The great David Cronenberg, director of exciting work as diverse as “Videodrome,” “A History of Violence” and the version of “Crash” that doesn’t make us want to commit genocide, is set to receive the Medal of Honor from France, the highest honor one can receive from the French government. Cronenberg’s been a big favorite amongst French film audiences, specifically the Cannes’ filmgoers, but more importantly, this is a gesture that should begin a worldwide appraisal of Cronenberg, who’s been churning out a steady stream of brilliant, transgressive, idiosycratic masterpieces since the late seventies. The ceremony will be held April 1st in Toronto, with France’s ambassador to Canada Francois Delattre bestowing the honor in lieu of French Republic President Nicolas Sarkozy. Cronenberg is currently attached to re-write and direct “The Matarese Circle” with Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington.