In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Harrison Ford, now 80 years old after his career tribute, says he is “flattered and uncommonly reflective.” Last Thursday at the Cannes Film Festival, Ford was bestowed with an honorary Palme d’Or for his lifetime achievement award. 

Ford attended the festival to promote his upcoming movie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Ford’s new film follows a 70-year-old Indiana Jones coming out of retirement thanks to his goddaughter. During this time, he received the honorary Palme d’Or award from Cannes director Iris Knobloch. Ford was met with an overwhelming standing ovation. 

Ford says after seeing his lifetime of performances displayed on the big screen, “They say when you’re about to die, you see your life flash before your eyes, and I just saw my life flash before my eyes.” 

In the interview days after Ford received the award, Ford said he was grateful, flattered, reflective, and happy to be at the Cannes festival. This, of course, is one of many times Ford has attended the Cannes Festival. Many times it has been for his role in Indiana Jones. Ford never thought he would revisit his older parts, such as Han Solo, Deckard, or Indiana Jones. He would only return to these roles if they were received well. However, Ford is not against stepping back into his past characters. Ford says one of the most significant parts of stepping back into a movie and character is progressing the character and story. 

Ford’s reason for revisiting Indiana Jones is to close out the franchise with a final chapter to show how Indiana Jones is coping with his old age when his character has been so physical. Ford is asked by the interviewer what he would not have known when he was younger than he knows now. He says, “This is a reference to Phil Strutts: Keep moving. Forward motion. Don’t stop. Don’t stand around watching your own accidents. ‘There’s nothing to see, folks. Keep on moving.’”