Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute to Robert Redford on Thursday (14Oct10) when he presented the movie icon with the nation's highest cultural honour.
The Indecent Proposal star was bestowed with the prestigious Legion of Honor title in Paris for his movie achievements and his work to protect the environment.
Redford was made a knight as Sarkozy handed him a red-ribboned medal at the small ceremony, telling him, "I know 65 million French people who would like to be in my shoes right now...
"You are the incarnation of the United States and all that that country represents. Those who love cinema long remember... (your) films, which we watch and re-watch with the same emotion each time."
The actor spoke of his delight at the title, saying, "I will continue with my commitment to make cinema that opens people's spirits and goes beyond borders, and this prize will help me do that."
redford is back behind the camera for his new movie The Conspirator which tells the story of Mary Surratt, the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln.
As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life. The movie boasts an all star cast of James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Justin Long and Evan Rachel Wood.
The Conspirator is the first movie for Redford as director since Lions For Lambs.
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