Park Chan-wook Awarded France’s Highest Cultural Honor, the Commandeur

Director Park Chanwook has been awarded the Commandeur (Commandeur), the highest grade of the Order of Arts and Letters, which is the most prestigious cultural and artistic decoration given by the French government to foreign artists.

Director Park Chanwook received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the Order of Arts and Letters, from the French government on the morning of the 17th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News.

On the morning of the 17th (local time), Director Park received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government in Cannes, France, where the 79th Cannes Film Festival is being held.

Park is the fourth Korean to receive the Commandeur, following Kim Joungok, then President of the Korea Culture and Arts Foundation in 2002, conductor Chung Myungwhun in 2011, and soprano Jo Sumi in May last year.

The Order of Arts and Letters is an award established by the French Ministry of Culture in 1957 and is given to individuals who have contributed to the development of the arts worldwide, including in France. It is divided into three grades: Commandeur, Officier, and Chevalier, with Commandeur being the highest.

Director Park has a long-standing connection with the Cannes Film Festival, France's representative film festival, earning him the nickname "Cannes Park." He drew international attention by winning the Grand Prix at the 57th Cannes Film Festival with "Oldboy" (2004). He later received the Jury Prize for "Thirst" (2009) and the Best Director Award for "Decision to Leave" (2022).

This year, Director Park was also appointed as the jury president of the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

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