Cannes, France, May 21 (EFE).- Michael Douglas wept here Tuesday as he recounted how director Steven Soderbergh waited for the Oscar-winning actor to recover from throat cancer so he could star as flamboyant pianist Liberace in "Behind the Candelabra." "For me this ... it was right after my cancer. This beautiful gift was handed to me. I'm eternally grateful to Steven, Matt and Jerry," a tearful Douglas said, referring to Soderbergh, co-star Matt Damon and producer Jerry Weintraub. The crowd of reporters covering the presentation applauded.

"Behind the Candelabra," the biopic of flamboyant entertainer Liberace that may be director Steven Soderbergh's swansong, turned the spotlight on homosexuality on Tuesday in a landmark year for gay rights. The biggest film screening at the 12-day festival's halfway point, Soderbergh's movie has generated a huge buzz, for top-line heterosexual actors are cast in the roles of gays. Michael Douglas turns in an eye-catching performance as the ageing Las Vegas pianist, while Matt Damon plays his handsome teenage lover, Scott Thorson.

A Coen brothers comedy, a daring Chinese expose of exploitation and moral rot, and a divorce drama by an Iranian Oscar winner emerged as the breakout favourites as the Cannes Film Festival hit the halfway mark Tuesday. Although incessant rain and chilly winds put a damper on the champagne-fuelled soirees in this French Riviera town, audiences have responded warmly to much of the selection so far.

A Coen brothers comedy, a daring Chinese expose of exploitation and moral rot, and a divorce drama by an Iranian Oscar winner emerged as the breakout favourites as the Cannes Film Festival hit the halfway mark Tuesday. Although incessant rain and chilly winds put a damper on the champagne-fuelled soirees in this French Riviera town, audiences have responded warmly to much of the selection so far.