Godard won't attend Governors Awards

No reason was given for the 79-year-old filmmaker's absence from the planned Nov. 13 event.

"He reiterated his thanks for the award," Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom

Sherak said in a statement, "and also sent his good wishes to the other individuals being honored the same night -- Kevin Brownlow, Francis Ford Coppola and Eli Wallach -- who he refers to as 'the three other musketeers.'"

The ceremony, which is being produced by Sid Ganis and Don Mischer, will pay tribute to Godard through film clips and commentary by his admirers.

The award will be accepted on Godard's behalf by the Academy and following the event, the Academy will arrange for the Oscar statuette to be delivered to him in Switzerland, Sherak said.

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