Museum of Tolerance to honor Clint Eastwood in November

Clint Eastwood, whose most famous movie roles were trigger-happy vigilantes but whose directorial work has shown a more open-minded world view, will receive an award from the Museum of Tolerance this fall.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker will accept the museum's Tolerance Award that will be presented as part of its first international film festival, which is devoted to showcasing movies that address human rights issues. The Eastwood ceremony will take place at the festival's main gala on Nov. 14 in Los Angeles.

In a statement, Rabbi Marvin Hier, the founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance, said that Eastwood is "a superb choice for this award, which celebrates those whose work shines a light on themes of acceptance, inclusion, tolerance and forgiveness."

Though he rose to fame as the gun-toting Man with No Name and the insensitive Dirty Harry, Eastwood has spent the later part of his career making movies that not only question the nature of violence but also advocate greater social acceptance.

As a director, he has gravitated toward stories that criticize masculine violence ("Mystic River," "Unforgiven"), interrogate the necessity of war ("Flags of Our Fathers," "Letters from Iwo Jima"), explore racial intolerance ("Gran Torino," "Invictus") and embrace nontraditional families ("Million Dollar Baby," "A Perfect World").

Eastwood's latest film, "Hereafter," is slated to open in the U.S. on Oct. 22.

The full lineup for the museum's 2010 film festival is expected to be announced in October. The festival is scheduled to run from Nov. 13 to 18 at the museum's three theaters in L.A.

-- David Ng

Photo: Clint Eastwood. Credit: Warren Toda / EPA

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Comments

[Sherman Unkefer]

I have loved how Clint Eastwood has matured over the years and has made thoughtful artwork. Bravo to him and this well deserved accolade.