Posted on 09/15/2004 8:13:27 PM PDT by O.C. - Old Cracker
PARIS (Reuters) - President Jacques Chirac made U.S. film director Steven Spielberg a knight in the French Legion of Honor on Sunday, hailing him as a great filmmaker committed to fighting hatred and intolerance.
Chirac praised Spielberg's ability to touch people and said films such as "Schindler's List" ensured the world did not forget about acts of heroism in dark periods of history.
"In this difficult time when intolerance, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and fanaticism are on the rise again, it is essential that cinema, which touches each one of us deep inside, recalls the horror of what is unutterable," Chirac said at a ceremony in the presidential Elysee Palace. "It is essential that this form of eminently popular expression and creativity reminds everyone of the disastrous effects of hatred, intolerance and the rejection of others."
Accepting France's top award, Spielberg hailed France's efforts to fight anti-Semitism. The country has witnessed a wave of attacks against Jews and Muslims and their property in recent months.
"We have to work very, very hard to make people understand that we have to celebrate people's differences and not condemn them," he said.
Muslims have been attacked in France? I hadn't heard about that. I guess France's 1% Jewish population has been retaliating against its 5 million Arab Muslims. Uh-huh. Where's my airsick bag?
I thought for sure the ribbon would be yellow and be worn down ones back....
Those two are made for each other.
Next it will be M. Moore.
So Spielberg who makes movies against hate and intolerance is given a French award, while President Reagan who freed millions from hate and intolerance gets nothing.
Okay.
The runner-up's award.
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