If there's anyone who knows what a good movie is, it's Steven Spielberg.
The critically acclaimed director is behind cinematic masterpieces like Jurassic Park, E.T., Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan, winning him over 30 awards over the course of his decades-long career — including three Academy Awards.
But last night was all about fellow director Francis Ford Coppola who was being awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award (the highest honor bestowed by the American Film Institute).
He was presented the award by Spielberg and Star Wars creator George Lucas. Coppola's award marked the 50th Life Achievement Award given out by the AFI, says Variety.
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The annual event took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Gushing about his peer, Spielberg said: "On one hand, you are a warrior for independent artists, you always champion their causes, but also, and always, you’re fearless in how open you are to ideas, opinions and inspiration."
He went on to hail Coppola's The Godfather, released in 1972, as 'the greatest American film ever made'.
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"The Godfather for me, is the greatest American film ever made," said the Jaws director. "Many artists can and do take a bow from their work on a page, on a canvas, on a screen, but our applause for you Francis, is from a different kind of audience."
Spielberg went on: "When we’re young, it’s our parents we want to make proud, and then it’s our friends, and then it’s our colleagues, and finally, it’s our peers, but you, sir, are peerless.
"You have taken what came before and redefined the canon of American film, and in so doing, you’ve inspired a generation of storytellers who want to make you proud of their work, proud of our work, and I always want to make you proud of my work."
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Some of The Godfather's most famous cast members also took to the stage to gush about Coppola, with Robert De Niro crediting the director for 'changing my life'.
Al Pacino added: "Francis just fought for us long time. He fought for his film and his vision, which he always does." He went on to thank Coppola for 'believing in me even more than I believed in myself'.
Other Hollywood stars like Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, and Dustin Hoffman also paid tributes to the critically acclaimed director.
Coppola is said to have been 'visibly moved' by everyone's kind words.
Topics: Steven Spielberg, Hollywood, Film and TV, News, Celebrity, Entertainment
Niamh Shackleton