Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese Honored with the Legion of Honor They were decorated by Emmanuel Macron in person
On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Emmanuel Macron presented the Legion of Honor to two icons of American cinema during a ceremony held Tuesday evening at Villa Albertine, the French cultural institution nestled in the heart of Manhattan and notably supported by Cartier and Chanel. The Head of State paid tribute to the careers and achievements of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro.
Exceptional distinctions
@tribeca two legends, one trend #fyp #goodnightbro #martinscorsese #robertdeniro @Francesca original sound - tribeca
Director Martin Scorsese, 83, was elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor. This high distinction honors his monumental body of work, as well as his ongoing fight for the preservation of world cinema heritage and his support for independent theaters.
For his part, Robert De Niro, also 83, was named Officer of the Legion of Honor. The director's favorite actor - with whom he shares ten iconic collaborations, from Taxi Driver to Goodfellas - was recognized for his support of media literacy and independent audiovisual creation.
In attendance that evening were several figures from the film world, including Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as the French artist JR. The photographer captured the event on his Instagram account through a series of black-and-white photos and videos showcasing the two legends' camaraderie, which were quickly picked up by media outlets around the globe.
Culture at the heart of the presidential agenda
This New York event comes as part of a month focused heavily on cinema for the French President. Earlier in September, Emmanuel Macron presided over the inaugural "Lumière Summit" in Saint-Paul-de-Vence alongside South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The international gathering aimed to shape the future of the industry, particularly in response to the challenges of artificial intelligence, the economic model of cinema, and the expansion of youth media literacy.
By honoring two figures deeply tied to the history of American cinema, France reaffirms its role as a protector of the arts and international film heritage. Between cultural diplomacy in New York and commitments made on the French Riviera, President Emmanuel Macron's message is clear: protect independent creation and secure the future of the moving image amidst upcoming technological transformations.
