George Lucas to be honoured

Los Angeles, July 4 (IANS) Filmmaker George Lucas will receive the US government’s highest arts honour from President Barack Obama next week.

The 69-year-old will be presented with The National Medal of Arts at the White House July 12, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

A statement from the President’s office read: “By combining the art of storytelling with boundless imagination and cutting-edge techniques, Mr. Lucas has transported us to new worlds and created some of the most beloved and iconic films of all time.”

Others to be honoured at the same ceremony include record label boss Herb Alpert, playwright Tony Kushner and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Elaine May.

Previous recipients include actors Al Pacino, Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep; singers-songwriters James Taylor and Bob Dylan; and record producer Quincy Jones.