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Meryl Streep, the legendary actress known for her unparalleled career, recently took a trip down memory lane at the Cannes Film Festival. Speaking at Théâtre Debussy on Wednesday, the 74-year-old icon reminisced about her illustrious career and opened up about an “intimate” scene with Robert Redford from the 1985 film “Out of Africa.”
A Tender Moment in Cinematic History
Streep described the shampoo scene from “Out of Africa” as one of her most iconic on-screen moments. “I mean it’s such a tender scene. It’s a sex scene in a way because it’s so intimate. We’ve seen so many scenes of people f**king, but we don’t see that loving touch, that care,” she explained, as reported by Variety.
In the film directed by Sydney Pollack, Streep portrayed a baroness while Redford played a big game hunter. The memorable scene involves Redford’s character tenderly shampooing and scrubbing Streep’s hair in a South African river, while reciting lines from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”
The Making of an Iconic Scene
Interestingly, Redford sought coaching on how to provide a memorable shampoo experience, taking pointers from Streep’s longtime hair and makeup artists. Reflecting on the scene, Streep shared, “Redford took the lesson, and he just really got into it, and he was great. By take five, I was so in love. I didn’t want it to end that day, even in spite of the hippos.”
On-Set Challenges and Animal Encounters
Filming in the African river came with its challenges. Streep recalled being warned by the production team about potentially dangerous animals in the area. “We had lions, but they were imported from California and they were supposedly fine — tame. They were not,” she revealed.
She also shared a particularly harrowing detail about the local wildlife: “The second thing we were told is the animal that kills the most people in Africa is the hippopotamus if you get between the hippopotamus and the water. So we were shooting in the river and the hippopotamuses were right above it.”
Honored at Cannes
Meryl Streep attended the film festival’s opening ceremony earlier this week to receive her honorary Palme d’Or award. The Palme d’Or, also known as the “Golden Palm,” is a prestigious accolade given to artists in recognition of their lifetime achievements and contributions to cinema.
A Legacy of Unmatched Excellence
Streep’s reflections on her career and her candid recount of filming “Out of Africa” highlight the dedication and passion that have marked her journey in the film industry. As she continues to be celebrated for her contributions to cinema, fans and colleagues alike are reminded of the depth and authenticity she brings to every role.
A Glimpse into the Personal
Beyond the professional accolades, Streep’s stories from behind the scenes provide a glimpse into the personal connections and memorable moments that have shaped her legendary career. From dealing with wild animals on set to sharing an intimate scene with Robert Redford, Meryl Streep’s journey is as captivating off-screen as it is on.
As fans around the world celebrate her achievements, Meryl Streep’s reflections serve as a testament to the enduring impact of her work and the timelessness of her performances.
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