Thaindian News

October 15, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): Robert Redford added another feather on his cap on Thursday at the 74 year old actor received the highest honors of France - the Legion of Honor title, which is equivalent to knighthood in France. The award was bestowed upon the American actor by the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.

The Academy Award winning director was recognized by France for his outstanding work on films and environmental issues. The actor has worked hard to give a place to independent filmmakers and now the Sundance Film Festival founded by the man has become one of the important places for film makers.

While conferring the honor, Sarkozy said that the actor is all the good things that America as a nation stands for and all the French people would want to have the honor of pinning the red-ribbon medal on Redford’s lapel.

In his acceptance speech, the Sundance Kid actor thanked the French people for letting him understand America better, since it were them who made him realize what America is as he travelled France after dropping out from college. The actor’s works have literally gone beyond national boundaries touching everyone’s heart, be it with the 2007 film Lion for Lambs or 1992 flick A River Runs through It.

Legion of Honor was started in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte honoring people with outstanding work in military, arts, science and culture along with contributing socially, but to was not restricted to French citizens only. Clint Eastwood was also bestowed with the honor.