit because he was in poor health due to cancer. Banks died last year.

“I knew he had written a book about dying while being healthy, so I better read that book,” said Schrader, 77. “And I read that book and I thought ‘Yeah, that’s what I should do’.”

From left, Uma Thurman, Richard Gere and director Paul Schrader pose for photographers as they depart the premiere of ‘Oh, Canada’ at the 77th International Film Festival. Photo Credit: Scott A. Garfitt

The director said that he also faced his death after a few hospital visits due to prolonged COVID and a broken bone.

“I was thinking, you know, maybe, maybe this is the point,” he said. “At that point, you start thinking, OK, if I have one more movie left, what should it be about?” He said.

“And, fortunately, my health has improved,” Schrader said, adding that he may still have some films to make.