Apichatpong Weerasethakul Receives France's Legion of Honor
On June 10, the French Embassy in Bangkok honored Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul with the prestigious Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. French ambassador Jean-Claude Poimboeuf presented the accolade, recognizing Weerasethakul's significant contributions to cinema and fostering cultural links between Thailand and France. The filmmaker, born in 1970 in Bangkok, received his MFA in 1997. His acclaimed films include 'Bullet' (1993), 'Tropical Malady' (2004), and 'Memoria' (2021). He established Kick the Machine in 1999 and was instrumental in launching the Bangkok Experimental Film Festival. His next project, 'Jenjira's Magnificent Dream,' is set for release in 2027.
Key facts
- Apichatpong Weerasethakul received the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor on June 10.
- The award was presented by French ambassador Jean-Claude Poimboeuf at the French embassy in Bangkok.
- Weerasethakul was born in Bangkok in 1970 and raised in Khon Kaen by Thai Chinese parents.
- He earned an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997.
- 'Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives' (2010) won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
- 'Memoria' (2021) won the Jury Prize at the 74th Cannes Film Festival.
- He founded Kick the Machine in 1999 and co-founded the Bangkok Experimental Film Festival in 1997.
- His upcoming film 'Jenjira's Magnificent Dream' is scheduled for 2027.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- French embassy in Bangkok
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Kick the Machine
- Bangkok Experimental Film Festival
- M+
- Centre Pompidou
- Documenta 13
- Sharjah Biennial 11
- 12th Gwangju Biennale
- Asia Pacific Screen Awards
- Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema
- Cannes Film Festival
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Khon Kaen
- France
- Hong Kong
- Paris
- Kassel
- Sharjah
- Gwangju
- Australia
- Buenos Aires
- Sri Lanka