#News: John Carpenter Honored at the Cannes Film Festival

In an extraordinary event, though already announced, the Cannes Film Festival paid tribute to horror master John Carpenter on Wednesday night, with a recognition for his contribution to cinema.

Carpenter — also known for classics such as "Halloween" and "Escape from New York" — was awarded the Carrosse D'Or, presented by the French directors' association at the opening ceremony of Directors' Fortnight, an event held as part of Cannes on the French Riviera.

The gala took place in an atmosphere of electronic music, fitting given that the filmmaker is also a renowned composer who has created most of the soundtracks for his films.

Carpenter, an American who lives in California, said in his speech that he was fascinated to see how characters emerge from the beams of light coming from a projector, ever since his first visit to a movie theater at age 3, when he saw "The African Queen" with Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.

"It's that journey the audience takes through the world of light and the shadows surrounding it that makes me proud to be part of it," he said.

The festival's official selection opened with the zombie film "The Dead Don't Die" on Tuesday night. Director Jim Jarmusch cited Carpenter as a reference and inspiration in horror cinema.

With information from Reuters.

Photo: Cannes Film Festival