New York, March 10-14 – You know you’ve been reading tabloids way too much when you say to someone, “It’s Catherine Deneuve; it’s not like it’s Lindsay Lohan or something”. Yes, I actually said that while rushing to Restaurant Daniel for La Nuit des Etoiles, a dinner to launch the 2005 French Film Festival at Lincoln Center. (Although “nuit des etoiles” translates to “night of stars”, Lindsay Lohan wasn’t there.) But at 61, Deneuve is still radiant, and all eyes were on her at the packed reception.

The iconic French actress signed autographs outside on the freezing street before entering the party - so she could smoke her cigarette.

Deneuve was the centerpiece of the festival, attending a screening of her film, Changing Times, at Walter Reade, and a luncheon and reception for French actors and filmmakers on Monday.