Park Chan-wook Receives France's Highest Arts Honor
On May 17, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, French culture minister Catherine Pégard presented Park Chan-wook with the Commandeur de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres, making him the first Korean director to receive this honor. Born in Seoul in 1963, Park is a key player in contemporary cinema, known for his films that mix psychological depth with social insights, moral questions, and dark humor. His Cannes achievements include the Grand Prix for Oldboy (2003), the Jury Prize for Thirst (2009), and Best Director for Decision to Leave (2022). He has also won the Alfred Bauer Prize at Berlin for I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2007) and a BAFTA for The Handmaiden (2016). Currently, he's the jury president for the 79th Cannes Film Festival, happening from May 12 to 23.
Key facts
- Park Chan-wook received the Commandeur de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres on May 17.
- He is the first Korean filmmaker to receive the order's highest rank.
- The award was presented by French culture minister Catherine Pégard at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.
- Park has won three Cannes awards: Grand Prix for Oldboy (2003), Jury Prize for Thirst (2009), Best Director for Decision to Leave (2022).
- He also won the Alfred Bauer Prize at Berlin (2007), Golden Bear for Night Fishing (2011), and BAFTA for The Handmaiden (2016).
- In South Korea, he received the Eungwan (Silver Crown) in 2022.
- Choi Hwi-young, South Korea's minister of culture, sports, and tourism, praised the honor.
- Park is jury president of the 79th Cannes Film Festival (May 12–23).
Entities
Artists
- Park Chan-wook
- Park Chan-kyong
Institutions
- French Ministry of Culture
- Cannes Film Festival
- Berlin International Film Festival
- British Academy of Film and Television Arts
- South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Cannes
- France
- Seoul
- South Korea