Vietnamese director wins top French art honour

HÀ NỘI — The Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters has been conferred on film director Đặng Nhật Minh for his contributions to enhancing cultural understanding between Việt Nam and France.

He received his award during a ceremony at the French Embassy in Việt Nam on March 31.

At the event, director Đặng Nhật Minh thanked the French Ministry of Culture, French Embassy in Việt Nam, Việt Nam Union of Literature and Arts, Việt Nam Cinema Association and colleagues who helped him complete the film projects.

“I am very pleased to receive The Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture. This is a great honour for me, a Vietnamese filmmaker,” he said.

Nicolas Warnery, French Ambassador to Việt Nam, appreciates Minh’s humanistic films that were premiered in France, film projects of cooperation between the two countries during his time as General Secretary of the Việt Nam Cinema Association, and his efforts as a French translator for filmmakers in Việt Nam.

He emphasised that this is a noble medal given to those who create outstanding art or make significant contributions to the promotion of culture in France and around the world.

Đỗ Lệnh Hùng Tú, chairman of the Việt Nam Cinema Association, said that director Đặng Nhật Minh is one of the leading filmmakers in Việt Nam whose works are created with talent, enthusiasm and great social responsibility of a true artist.

“He contributed to creating the image of a progressive, humane, and full of identity Vietnamese cinema,” Tú said.

He also recalled the success of Minh’s films at home and at many international film festivals, including the movie Bao Giờ Cho Đến Tháng Mười (When the Tenth Month Comes) was voted one of Asia’s best films.

“When the Tenth Month Comes” was listed as one of the best 18 Asian films of all times by CNN. — Photo courtesy of the Vietnam Feature Film Studio

Đặng Nhật Minh is one of the few Vietnamese directors with global renown. The self-taught filmmaker made highly acclaimed films such as Bao Giờ Cho Đến Tháng Mười (When the Tenth Month Comes) and Đừng Đốt (Don’t Burn).

When the Tenth Month Comes was listed as one of the best 18 Asian films of all times by CNN whilst Don’t Burn was the Vietnamese representative at the 82nd Academy Award in the US.

A scene from the film “Don’t Burn”. — Photo courtesy of BHD Productions

The Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters has been awarded since 1957 by the French Ministry of Culture to individuals who have distinguished themselves in artistic and literary creation, or who have contributed to illuminating art and literature in France and around the world.

Many artists in Việt Nam have received this medal, such as writer Nguyễn Huy Thiệp, writer Ngô Tự Lập, director Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp, Nguyễn Ngọc Lan – Director of the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF), Meritorious Artist Trần Vương Thạch – Director of the HCM City Symphony and Ballet Theatre, Vũ Thị Minh Hương, Director of the Department of State Records and Archives of Việt Nam. VnExpress News