Hollywood star Jim Carrey spoke about his French origins – and joked about his language skills – during an emotional speech, after receiving an honorary César from the French Film Academy at the awards ceremony on Thursday in Paris.
Carrey has starred in box office hits such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask and How the Grinch Stole Christmas which showcased his talent for timing and energetic physical comedy.
But he also showed his range with films like The Truman Show, for which he won a Golden Globe in 1998, and garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of a lovelorn man who has all memories of his former girlfriend erased in 2004's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
“As an actor, each character you play is like clay in the sculptor’s hands, which you shape to your heart’s desire," Carrey said. “How fortunate I have been to share this art with so many people who have truly opened their hearts to me."
The actor, 64, has stepped back from movie-making to focus on painting and personal projects, after disclosing his struggles with depression.
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French director Michel Gondry, who directed Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, introduced the former stand-up comic on stage at the L'Olympia concert hall in central Paris at the César awards ceremony on Thursday evening.
Canadian Carrey recounted the story of one of his ancestors, Marc-François Carré, who was born in Saint Malo in north-eastern France and emigrated to Canada 300 years ago.
“Tonight with this magnificent honour, this square [carré in French] has come full circle,” Carrey quipped.
He added: “So, how was my French? Almost mediocre, right? Forgive me, I didn’t speak French, but I’m just learning it. My tongue is tired."
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In the main awards, L'attachement won best film, while Léa Drucker claimed best actress for her role in Case 137 and Laurent Lafitte took the best actor prize for The Richest Woman in the World.
Veteran actor and comedian Franck Dubosc won his first César, for the screenplay for the film Un ours dans le Jura. Dubosc, 62, directed and also starred in the film.
Richard Linklater took home the best director award for the film Nouvelle Vague, about the shooting of Jean-Luc Godard's French New Wave classic Breathless.
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Tribute was paid to Brigitte Bardot, who died in December at the age of 91. Following a string of era-defining films in the 1950s and 1960s, she withdrew from the film world to concentrate on her sanctuary for animals. Several whistles and catcalls accompanied the tribute, due to Bardot's support for far-right political views.
France's new Culture Minister Catherine Pégard attended the gala, having been appointed earlier that day after Rachida Dati resigned the role to focus on her campaign for Paris mayor.
(with newswires)
