For another, it’s the first time I’ve traveled to such a scene with my publicist, Pearl Servat, I usually travel alone. This trip with her has shown me the value of having someone who has your back.

Another thing that made Cannes different was personal. This year, I left a movie that was just getting under way to come to Cannes for L’Oreal. The result has been that I left a chunk of my psyche back in New York with my “children”, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Cory Stoll and Adam Driver. Not to mention our director, Shawn Levy. Last night I saw the new Coen Brother’s film, “Inside Llewyn Davis” which I liked a lot, and there was Adam Driver . . . brief but memorable. I’m telling you–in case you haven’t already discovered him on “Girls”– this actor is the real deal, just as Jennifer Lawrence is the real deal. Totally original and charismatic. keep your eye out. Seeing him in this Coen Bros movie made me miss my screen family even more.

Despite the weather and my missing psyche, I had a very good time. I’m getting more comfortable with my role as a brand ambassador for L’Oreal–imagine a skin care company hiring someone my age!!! It felt less stressful than last year and I had opportunities to spend time with some of my friends who also work with L’Oreal.

Here’s Eva Longoria adoring Alexander Payne with me in the Palais du Festival. His new film, “Nebraska,” screens Thursday. I hate to miss it. I’ve heard it’s brilliant.

Here’s Aimee Mullins adoring me in my gown from 3 years ago.

On the first day, there was a very interesting shoot with the fantastic, adorable, brilliant photographer Norman Jean Roy.

I wore this black blouse and skirt from Armani Privee and here I am, looking much glummer than I felt, with the stylist and friend, Michael Angel.

That's Juan Carlos next to me who styled my hair for all the photos and red carpets.

Norman was doing a group photo, the kind that covers two magazine pages, with all L’Oreal’s female brand ambassadors. But as we weren’t all in Cannes at the same time, he did us in small groups. I was photographed with my friend, the Spanish actor, Paz Vega (on the far right), and French/Algerian actor, Leila Bekhti, who, like me, had been filming in Paris. We shared thoughts on how hard it is to break the rhythm once you’re into a film and travel into such an unreal world as is the Cannes Festival.

The makeup gal is standing in front of Leila in this picture. But look how beautiful Paz is! We had to pretend to be conversing with other women who, in the final photo, will be photoshopped on either side of us where now there are only chairs with their names taped on. Then, Norman put a film camera on a dolly track and as it moved past us we had to say bits of dialogue such as, “My preference is always color riche” and “because I’m worth it.” Leila and I got the giggles . . . more like the guffaws. I had tears running down my cheeks and whenever we’d try it again, we’d catch each other’s eyes and start laughing all over again.

This video doesn’t show the moving part of the shoot but gives you a sense of the set up.

When that part was over, Leila and Paz left and I put on an Armani white shirt and did a solo photo shoot with Norman for the skin care product for “Mature Skin” that I use and love.

Here I am with Norman and Maite, who runs the publicity shoots for L’Oreal, looking at what we’re shooting on the lap top.

That first evening, I hosted a small dinner prepared by two 5-star chefs for the Swedish company Electrolux. I had always associated Electrolux with the vacuum cleaner but they have a cutting edge line of modern kitchen equipment . . . ovens, steamers, etc. Very impressive.

The dessert arrived in a plume a smoke. Kind of beautiful. Hilary Shor, producer of “The Butler” sat on one side of me and Aimee Mullins on the other. We had a nice, long, opportunity to catch up. Aimee is always interesting, deep and challenging. Hilary told me that “The Butler’s” release date has been moved to mid August by the Weinstein Co which is distributing it.

Reaction to the screenings has been beyond belief, I’m told.

With Aimee Mullins

Electrolux executives

The next night was my first red carpet wearing this Armani gown. Here I am with Michael Angel in the fitting room where we all dress. Michael has become a dear friend.

Here I am in the car heading to the red carpet. It was pouring rain.

I sat with Eva Longoria to watch the film that stars Benicio Del Toro, “Jimmy P (Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian),” in which he plays a Plains indian, incredibly movingly and accurately, I might add.

My final night in Cannes, following a day full of magazine interviews, I wore a Badgley Mischka and how bout the necklace . . . it’s a Choppard ruby! I had an enormous guard with me the whole night.

with stylist Michael Angel

The wind during the red carpet was just about hurricane strength but we got by. Here are some shots to give you an idea of what it’s like.

I sat right in front of the Coen brothers who got a lengthy standing ovation as did the film’s star, Oscar Isaac. Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman (and Adam Driver) are all excellent. This is a very beautiful, exquisitely observed film that will likely receive many nominations, including an Oscar nom for Oscar. I was touched to see Frances McDormand, who is married to Joel Coen, wiping her eyes cause she was so moved when the applause and cheers refused to stop.

Coen Brothers

After the film I went with my publicist, Pearl Servat, to the party to celebrate the launch of the French Vanity Fair. Jessica Chastain, Danny Huston and Charles Finch, writer, director, producer, and developer of global brands through his company Finch & Partners (an old friend of Richard’s) were there and Paz Vega sat right across from me. We had a blast.

From there, I went to a big event that Eva Longoria hosted at the Carlton Hotel to raise funds for one of her foundations that assists under-served girls to go to college. Eva had just sold a date with herself for over $100,000. She does these things with such ease and grace. (By the way, along with all the many things he does, she’s managed to get her Masters degree from UCLA in Chicano studies! She left this morning to return to Los Angeles for her graduation). At her party, I had the pleasure of spending some time with Roland Joffe, who directed such masterpieces as “The Mission” and “The Killing Fields.” He’s still filled with passion to make the world better. I saw fire in his eyes. I want to try to help him with one of his endeavors.

I went with Pearl to the Weinstein Co. party on the beach but it was already 1:30am, it was jammed with young things none of whom I knew and Harvey had already left. So I went to bed by 2:30 and am about to board my Delta flight back to NY. Excited to be reunited with the film . . . and Tulea, who Debi has been faithfully caring for in my absence. Fortunately Debi’s as much a dog person as I am. Tulea adores her.

I started reading “Last Stand: Ted Turner’s Quest to Save a Troubled Planet” by Todd Wilkinson on the plane over. It is a beautiful, important book, a must-read for anyone entrepreneurial, anyone in business, anyone who cares about the environment. I lived through much of it with Ted but I’m learning so much from this book and have sort of fallen in love with him all over again. There’s nobody like him. What a mind. And it’s exciting to see that his thinking and wisdom has deepened even more since we separated in 2000. I will now try to finish it before we land in NY.

That's our director, Shawn Levy, in the middle with me and Tina Fey

The film is “This Is Where I Leave You,” based on a novel by the same name.

It’s very funny. My children, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll and Adam Driver, are amazing beyond belief. It is so exciting to be working with this cast of young, cutting edge actors who are so adept at ad-libbing. I have improvised a lot in many films but not in comedies.

This morning, people gathered round the monitor watching a scene and were crying from laughing so hard.

I feel like a Martian. Their rhythm, what they laugh at, even their language all seem foreign to me which is intriguing and just how it should be for the film. The mother (me), a tad narcissistic, has sort of lost touch with her kids emotionally — though she’s full of love, she doesn’t understand them, nor they her.

To make this experience even better, everyone of them is really nice. This is so important, especially for me at this stage of my life. I mean, you want the results to be perfect, but you realize that the process of getting there is equally important. If you’re surrounded by ego and negativity it’s not worth it. Know what I mean?

Our director, Shawn Levy, is just like my children–young, good energy, generous and smart. I totally trust him. And by the way, my BFF, Paula Weinstein, is producing this film for Warner Bros.

The actor who plays my neighbor and best friend, Debra Monk, is also a wonderful actor. We’re becoming friends. Also playing important roles are the terrific Kathryn Hahn, Ben Schwartz, Aaron Lazar and Connie Britton. I shoot here in New York and surrounding areas till end-ish of June.

But tomorrow, after filming a scene in a hospital with Tina Fey, I leave for the Cannes Film Festival where I will spend 3 days for L’Oreal with some of my friends and fellow L’Oreal brand ambassadors–Eva Longoria, Freida Pinto, Aimee Mullins and maybe Kerry Washington. It’ll be hard work but also fun and then I’ll come back and resume the film.

Here I am with Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies (and Tulea) before the ceremony.

Another reason it was special is because I had my family with me--My stepmother, Shirlee Fonda, my brother, Peter, my son, the actor Troy Garity and my granddaughter, Viva.

Rosanna Arquette came back stage before the ceremony. We've known each other forever.

Before the ceremony with Maria Shriver.

Backstage, before the ceremony with my son Troy, Maria Shriver, my brother Peter and Lily Tomlin. I asked Troy, Lily and Maria Shriver to speak at the ceremony.

The Chinese Grauman theatre is so glamorous I couldn't resist taking this photo inside.

Before the ceremony began, i had to rehearse making hand prints inside the theatre. I decided I wanted to make a peace sign with one of my hands so I tried several versions before choosing which worked best, back of the hand, front of the hand? I decided on back of the hand. (You really have to press hard!). Can you believe no one has made an imprint of the peace sign before! I figure I’m the appropriate one to create this precedent.

When I arrived, there was a huge crowd that filled the sidewalk and even across the street, which moved me a lot. They waved and blew kisses.

Here's what I saw when I peeked out from behind the stage before the ceremony began. Dear friends and family and of course Richard (there he is in the front row to the far right). Many other friends were there too, but I don't have pictures of all of them.

The ceremony began with Robert Osborne. Thats the incredible theater entrance behind him.

Then Troy, who was so eloquent and comfortable in his skin as he spoke. I was bowled over, truth be told. To me, he looks like my father here.

Then Lily Tomlin spoke and, as I waited just behind the back drop, I was crying with gratitude that I have such wonderful friends and family.

Maria Shriver, whom I've known for more than 30 years (her father, the great Sargent Shriver, was my daughter Vanessa's godfather) was also amazing and generous in her talk.

Then I came out and spoke for 2 minutes. Here I'm waving to the fans across the street

and then I knelt down on the knee rest and did what I'd practiced.

Hand print and name done.

And heres the final product.

After the ceremony we took lots more photos.

With Eva Longoria. We've become friends through working for L'Oreal. She's not just beautiful, she's brave and smart.

With Alexander Payne, the fantastic director ("The Descendants," "About Schmidt," "Sideways," "Citizen Ruth"). He and I became friends when I went to Omaha at his invitation to help raise funds for the local cinematheque

Pat Mitchell & Lily Tomlin

I invited Jim Carrey. I am just getting to know him but I have been a huge admirer of his forever as has my granddaughter, Viva. You should have seen her face when she turned in her seat at the start of the ceremony and saw him. I wish I could have filmed her expression. I'm so grateful he was there.

Peter, Shirlee Fonda, and Troy

Left to right: Viva, Troy, me, Peter, his wife, Parky, Shirlee Fonda, Maria, Lily, Robert Osborne

And hovering over all of us all through the ceremony was my father's presence. I could feel him there so strongly. He put his hand and foot prints in the cement in 1942. So in a very palpable way, this day was a family affair. My prints will be placed right next to his which moves me more than anything. No wonder it was such a special day for me.

After the ceremony, all my friends then went next door to the historic Musso Frank’s restaurant and had a yummy lunch.

After that, I appeared on stage across the street at the Egyptian Theatre where Robert Osborne asked me questions about the making of "On Golden Pond" before the film was screened to a full house. I got to tell some of my best Katharine Hepburn stories.

The long, joyous and intense day ended perfectly with a delicious dinner at Craig’s with my family. We were wiped, let me tell you, but still full of excitement from the day.

Till next time…

I have spent the last 5 days at my New Mexico ranch with 8 wonderful women from Atlanta. Some I have known for a long time, some were new to me. Let me explain.

Every year my non-profit, The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential (GCAPP, which was recently renamed because we’ve expanded from an exclusive 18-year focus on teen pregnancy prevention to include health & nutrition), has a large, public fundraiser which includes a live auction and every year I auction off 5 days at my ranch with me. At this last gala, The Empower Party, when we honored Ted Turner with the Big Thinker award, I ended up auctioning 3 such trips. Last Sunday was the start of the 1st trip and it’s hard to imagine there can be a more fun one.

5 women arrived Sunday and the last 3 came on Monday. Here’s a photo of the first group hike. It was bitter cold. Left to right is Helen Izlar, Natalie (holding Tulea) works for CNN International and, coincidentally, is a consultant to Aaron Sorkin for “The Newsroom” TV series that I’m a ‘visiting guest star’ on. Ashley is the CEO of the Atlanta women’s pro basketball team, the Dream Team. Ginny is a member of GCAPP’s board of director’s among many other amazing philanthropic endeavors. Caroline chaired last year’s gala with her twin sister and came to the ranch 10 years ago with another group of Atlanta women auction winners.

Here they are sitting in the tack room on a couch that was on the set of “On Golden Pond”

Getting ready for a ride

I love this view through the barn portal towards the snow capped mountains where the Santa Fe ski basin is.

We shared a delicious dinner. Sandra McDonald, who cooks for me when I have guests, made the most delicious Corn Soup

Chicken with Mille sauce and Chili Rellenos stuffed with Creamy Polenta.”

Together at the table.

Natalie, Helen and Caroline toasting.

Robin and Natalie toasting.

After dinner we all got into the hot tub—for 2 hours of games and laughter.
Finally Emily’s in the picture. She’s the one usually taking them. That’s her in the front, the blonde with the come-hither smile. Then from left of her: Caroline, Robin, Helen, me, Natalie, Mary and Ashley.
We were prunes when we finally decided it was time to get out!

We went into Santa Fe, probably the greatest little town in the whole world for retail therapy. After visiting the fantastic Fenn-Nedra Matteucci art gallery and a very successful visit to Nathalie, my favorite clothing store on Canyon Road, we went to the best cowboy boot store in the world, Back At The Ranch.

“Check out the boots at Santa Fe’s Back at the Ranch. Have you ever seen such fascinating diversity in western foot wear?”

“Of course you can’t visit Santa Fe without stopping by the most amazing chocolate shop, Todos Santos. Here are Ashley and Mary in the doorway”

“This is the front door of the Shed where we had lunch.”

And here are Natalie, Emily and Ginny at the Shed with our exceptional waiter. Emily Giffin, on case you didn’t know, is a multiple best selling novelist. “Where We Belong,” “Something Borrowed,” “Something Blue” and “Baby Proof” among others.”

“We ended our trip into town with a scrumptious dinner at Geronimo. My friends gave me this little Indian pottery piece as a souvenir of our fun in the hot tub.
The only thing sad about these 5 days is that I didn’t see my 5 gobblers. Hope the cougars didn’t get them.”

Mary Williams has been part of my family since she was 16. She came to our children’s camp from Oakland at age 13 and I fell in love with her. Both her parents were members of the Black Panther party. In time she’d move with me to Atlanta and Ted Turner became her stepfather. Quite a journey which she has written about movingly and insightfully in her book “The Lost Daughter,” due out this Mother’s Day.

Oprah found Mary’s book interesting. In fact, she said she gained insight into her own early life reading it. So we agreed to be interviewed together for Oprah’s new show on OWN, joined by my son, Troy Garity. Ted will also be interviewed by Oprah for the story but in Atlanta.

The interview took place at my home and Oprah’s crew of 20 arrived Sunday to pre-light. The place looked like a film studio. It was way more than I expected. Richard freaked because Clive Davis and other friends were coming for pre-dinner drinks and he thought the house was ruined. I said, “Hell no, it’s exciting to be able to say that the house has been turned upside down cause Oprah’s filming tomorrow. I mean, how many people can say that?”.

the crew setting up

the crew setting up

When Oprah arrived Mary and I greeted her at the door. The 3 of us sat on the living room couch and talked while Tulea slept at my side.
It was fun, being more of an observer, watching Mary answer questions and occasionally adding something. Many tears were shed too because Mary’s story is so moving and I am so proud of her. Talking with Oprah in these circumstances is so easy and natural. She makes it that way.
Eventually Troy joined us on the couch, I moved over and he took my place, holding Mary’s hand. Both of us had a hard time calling her “Mary” cause, to us, she’ll always be Lulu.

Mary and Oprah share a laugh

With Mary and Oprah after the interview

With Troy and Oprah. Oprah got to tell Troy in person what a huge fan she was of the show "BOSS". Troy was on "BOSS" which ran for two seasons on STARZ

With One of Mom Oprah's daughters Tabitha. Tabitha, a 2012 graduate of Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, is now a pre-med College Student.

Even Tulea got her time with Oprah

When the interview about Lulu’s book was done, Oprah and I went outside where she interviewed me about where I feel I’m at with my 3rd Act–a sort of follow up to the studio interview she and I did 3-4 years ago.

Setup for our outside interview

Then we hugged goodbye and, before we knew it, the house had been put back together exactly as it had been.

A really fun day and a joyful way to give Lulu’s book a great send off. It sure deserves it.

I’ve been here with Troy and Simone and it has snowed and been beautiful.

I’ve waited 13 years to see wild turkey on the place. I’d been told there were flocks of them in times gone by. Suddenly here they are, encouraged by a little corn.

Turkeys from the kitchen window. I never thought I'd see the day! Those trees you see, I planted them when they were saplings. Being at the ranch makes me viscerally conscious of time passing which has its upside (make the most of it) and it's downside (existential angst. Life's passing quickly).

The turkeys came back the next day for more corn when the snow had melted. They’ve become quite domesticated and, no, I’m not marking one as dinner next Thanksgiving!

The snow didn’t stick but the ranch looked its winter-beautiful self.

I love the reddish color of the willows in winter, especially against the snow.

Saturday night we went to the Pecos High School where the Panthers basketball team was playing the team from the New Mexico Military Academy in Roswell. It was an important game. One they needed to win to go on to the state Championships.

They played really well and had a large team of talented cheerleaders. They won 90 to 67!

After the game we all went to Harry’s Roadhouse just off I25 close to Santa Fe. This place is open for Breakfast, lunch and dinner, doesn’t take reservations but, let me tell you, the food is wonderful and so is the atmosphere. Great for families and big groups because it’s very reasonable. At any time of day you’ll see the parking lot full. We ordered a gluten-free margherita pizza which was yummy and I had the best turkey meatloaf ever!

Now I’m back in L.A. but happy knowing that in a few weeks I’ll be back at ranch with 6 friends from Atlanta.

I was only asked to present Best Director with Michael Douglas about 10 days ago so preparations were very rushed. Donatella Versace sent me a sketch, I liked it, and last Fri (2 days before the Oscars) a tailor came from Italy with the partially made dress and they finished it on me with only one more final fitting on Saturday. I wanted yellow, although they called it ‘chartreuse’. I’ve always liked yellow. It’s a happy, fresh color and I knew no one else would wear anything close to it. Normally yellow is said to be a ‘no-no,’ but I felt I could carry it off. I’ve worn yellow once before to the Oscars when I attended on Ted Turner’s arm. I liked the deco style of the waist band and the structured shoulders and the chandelier, yellow Chopard diamond earrings. The feed back I’ve gotten makes me feel it was a good choice but then maybe my friends kept the negatives away. We taped the show and when we got back, I watched my presentation and thought it photographed well, too. What do you think, dear readers?

There was much about the Oscars that I really liked. Let’s start with Charlize Theron dancing with Channing Tatum. Is there anything that beautiful creature can’t do?! I so admire the women who do it all: act brilliantly, sing, and dance…I’m thinking Charlize, Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and, of course, Meryl (Mama Mia!). And how about Zeta-Jones doing that song and dance number from the film “Chicago” which, as Michael reminded me, she did TEN years ago! She doesn’t seem to have lost a thing along a way and a lot has happened in her life along the way. Brava to her. Michael looked great and was as funny and charming as ever

I loved Shirley Bassey belting out “Goldfinger”, and Barbra, and Adele and what seemed like the whole cast of “Les Miserables” all together.” That was very dramatic and moving.

with Derek McLane

I LOVED that Quentin Tarantino won best original screenplay. I was happy that “Argo” won Best Picture (and that Michelle Obama presented it). There were so many truly wonderful, unique films and actors nominated this year and many of them, I felt, should have won, but out of respect for those who did win and they were also brilliant, the only name I will say here is Robert De Niro. I wanted him to win so badly. And I did adore “Silver Linings PLaybook” so much I’ve seen it 3 times.

What I really didn’t like was the song and dance number about seeing actresses boobs. I agree with someone who said, if they want to stoop to that, why not list all the penises we’ve seen? Better yet, remember that this is a telecast seen around the world watched by families with their children and to many this is neither appropriate or funny. I also didn’t like the remark made about Quvenzhane and Clooney, or the stuff out of Ted’s mouth and all the comments about what women do to get thin for their dresses. Waaaay too much stuff about women and bodies, as though that’s what defines us.

I can say this: I’ve been to more Oscars than I can count and it never gets boring. I am still thrilled to see all the amazing talents there, in flesh and blood.

After spending a little time in the green room backstage with Meryl and Barbra and Donna Karan, I did what Ive never done before. It felt very movie-starish: I changed into another gown, a spotted black and white Reem Acra which was very comfortable.

In Reem Acra Gown at Vanity Fair Party

After that we went to George Clooney’s much smaller party where I had a most enjoyable, interesting, uplifting one-on-one with George. In a few days, I must remind him of it cause he may well have forgotten. And–we got to congratulate Ben Affleck (sans beard…he obviously was a quick-change artist himself) for his much-deserved Oscar.

Got home much too late given that I’ve had a cold for a week or more, but it was worth it.

I first came to the Berlin Film Festival around 1966 with the great film producer, Sam Spiegel (“Lawrence of Arabia,” “On The Waterfront,” and many others) bringing “The Chase,” a film about racism which Spiegel produced and in which Marlon Brando, Robert Redford and Robert Duvall, also starred– among others). It was written, by the way, by Lillian Hellman and directed by Arthur Penn. Sam and I took time to cross to East Berlin through the heavily guarded gate, Check Point Charlie, as it was called. I remember being nervous as we passed through all the soldiers armed with serious weapons.

I came back in 1990 right after the Berlin wall came down in order to interview women, students, artists and actors, in particular, about their feelings now that Germany was reunited, just as I did in the newly freed Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland. I was interested in exploring the role that actors and other artists had played in the fall of communism and how they were handling their new freedom. I learned that freedom is more complicated than one might have thought–but that is for another blog.

Altogether, I’ve been here 4 or 5 times, usually to promote a film or book and have never had time to really be a tourist, which is what I want to do, and soon, because this is a fascinating city with a rich, complex history. I am staying in the really beautiful Adlon Hotel, very close to the Brandenburg gate.

Brandenburg Gate

This hotel has had a long and gloried history but was destroyed by bombs during WWII and, because of its proximity to the Berlin Wall, was not rebuilt until the mid-1990′s, once the Wall had been removed. Here is a view from my window in the snow.

I had one day to get over jet lag (these days it takes me longer than that, but that’s all I could afford. I had work to do. I would have gone to see the Jewish Memorial with my hairstylist, Matthew Shield, during this rest day but that was the only time I had to watch the documentaries that have been nominated for an Oscar. I am a voting member of the Motion Picture Academy and this is the first year that members have received DVDs of the nominated documentaries which is exciting. I love documentaries and will have to be prepared to cast my ballot as soon as I am back in Los Angeles on Monday. Here, by the way, are two pictures that Matthew took of the Jewish Memorial.

The Jewish Memorial in the snow. Alas, I had no time to visit the memorial but Matthew did and said it was very very moving. These are tomb-like sculptures about the memorial.

Another picture of the Memorial sculptures

I found all the documentaries exciting and important. One, “The Invisible War“, is about rapes and sexual harassment of women in the U.S. armed forces. This happens more than you can imagine and is tragic. Interviews were done with women in all branches of service who were so proud to serve, so desirous of making a career in the military. Many had fathers who served in previous wars. What has happened to so many of them (and a few men as well) at the hands of their male superiors is exposed in this film and, hopefully, because of that, something will be done to stop it from happening to more women. I just found out that a number of the women in the film (who now suffer PTSD as a result of their abuse) are receiving therapy at a ranch near Santa Barbara that I used to own. I always felt it was a healing place and I pray that will be the case for these women.

Another documentary, “How to Survive a Plague,” tells the history of the spread of AIDS in the U.S. and the activism that forced the government and, in particular, the Health Department and various leading pharmaceutical companies, to change their research protocols and lessen the time it took them to test and put a new drug on the market. It is also instructive to witness the growth and maturing of ACT UP, the main activist organization, and it’s heroic leaders.

Then I watched “The Gate Keepers,” which significantly and for the first time ever, interviews the men who have run Israel’s top anti-terrorist organization (I didn’t write down its name and don’t have time to go back and look again at the film, but it is a well-known and respected organization). The men are all retired now, but each of them were in charge of this critical work over many years and under many liberal and conservative Israeli governments. It begins when the job meant going into the West Bank, getting to know the Palestinians, recruiting spies amongst them with whom they worked closely. But these early leaders were deeply familiar with the Palestinian community. This began to change as Jewish settlers started building their settlements in the West Bank and Intifadas started. And then changed radically in 1993 when the Oslo Accords between Arafat and Rabin was signed and would have paved the way for a two-state solution. But that’s when extremist Israelis rose up to stop the accord from becoming a reality, one of the extremists assassinated President Rabin, the accords unraveled and the job of the Israeli anti-terrorist organization became more complex, having now to survey not only Palestinian extremists but Israelis extremists as well. I was fascinated to discover that, to a man, it now seems that these former gate keepers, believe that Israel must engage in talks with everyone including Hamas and Hezbollah. In essence, their final message is “there will never be peace here unless we talk to each other.” True, I believe, everywhere in the world–talk and listen.

The last documentary I watched is called “Five Broken Cameras.” Interestingly, this documentary was made by a Palestinian man who lives with his wife and sons in the West Bank. Like most of the Palestinians, they live off the land, growing their food, harvesting the olives from their ancient olive trees. The man starts with a very simple camera and films the spread of the Israeli settlements as they slowly and frighteningly encroach on the land of his village, bulldozing the fields and uprooting the olive tress, arresting and sometimes killing some villagers. The man also documents the rise of the weekly village protests, and the spread of the protest to other West Bank villages. in the course of the film, one camera after another–5 cameras in all–are destroyed by gun shots from Israeli soldiers. After a number of years and unflagging protests, the Israeli government orders the barrier to be moved back and the village regains its land. I strongly urge you all to see these documentaries. You will learn a lot and be very moved in the process.

My first work day consisted of back-to-back interviews. First, however, my Glam Team, Matthew on hair and make-up done by the talented German artist Miriam Jacks who is L’Oreal’s key artist in Germany.

It does take a village to do this glam stuff! I grabbed a half hour nap at lunch time, did more interviews and then got ready for the red carpet. I wore a gold Badgley Mischka dress.

Here's a picture of me from the Front page of a leading Berlin newspaper.

Here’s some video I took on the 2nd night just to give you a sense of what the Berlin Festival red carpet is like. It’s more informal and less intense than Cannes, I can tell you.

The man waving and giving me the ‘thumbs up” is Guerric De Beauregard, head of L’Oreal’s publicity and PR.

I was pleased to see that 4 (a majority) of the festival’s jury members are women: Ellen Kuras, the American writer and director, Shirin Neshat, the Iranian director, Susanne Bier, the Danish director and Greek director, Athina R. Tsangari. Tim Robbins is also a member of the jury and I got a chance to talk with him briefly. Such a smart, talented, nice man. I also chatted with my friend, Isabella Rossellini, who has 3 films at the festival: one she directed, one she acts in and one, a retrospective on her mother, Ingrid Bergman, who would be 100 this year if she was still living.

We watched a beautiful Chinese film, “The Grandmaster.” it is not in competition (in fact the director, Wong Kar-Wai, is president of the festival’s jury). The film is about a master of the art of Kung Fu who is killed and his daughter, also a master of this most balletic of martial arts, is determined to avenge his death. My simultaneous translation via earphones didn’t work very well so I didn’t understand much of the story but it was magnificent to look at, the acting seemed really good, I have never seen kung fu executed more beautifully and the actor who plays the daughter has the most exquisite face I have ever seen on screen.

Today was more back-to-back interviews with magazines from all over Europe and South America. I am moved by how many of the journalists are not only aware of the upcoming (Feb 14th!!) One Billion Rising, but plan to rise themselves. One German writer said her entire magazine is planning to go into the street to dance and chant for an end to violence against women.

The final event today was going to an unusual glass “Story Box” created in the middle of a large public square by L’Oreal especially for the 10 days of the festival. Here, the general public can make appointments to come and learn how to put on makeup. There’s a team of makeup artists, using L’Oreal’s products and I’m told from the moment the place opened, they are completely booked. This afternoon, In the Story Box, I was interviewed by my make-up artist, Miriam, and we then took questions from women via skype.

Here is Meriam getting me ready

The camera crew ready to film the interview

Meriam interviewing me

Matthew looking on and the computer that skyped us

people down below watching

Then I got ready for my last red carpet wearing a black Reem Acra gown of my own that I love…and both nights I was adorned with Chopard jewelry…loaned, of course. Tonight, in competition, was Gus Van Zant’s wonderful film about fracking, “The Promised Land,” starring Matt Damon. I got a chance to greet and congratulate both of them. Having already seen the film in the U.S., I came back to the hotel and, like Cinderella, I took all the jewels off and gave them back. And now, rather pumpkin-like, I’m wrapped in a hotel bathrobe, writing this blog and about to go to bed. I’ll get about 3 hours sleep before I go to the airport to fly to Atlanta where I get to spend a few days with my daughter and grandchildren.

I’m told L’Oreal will be wanting me in Cannes again this May and, like last year, I’ll tell you all about it. For now, good night–and good luck.

Just after the New Year, I did a cleanse. I wanted to enter this new year, perhaps even a new era (which is what I believe began 12/21/12), fresh, healthy renewed, having had 2 major surgeries this year and a not-exactly-healthy diet over the holidays. I went to the Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica where I get once-a-week acupuncture, and got the special powder, pills and tea that Dr Mao prepares. these chinese herbs help with cleansing and detoxing and are probably available from any Chinese acupuncturist place (in case you’re interested).

Besides these special products, I had 3 acupuncture, infrared saunas, and cupping sessions. Infrared saunas go deeper into your body than regular saunas and cupping is when the doctor or nurse places a heated glass cup upside down on your oiled skin so that a powerful suction is created. The cup is then moved around, first your stomach and then your back. All these 3 things help with lymphatic drainage (detoxifying).

As for my cleansing diet, I had no coffee, alcohol, wheat, red meat, dairy or anything acidic, except for a cup of hot lemon juice first thing in the morning. Breakfast consisted of hot oat bran or steel-cut oatmeal with almond or rice milk, mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks of fresh vegetable juice (mostly kale, spinach, apple, ginger and beets) or vegetable broth plus an apple (Fuji are my favorite cause they’re crunchy and sweet/tart). For lunch and dinner, I’d made various stir frys with bean sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, chicken, fish or firm tofu and other variations of veggies, which we ate with brown. I stuck to it 100% for one week.

Now, and probably forever, I still don’t have coffee. I still start off the day with hot lemon juice. I still won’t eat red meat and very little wheat. But I do have a 0% fat greek yogurt every morning, fish three times a week (the fatty ones like salmon and tuna–very important when you’re older, especially), and chicken or tofu stir fry. No wine. I suffer from osteoarthritis and so have to stay away from anything acidic like wine, coffee, eggplant, white potatoes, tomatoes. I do indulge in vodka a few times a week–like maybe 4-5 times

What else? I am doing my yoga DVD. One 10-minute segment in the morning to get me revved up and ready to go and one 10-minute segment in the evening to chill me out. Sometimes with Richard, my honey. And 3 times a week or more I lift light weights and 4 times a week or more I do 20-30 minutes of some form of aerobics. I live at the top of a hill, so I have Richard or my assistant drive me down to the bottom far enough so it will take me 30 minutes to get back to the house. There’s also a recumbent bike and treadmill in the house so other days I do those.

I have increased my meditation to every day for 10 or 20 minutes and sometimes Richard does that with me too. When we’re doing it together, I do the 10 minute meditation that is on my recent (last year’s) DVD called “Firm & Burn” under “Extras” (as in bonus track). I like it because before the actual meditation, I take you (us) through some breathing exercises that gets energy flowing in your body. You can really feel it. It’s like coming alive. It gets you in touch with your body— inside—something too few people do and it is amazing how it changes your life and how you look…your eyes get brighter, clearer. As an actor, these breathing exercises are great to do right before going on camera because you actually look different. The energy you can feel coursing through your body after the breathing exercises, a sort of tingling sensation, that energy is you, your being, what leaves you when you die. It is precious and the more we can tap into that feeling inside us the more alive we’ll be. To save time when I’m not actually doing the Firm & Burn DVD and don’t want to take the time to select the Bonus Track, I used my iphone to record just the breathing exercises and the entire 10-minute meditation which begins with a chime and ends with a chime. I like the chime because then I don’t have to keep worrying about how much time has elapsed. And when I do more than 10 (when I’m alone), I simply turn off the tape after 10 min. and continue in silence. Highly recommended.

A few days ago I filmed an episode of “The Newsroom’s” 2nd season. Things came easier to me. I felt more relaxed (something that Bill Murray told me I really need to work on) and I truly believe it had to do with the cleanse, the yoga, the breathing and meditation.

When it makes me feel this good, I am motivated to keep it up and I will because I don’t want to have to report to you that I fell back to old habits. And I won’t lie.

I should have taken pictures but it felt inappropriate. So I’ll just have to use my words to tell you about the parties we went to this weekend. They were really fun. At the CAA party on Friday I hugged and congratulated Anne Hathaway who recently did a magnificent job emceeing the Women’s Media Center gala in NY and wowed everyone with her intelligence. She told Robert Deniro about One Billion Rising that will take place around the world this coming Valentine’s Day, Feb 14th. She said, “Robert, one billion women in the world are rape or beaten in their life times. One billion people, women and the men who love them, will rise up to dance, sing, strike,raise their voices to say “enough.” Join us. You don’t have to do a fancy dance, just get out there somewhere and sway your hips and rise with us.” He had that funny, bemused, crooked smile of his, but seemed open to the idea. Robert Redford’s on board and has done a video explaining why he’s rising (Go to the V-DAY website). (But I’ll write a whole blog soon explaining what One Billion Rising is, cause you’ll want to be part of it.

I met Jennifer Lawrence who was so amazing in “Silver Linings Playbook.” For those of you who haven’t yet seen the film, I urge you to go, but you know Jennifer from “Hunger Games.” In “Silver Linings Playbook” her presence on the screen is electric. She is so utterly present, so inside her character’s skin that it’s a rare thing to see. She’s way taller than I had realized and really easy to talk to. Robert Deniro is in the film and also disappears into his character. We forget he’s Deniro. I told him that. I think it’s the best supporting actor role this season…and there are a lot of good ones! The director, David O. Russell, is also really easy to talk to and took me completely by surprise when he rattled off all sort of obscure trivia about my career–including, even the pretty silly “Sunday in New York.” I had no idea he knew much about me. There was a recent interview with Deniro describing David’s style of directing–he sometimes shouts things, ideas, new lines, etc at the actors while the camera is rolling and I think that would be such a great experience, would keep you fresh and surprised. My new dream is to work with him. I love all his films which, besides “Silver Linings,” include “I Heart Huckabee,” and “Three Kings.”

Demi Moore and I had a good talk. I’ve known her for over 30 years. She looked really well and said that she’s working on herself and feeling very upbeat. On the way out, I ran into my pals Rosario Dawson, looking radiantly in love (with the brilliant Danny Boyle who made “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Train Spotting” among others), Kerry Washington who was so good in “Django Unchained” not to mention “Scandal.” Rosario, Kerry, Anne Hathaway and I are all on the board of Eve Ensler’s global organization V-Day: Until The Violence Stops. Leaving, I also ran into Jennifer Anniston, Naomi Watts, Emily Blunt and Freida Pinto and her partner, Dev Patel, who co-starred in “Slumdog Millionaire”. Dev is also in “The Newsroom” and Freida is a L’Oreal brand ambassador, as am I. What truly nice people they are.

Last night we watched the Golden Globes at home. Jodie Foster’s speech when she won a Lifetime Achievement Award made me cry. The first thing she did was shout out, “I’m 50! I’m 50″, with her arms spread wide. Then she said she was going to say something she had never said before, “I’m single.” I’ve never seen anything like her speech at an awards show…raw, honest, thrilling, inspirational–all, it felt like, in one, long, exhuberant breath, a compact, radiant body of pure energy, asking us to understand her, her need for privacy having worked as an actor since she was 3; her sending an incredible message of love to her mother who, I surmise is ill; the way she acknowledged her ex-lover but still her soul sister and co-parent of their 2 sons; her saying “This feels like the end of one era and the beginning of something else. Scary and exciting and now what?” Boy, can I ever relate to that. And later in the speech she said, “I want to be seen, to be understood deeply and to be not so very lonely.” Is there anyone who can’t relate to that? Is that not what we all dream of, pray for in our lives? To be seen and understood and not lonely? Whew!

I thought Tina Fey and Amy were fantastic and I loved that there really wasn’t a sweep by any one film.

After the show we went to the HBO post-Globes party where we sat with Jeff Daniels and Sam Waterson. I love and admire them them both so much and so many friends came by to chat: Michael J. Fox and his wife and son, Sally Field who is one of my dearest friends and who I wish had won Best Actress, Jeremy Irons, P. Diddy and many others.

From there we went to the Sunset Towers for the CAA party. Bill Clinton was there which was exciting. He said he and Chelsea are watching over Hillary and that she’s back at work. Again, so many friends–Eva Longoria, Kate Hudson, Kerry Washington again, Bill Maher. Jennifer Lopez came over to say hello and talk for a bit. She’d changed into a black, backless chiffon number that was stunning. Leonardo Di Caprio, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, Bill Murray. I find Bill fascinating. Its hard to know when he’s serious and when he’s joking but he said he wanted to work with me and then, later, gave me some profound acting lessons. Quentin Tarantino sat with me for quite awhile carrying his Golden Globe for original screen play. I told him how extraordinary I think it is that “Lincoln” and his remarkable “Django Unchained” were in theatres at the same time. One, “Django,” viscerally shows what slavery was like, all within the framework of a sort of spaghetti western with lots of humor thrown in. The other, “Lincoln”, shows how that president got government to work to end slavery.

There’s a scene in “Django” where Kerry Washington is lashed with a whip. I told Quentin that it was the first such scene that I actually believed. I could feel every lash. Kerry seemed to be receiving each lash on behalf of her ancestors, all those who had experienced that, all the ghosts of the slaves on the actual plantation where they filmed. Kerry really got to me and I cried. I asked if it was a hard scene to shoot and he said that the one where Jamie Foxx has to get down on his knees before a white man and beg him not to whip his wife was perhaps even harder. “I filmed that myself with a hand held camera,” he said. “I was crying and my tears filled the camera lens and it fogged over and I couldn’t even see exactly what I was filming. I just pointed the camera in what I thought was the right direction.” “Did you actually use that footage you shot yourself?” I asked. “Yes,” he answered, “That’s the footage in the film.” It’s an important film, as is “Lincoln.” I have read about and heard people say after coming out of “Django,” that they’d never realized before what slavery was really like.

Quentin then went off somewhere forgetting to bring his trophy with him so I grabbed it for safe keeping. About 30 minutes later, he came back, all upset because he couldn’t find it and it was awhile before I saw him and let him know I had it.

As we left the party, people had started to dance and I was mesmerized watching Jennifer Lopez dancing, sometimes with her beau, sometimes alone, confident, glowing, sexy as all get out. As she moved, her back, bare to the waist, was a study to behold .

Now the parties are over and it’s back to work. I am feeling very much as if a new era is starting for me, just as Jodie Foster described it, and I’m trying to be as present and healthy for it as I can. I started the year with a cleanse and have made my meditation practice more regular and longer–but I’ll write about all that in my next blog.