Kim Novak surprised fans with a rare appearance at the Venice International Film Festival. The 92-year-old actress, best remembered for her iconic role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, arrived smiling and waving to photographers. Her presence marked her first major public event in a decade, making the moment even more special for longtime admirers.
According to PEOPLE, Novak will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement during the festival. In addition, Kim Novak’s Vertigo, a new documentary about her life and career, will premiere on the same day. The film offers an intimate look at her journey, celebrating both her Hollywood legacy and her decision to pursue a quieter, more personal path.
A Tribute to Her Life and Career
Vertigo Star Kim Novak, 92, Makes Extremely Rare Public Appearance at Venice Film Festival (Exclusive) – People https://t.co/6hoyPT4jfK
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The documentary was a longtime dream for her manager, Sue Cameron, who also produced the film. She explained that the project had been in the works for more than 15 years. When director Alexandre Philippe came on board, the project quickly gained momentum, and just weeks later, he was filming Novak in her Oregon home.
Cameron described the documentary as a masterpiece that captures the real Kim Novak. She emphasized that few people truly knew her struggles, including a turbulent childhood and the pressures of fame. For Novak, watching the finished film was emotional. She admitted that the director’s vision moved her to tears, as it revealed her authentic self in a way she never expected.
Finding Herself Beyond Hollywood
Kim Novak’s life story is not only about stardom but also about resilience. In past interviews, she explained that leaving Hollywood was essential for her survival. The studio system tried to package her as a sex symbol, yet she fought to preserve her identity. In her memoir, Kim Novak: Her Art and Life, she recalled refusing to let Columbia Pictures strip away her family name.
After stepping back from acting in the 1980s, Novak embraced her true passions—art, poetry, and caring for animals. She eventually settled in Oregon, where nature inspired her creative work. Even today, at 92, Kim Novak remains a figure of strength and individuality, admired not just for her beauty on screen but for her determination to live life on her own terms.