Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis honoured

It was the perfect setting.

To the haunting, fading strains of Yeoh Yeoh Ma's deep cello Yitzhak Perlman's violin, First Wives' Club and Cactus Flower ingenue Goldie Hawn announced best composer Tan Dun.

Apt recognition indeed for his brooding, exotic score in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Sir Anthony Hopkins took the stage to announce the Falberg Memorial Award to one of the most fascinating and prolific producers of Hollywood, Dino De Laurentiis producer of over 600 films including Europa 51, King Kong and the Oscar-winning Nights of Cabiria to the recent U-571.

De Laurentiis thanked six beautiful women, whom he owed his all to: His wife and five daughters. He said he was incredibly lucky to have worked through three continents, seen different cultures, through good times more than the bad. He also dedicated the happy hour to the Italian film industry.

His parting words: "Don't be afraid of to dream. And finally, thanks to the people who bought the tickets for my movies."

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