Francis Ford Coppola was honored by a star-studded group of friends and collaborators on Saturday night as he received this year’s AFI Life Achievement Award at the Dolby Theatre. The American Film Institute event celebrated its 50th anniversary, with many notable figures paying tribute to the iconic director.
Morgan Freeman kicked off the evening by praising Coppola for his independent filmmaking spirit, stating that he had “moved profoundly” by his films despite not having been involved in any of them. Other honorees included Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Robert De Niro, and Adam Driver, all of whom spoke about Coppola’s impact on their careers.
Driver, who starred in Coppola’s most recent film Megalopolis, gave a passionate speech about the director’s bravery in pursuing his artistic vision, even when it meant risking financial losses. The A-list speeches were interspersed with scenes from Coppola’s films and video clips of an interview between him and daughter Sofia.
The event also featured performances by Josh Groban and a tribute to Coppola from Spielberg, who called The Godfather “the greatest American film ever made.” Lucas praised Coppola for teaching him the importance of taking risks in filmmaking. In his acceptance speech, Coppola reflected on the enduring power of art and the sense of community that had brought the evening together.
The AFI Life Achievement Award will premiere on TNT on June 18, followed by an encore airing on TCM on July 31.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/francis-ford-coppola-afi-life-achievement-tribute-1236201690