France honors Jeon with cultural merit

The French government saluted Jeon Do-youn for her contribution to France's culture, presenting the Cannes award-winner with a cultural merit of honor over the weekend.

The 36-year-old actress was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres medal by French Minister of Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac at an event for French filmmakers on the sideline of this year's Pusan International Film Festival on Saturday.

"The reason we are happily gathered here today is to pay homage to actress Jeon Do-youn," Idrac said, adding it is "now France's turn to express its acknowledgement to one whose charm has been recognized internationally."

Irdac continued to laud the actress, saying her acting is comparable to those of global actresses such as Sophia Loren, Isabelle Adjani and Simone Signoret, also previous winners of the silver pin.

The award is one of the three levels of cultural order established in 1957 by the France's Minister of Culture and confirmed in 1963 as part of the National Order by President Charles de Gaulle.

"My career is still insignificant and I think this is only the beginning," a humble Jeon said but also promising to try harder to return France's gesture.

The actress has received over dozens of top recognitions on both the small and big screen since her debut in 1990. She won the award for Best Actress at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival for her role in film "Secret Sunshine" by director Lee Chang-dong.


Reporter : Wee Geun-woo eight@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Jang Kyung-Jin three@10asia.co.kr