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Romanian actress Medeea Marinescu on Thursday was presented a French National Merit in rank of Knight decoration at a ceremony hosted by the French Embassy in Bucharest, with Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos and Culture Minister Corina Suteu in attendance.
Host Francois Saint-Paul, the French ambassador to Romania, accompanied Marinescu on piano, for a short recital before the award ceremony.
In a speech to the ceremony, Saint-Paul mentioned the Marinescu's thespian talents as well as her involvement in social causes.
"You are so beautiful," he told the actress, a reference to the eponymous film by French director Isabelle Mergault starring Marinescu.
Saint-Paul also mentioned Marinescu's career that started in her childhood, and her presence in cult movies.
"But Mrs Marinescu, dear Medeea, your merits ate not limited to your thespian talents. You are also committed, in the best sense of the word, having offered this embassy your commitment and generosity," said Saint-Paul.
He also said that Marinescu accepted to be the ambassador of the Paris Climate Change Conference 2015.
"You have not spared your time or efforts for this important cause," said Saint-Paul.
He added that in her speeches, Marinescu underscores the fact that "climate change concerns should not be the concerns of the rich only".
"This is not a cause for the privileged ones who have time, money and the luxury to deal with it," said Saint-Paul.
Medeea Marinescu talked in her turn about her personal relationship with France.
"Mr Ambassador, I am sure we have at least two things in common - care for the environment and passion for jazz music," Marinescu told the ambassador.
"I am 'the East's daughter' - as the initial title of the 'Je vous trouve tres beau' (You Are So beautiful) was. I am also 'the little Romanian woman,' as director Georges Lautner calls me," said Marinescu, adding that she was privileged to work with French actors and be "adopted" by the French public.
Medeea Marinescu's filmography includes "Saltimbancii" (Circus Performers) (1981); "Maria Mirabela" (1981); "Promisiuni" (Promises) (1985); "Domnisoara Christina" (Miss Christina) (1992); "Patul lui Procust" (Bed of Procust) (2001); TV series "Doctori de mame" (Mother Doctors) (2008) and "Weekend cu mama" (Weekend with Mom) (2009).
She has been a constant presence in France, starring in TV series such as "Une mere comme on n'en fait plus" (A Mother Like No Other) by Jacques Renard (1997) and "Le Record" (The Record) by Edwin Baily (1999).
She has received accolades from the Francophone public for her performance in "Je vous trouve tres beau" (You Are So Beautiful) (2005), directed by Isabelle Mergault, alongside Michel Blanc, the story of a young Romanian mother who gets to France's countryside via a matchmaking agency, as well as her part in "Donnant, donnant," (Fair is Fair) by Isabelle Mergault, where he starred along Daniel Auteuil.
Medeea Marinescu is also a highly-acclaimed stage actress, having performed in Bucharest, London, Brussels and Paris.
