As the American Film Institute paid tribute to Francis Ford Coppola with its 50th Life Achievement Award, the acclaimed director celebrated a homecoming of sorts. In his acceptance speech during Friday’s gala at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles,

AFI Life Achievement Award presentation is always a starry night in Hollywood, but Saturday’s ceremony at the Dolby Theatre brought together legendary stars from a seemingly bygone era of cinema to honor Francis Ford Coppola.