CLINT EASTWOOD - EASTWOOD HONOURED BY AFI

Actor/director CLINT EASTWOOD has been branded a "national treasure" by the American Film Institute (AFI) - with his work named the "greatest cinematic work of this century". The DIRTY HARRY actor was praised by the AFI at the Moments Of Significance ceremony on Wednesday (27DEC06) for his World War II movie FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS and its Japanese-language counterpart LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. The AFI felt Eastwood's works "not only complement one another, but they resonate together to create one of the great motion picture experiences of the new century." Director ROBERT ALTMAN, who died last month (NOV06), was also honoured for his contribution to the cinematic world. A spokesperson for the AFI says, "(Altman was) a true maverick of American film. "His body of work - both in film and television - reflects an exceptional diversity in genre, but always with his indelible signature. From overlapping dialogue to the epic ensemble pieces filled with actors who revered him, Altman's style continues to inspire artists and audiences alike."