Marrakech (Morocco) (AFP)

Tribute and standing ovation for a living legend of the cinema: American actor, director and producer Robert Redford received, Friday night in Marrakech, a prize of honor for his whole career.

"I was in Marrakech for the last time in 2001 for the shooting of Spy game, and it feels good to be back," said the 83-year-old actor, guest star of the 18th edition of the Festival du Marrakesh, (November 29 to December 7), a year after the legendary duo Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro.

"I come from a family of storytellers, and, as a child, I was amazed to hear + once upon a time" because "stories captivate us, provoke us, inspire us, and finally connect us to each other ", he said under the applause of the audience.

"Today we live in a complex world, where darkness seems to prevail (...) that's why I created the Sundance Institute to support independent voices that do not find their place in the dominant culture" he continued, his eyes blue and his smile radiant.

An award was then given by French director Rebecca Zlotowski and Franco-Italian actress Chiara Mastroianni.

Robert Redford is not just a legend on the big screen. He is also an activist, from the cause of independent cinema to that of the environment.

His acting talent and his long youthful flair allowed him to perform in more than 70 roles, from "Butch Cassidy and the kid" (1969) to "Our best years", through "The Scam" (1973), "All is Lost" (2013) ...

In 2002, Hollywood awarded him an "Oscar of Honor" for his entire career and his support for "innovative and independent directors".

In 1980, he founded the Sundance Institute to train young filmmakers, and a year later the Sundance Festival in the Utah mountains (west) where he settled in the 1960s. .

Filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh and Quentin Tarantino made their debut in this festival, which became the biggest film in the United States.

Anxious to be able to expose the subjects that are close to his heart, he gives a place of choice to documentaries.

His love of the cinema encourages him to pass behind the camera, with "People like the others" who, in 1981, won the Oscar for Best Film and Best Direction, before realizing "In the middle is a river" ( 1992), "Quiz Show" (1994), "The man who whispered in the ears of horses" (1998), "Lions and Lambs" (2007) or "Under surveillance" (2012).

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