Simone Simon in 'La Bête Humaine' 1938: Jean Renoir's film noir (photo: Jean Gabin and Simone Simon in 'La Bête Humaine') (See previous post: "'Cat People' 1942 Actress Simone Simon Remembered.") In the late 1930s, with her Hollywood career stalled while facing competition at 20th Century-Fox from another French import, Annabella (later Tyrone Power's wife), Simone Simon returned to France. Once there, she reestablished herself as an actress to be reckoned with in Jean Renoir's La Bête Humaine. An updated version of Émile Zola's 1890 novel, La Bête Humaine is enveloped in a dark, brooding atmosphere not uncommon in pre-World War II French films. Known for their "poetic realism," examples from that era include Renoir's own The Lower Depths (1936), Julien Duvivier's La Belle Équipe (1936) and Pépé le Moko (1937), and particularly Marcel Carné's Port of Shadows (1938) and Daybreak (1939).[11] This thematic and...
- 2/6/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Veteran actor Sidney Poitier was named a commander in France's order of arts and letters at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. The Oscar winner received the highly coveted award from the French culture minister Renaud Donnedieu De Vabres, who praised him for tearing down barriers for black actors in Hollywood. He told Poitier, "You are the champion of equality between men." The 79-year-old actor thanked his parents, who were field workers in the Bahamas, for giving him a sense of honesty, integrity and compassion. He also credited the filmmakers who gave him acting opportunities, hailing them as "men who chose to change that pattern because it was not democratic, it was not American, it was not human." Poitier broke ground when he became the first actor of African descent to win an Academy Award for Lilies Of The Field in 1963.
- 5/19/2006
- WENN
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz was made a Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier Dans L'Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres) in a ceremony in Paris, France yesterday. The sultry Blow actress, who appeared French film Fanfan La Tulipe three years ago, was honored for her international film career, which includes performances in English, Italian, French and her native Spanish. France's culture minister Renaud Donnedieu De Vabres enthused, "It's France's role to be the ardent defender of cultural diversity and to recognize those who extend, with their talent, the culture of their country. I'm happy to have honored this great European actress." Bashful Cruz, who was joined at the ceremony by her Bandidas co-star Salma Hayek, said, "I'm not sure that I deserve it, but I will do my best so that you won't regret it." Previous Hollywood recipients of the arts honors include Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Bruce Willis - who received titles last year.
- 1/12/2006
- WENN
Hollywood hardman Bruce Willis was honored in Paris yesterday for his contribution to the film industry, by the French government. The 50-year-old actor was made Officier Dans L'ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres (Officer In The Order Of Arts And Letters) at a ceremony in the capital, where he was presented his honor by French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu De Vabres. Donnedieu de Vabres said, "This is France's way of paying tribute to an actor who epitomizes the strength of American cinema, the power of the emotions that he invites us to share on the world's screens and the sturdy personalities of his legendary characters." The Die Hard star said in French, he was "very touched" to receive his medal, adding, "Thank you France and Culture Minister for this great, great honor." Last month British filmmaker Alan Parker was made Knight Of The Order Of Arts And Letters, while actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese were also honored by the French government with similar titles earlier this year.
- 4/14/2005
- WENN
Legendary director Martin Scorsese and actor Leonardo DiCaprio have been honored with France's most prestigious cultural awards. Goodfellas filmmaker Scorsese was presented with the Legion of Honor at the annual ceremony in Paris on Wednesday. The title is in recognition of his contribution to cinema. DiCaprio, recently Scorsese's collaborator on Gangs Of New York and The Aviator, was named Commander of the Order of the Arts and Letters. Presenting Scorsese's honor, French culture minister Renaud Donnedieu De Vabres said, "Dear Martin Scorsese, the combat for the right of creators and cultural diversity brings together all of those who on both sides of the Atlantic and from all continents take it upon themselves to defend the expressions of identity and creation across all cultures." An "extremely, extremely honored" DiCaprio was described by De Vabres as an "icon, little Hollywood prince, bad boy from Los Angeles, modern romantic hero, Peter Pan of American cinema".
- 1/7/2005
- WENN
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