US honours Catherine Deneuve

An exceptional honour for Catherine Deneuve.

The legendary French actress was in New York on Monday to receive the 39th annual Chaplin Gala Award. It's an honour that began in 1972 for exiled actor Charlie Chaplin and has since been bestowed on a number of stand-outs in the film industry.

Deneuve was surprised that a French actor was chosen this time.

SOUNDBITE: Catherine Deneuve, saying (English):

"I was very surprised frankly, being a French actress I was really quite amazed they would choose me."

Catherine Deneuve was accompanied to the ceremony by her actor-daughter Chiara Mastroianni. A well-known French film star herself, Mastroianni told media that she firmly distinguished between Catherine Deneuve, her Mum, and Catherine Deneuve, the actress:

SOUNDBITE: Chiara Mastroianni, Deneuve's daughter, saying (English):

"I never mix up the screen and the life is alike. So I like 'Donkey Skin' I was just happy to think it was my mom with this very long blonde hair, you know, she just looked gorgeous."

With a career that spans nearly 55 years, Deneuve's has won numerous awards including an Oscar nomination and two best actress Cesar trophies. For some of her fellow acting colleagues, she is someone to aspire to.

SOUNDBITE: Glenn Close, actress, saying (English):

"I think she's probably the quintessential film actress, I think she has one of those faces that is just beautiful and whatever age she is and I aspire to have the longevity of Catherine Denueve and her class and her wonderful choices at what she does. She does comedy, she does drama, she does, you know - she's done it all, so it's very exciting to be here to celebrate her."

Mirja Mey, Reuters.