HÀ NỘI – Film director Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp has received a congratulatory letter from French Culture Minister Audrey Azoulay, announcing that she has been awarded the Knight of Arts and Letters title.

The director has won the Chevaliers des Lettres et des Arts award for her contribution to the development of culture.

Điệp received the congratulatory letter yesterday morning, even as she had forgotten her nomination last December.

“I always think the ‘Knight’ is a legendary title,” said Điệp. “It is unbelievable that I have received such a legendary title for my small work.

“It is more than surprising because I think my work and I are very small. In fact, I’m a little shy because I have made only one motion picture. I never thought that one day I would be awarded the title of ‘Knight’.

“Sometimes I get disappointed with filmmaking. I don’t see any common point between a knight and myself. For me, a knight is a hero who fights for justice. From the bottom of my heart, I wish I could make films that promote the beauty of cinema.”

Born in 1982, Điệp graduated in filmmaking from the Theatre and Cinema College and is emerging as an independent filmmaker in Việt Nam.

She made her first movie entitled Đập Cánh Giữa Không Trung (Flapping In The Middle of Nowhere) in 2013. The movie has been screened at and has won many prizes at domestic and international film festivals.

These awards include the 2014 Venice International Film Critic’s Week; Best Director at the 16th International Film Festival Bratislava in Slovakia; the Jury’s Special Mention at the Festival of the Three Continents - an annual film festival in Nantes, France; besides a Special Prize at the third Hà Nội International Film Festival (HANIFF).

The Chevaliers des Lettres et des Arts award was established in 1975 by France’s General de Gaulle. The title of Knight of Arts and Letters is given to people with outstanding achievements or who have made great contribution to the arts and literature of France and the world.Many other Vietnamese have won the title, such as folk artist Trần Kích; dancer Nguyễn Công Nhạc, former director of Việt Nam National Opera and Ballet; film director Đặng Nhật Minh; and fashion designer Minh Hạnh; as well as musician Nguyễn Vĩnh Bảo; and artist Lê Bá Đảng. — VNS