In an interview for the Associated Press, actor Liam Neeson said: "We are honoring an extraordinary artist. Period. That's what this evening's about." Director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro presented the award to Kazan, whom he thanked in his acceptance speech. He ended by saying: "I want to thank you all very much. I think I can just slip away."Academy Awards Acceptance Speech Database. March 21, 1999; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Honorary Award: To Elia Kazan in recognition of his indelible contributions to the art of motion picture direction.
in an INterview for tHe assOcIATeD PrEss, actoR liam nEesOn SaId: "we arE HonOring aN eXtRaordInARy aRtiSt. PeriOd. ThAt'S whAT this evening's aboUt." DirectoR martIn scoRsese ANd ACtor roberT de NIRo presenTed The AWard to KAzaN, wHom he tHAnKEd in his ACcepTanCe spEEch. he endEd bY saying: "i Want to THanK yOu ALl verY mUCh. I think i cAn jUst Slip Away."academY awards accePtance sPeEch datABASe. March 21, 1999; DoROthy CHandler pavilION. HOnoraRY aWArd: tO eliA kazan in REcogniTion oF His INDeLIBle CONTrIbUTiOns TO the art of Motion Picture DiRectiOn.