Bernardo Bertolucci bows out of Mexico film festival after heart surgery

Acclaimed Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci has cancelled an upcoming appearance at a Mexican film festival after undergoing a recent unplanned heart surgery. The Oscar winner was slated to make a visit to the 30th Guadalajara International Film Festival, which begins on Friday (06Mar15), and pick up a lifetime achievement award.
However, Bertolucci announced in a statement on Wednesday (04Mar15) that he will not be able to travel to Mexico after recently undergoing a procedure for a coronary stent implant.
The director revealed that after a routine visit with his doctor, he determined that surgery on his heart would be necessary, and because of the lengthy recovery process, he is unable to travel over the next several weeks.
Bertolucci noted that he is doing well following the surgery.
Although the 73 year old will not be present to receive his lifetime achievement award, Tea Falco and Jacopo Olmo Antinori – the stars of his 2012 film Me and You – will be in Guadalajara to accept the prize on his behalf.