Director Jeong Ju-ri of "Dora" receives the French Order of Arts and Letters, Chevalier

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Director Jeong Ju-ri of the film "Dora" has been awarded the Chevalier of the French Order of Arts and Letters.

According to the French Embassy in South Korea, a "2026 French Night" event was held on the 10th at Paradise Hotel Busan during the Busan International Film Festival to promote exchange and friendship between French and Korean film professionals.

At the event, Director Jeong Ju-ri of the film "Dora" received the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters).

The Order of Arts and Letters is an award given by the French Ministry of Culture to individuals who have left creative achievements in the fields of art and culture, or who have contributed to the development of French and global arts and culture.

Michel Miraille, Chargé d'Affaires at the French Embassy in South Korea, who directly presented the medal, introduced Director Jeong Ju-ri's bond with the French film industry spanning more than 10 years. He stated that all three of her films were selected by Cannes: the invitation of her first feature film "Doheeya" to Un Certain Regard at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, the selection of "Next Sohee" as the closing film of Semaine de la Critique (Critics' Week) in 2022, and the invitation of this year's "Dora" to Quinzaine des Cinéastes (Directors' Fortnight). He remarked, "It seems fair to say that the Cannes Film Festival is now your most consistent supporter and enthusiastic fan." He further praised her work by saying, "Your films reveal characters who are not flashy but strong and solid, portraying them with a delicate gaze."

In particular, regarding "Dora," which was completed as a co-production between South Korea, France, and Luxembourg, he noted its significance, stating that it "shows that the relationship between French and Korean cinema is moving beyond simply introducing each other's films to a stage where they create projects together and produce something new through collaboration."

Director Jeong Ju-ri expressed deep gratitude for the Order of Arts and Letters, saying, "I wondered if I was worthy of the honor. But I thought of the French audiences I met across France, in Paris, Cannes, Metz, Strasbourg, and elsewhere." She added, "Through their encouragement, I reaffirmed the power of cinema that 'life on screen can become a story for all of us.'" She continued, "With that strength, I was able to find the courage to make a co-production film of an unprecedented form," adding, "With this great encouragement today, I will try again and work even harder."

Also at the ceremony that day, cinematographer Jang Byung-wook of "Everyone Is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness" became the first recipient in South Korea of the Angélique Cinematography Award.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original