Johnny Depp honors Tim Burton

[Michael]

Depp presents Burton career Golden Lion award

VENICE, Italy -- Longtime collaborators Tim Burton and Johnny Depp provided the starpower Wednesday at the Venice Film Festival as Burton received the career Golden Lion award and his frequent leading man handled presenting duties.

Burton and Depp drew most of the attention on the Lido after helmer Quentin Tarantino was forced to cancel a planned visit. Tarantino was the ceremonial head of the Venice festival's Spaghetti Westerns sidebar but was forced to drop out because of a back injury, he told the festival in a letter.

"My heart is broken not to be able to see all the Spaghetti Westerns scheduled for the festival," wrote Tarantino, a well-known fan of the genre.

But the crowds still found much to cheer with the arrival of Burton and, particularly Depp, who chatted with fans, signed autographs and posed for photographers for more than 10 minutes before heading in to present Burton with the award.

"It's a very big honor to present Tim with this award," Depp said. "He is my favorite director and a very close friend."


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