Director Park Chan-wook Honored with France’s Commander Medal, Shares Dream of Filming in France

Director Park Chan-wook was honored by the French government with the prestigious Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) on the morning of the 17th (local time)! He received the highest rank, Commandeur (Commander).

The French Order of Arts and Letters is a distinguished honor bestowed by the French government upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to culture and arts. It’s divided into three ranks: Commandeur (Commander), Officier (Officer), and Chevalier (Knight), with Commandeur being the top-tier!

After receiving the prestigious medal, Director Park Chan-wook shared his heartfelt thoughts in an acceptance speech. He began, “First, my parents come to mind. They are both elderly and unwell, but I’m sure this news will be a wonderful gift for them. Looking back, I believe they made me feel connected to France because they raised me Catholic. Even though I no longer attend church, the impressions I gained from going to church as a child left a deep mark on me. Most notably, the images of various martyrs being cruelly tortured and executed left a profound impression on me.”

He continued, “The peak of my connection with France was undoubtedly the 2004 Cannes Film Festival,” reminiscing about the moment he won the Grand Prix for his film ‘Oldboy.’ Director Park shared, “That event was truly the biggest turning point for me. Simply put, it completely transformed my life. That connection has continued, leading me back to Cannes as the jury president. I feel incredibly moved and proud by this exchange of cultural and artistic inspiration, as I’ve received so much influence from France and continue to do so, and I feel I’m also giving some influence to young French directors.”

Director Park concluded with a heartfelt revelation: “Now, my last remaining wish is to someday shoot a film in France, to shoot a film with French actors. That seems to be the only thing left for me to do!”

Thank you all for coming. As you mentioned, we’ve already become friends since we met in Seoul, so I feel comfortable calling you by your first names. Thank you, Catherine. I’m not sure if my life is worthy enough to have such wonderful people stand and listen for so long.

First, my parents come to mind. They are both elderly and unwell now, but I’m certain this news will be a wonderful gift for them. Looking back, I believe they made me feel connected to France because they raised me Catholic. Even though I no longer attend church, the impressions I gained from going to church as a child left a deep mark on me. Most notably, the images of various martyrs being cruelly tortured and executed left a profound impression on me. So, when people ask me why my films are so violent, I always respond, ‘It’s because of France!’ And although the Minister mentioned James Bond films, Westerns, and British films, the truth is, the films that influenced me most as a child were French films. I’ve never said this before, fearing people would laugh because it doesn’t quite align with my own films, but watching Julien Duvivier’s ‘Marianne of My Youth’ as a child truly left a deep impression on me. I’ve been hiding it until now, worried people would ask, ‘Why does someone influenced by such beautiful films make *these* kinds of movies?’ but now I confess!

When I went to university, it was a period of intense student movements, so I extensively read and learned about France’s May 1968 revolution. I was also deeply influenced by French existentialism, including Sartre. So, perhaps you in France would be surprised to discover how widely read and popular Camus’s ‘The Stranger’ is among young Koreans! It was only around my university graduation that I belatedly discovered Émile Zola and Balzac. Watching that film as a child, it felt like I was synthesizing all the influences of romanticism and the critical perspective of revolution. Reading Zola and Balzac, I gained a very cold observation and analysis of humanity and society, and through that, all the influences I received from France seemed to synthesize within me.

And above all, the absolute peak of my connection with France was undoubtedly the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. That event was truly the biggest turning point for me. Simply put, it completely changed my life! It was Thierry (Frémaux)’s unimaginable choice, and it profoundly shocked me, and that connection has continued, leading me back to Cannes today as the jury president.

As much as I have received immense influence from France and continue to do so, and as much as I feel I am giving some influence to young French directors myself, this reality of exchanging cultural and artistic inspiration feels incredibly moving and deeply proud to me.

Now, my last remaining wish is to someday shoot a film in France, to shoot a film with French actors. That seems to be the only thing left for me to do. Thank you.