Filmmaker Ivory receives Gallic honor

James Ivory has several ideas he would like to bring to the screen next, the filmmaker said here Tuesday night before being honored with the Trophee des Arts at a black-tie dinner gala.

Uma Thurman lauded the director to much applause and a standing ovation at swanky Manhattan landmark Gotham Hall after rushing crosstown from the Gotham Awards, New York's top honors for independent film.

The Trophee des Arts pays tribute to artists who have promoted a better understanding between the French and American peoples.

The gala also featured a sneak preview of Ivory's upcoming "City of Your Final Destination." The drama starring Anthony Hopkins, Laura Linney and Charlotte Gainsbourg is his first film since the death of longtime partner Ismail Merchant.

"It's not as much fun or as efficient without Ismail, but I'm still going," Ivory told The Hollywood Reporter. "There are a lot of things I want to accomplish."

One project he hopes to do in Texas is based on Horton Foote's play "The Widow Claire," the filmmaker said.

A second project that he has been mulling for a while is a film of Shakespeare's "Richard II."

Asked about the Hollywood writers strike, Ivory said he is a member of the Writers Guild of America but not affected "because I'm not working on anything right now."

Thurman, who appeared in Ivory's 2000 feature "The Golden Bowl," praised the director as "a beautiful example of what a global artist can be."

In accepting the honor, Ivory earned laughs when he said that his English films seem to be his most popular works with French people.

"In over 40 years as the head of Merchant Ivory Productions, Mr. Ivory has created an unparalleled collection of films that have captured the spirit of La Belle France," organizers said in explaining his selection for this year's award.

The annual awards gala raises funds for cultural and educational programs of the French Institute Alliance Francaise. Last year's honoree was Charlie Rose.