Aurélie Filippetti, French Minister of Culture, will confer Anurag Kashyap, filmmaker and producer, with the award ‘Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres’ (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters at a ceremony during the Cannes Film Festival on May 20. The honour is bestowed upon people for extraordinary contribution in the field of art and culture by the French government.

“Last year, at the Cannes Film Festival, his film ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (complete version) received a standing ovation when it was premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight. This film was distributed commercially in France a few months back and received plaudits from the French public and press. France has a tradition of supporting artists from all over the world. Bestowing the insignia of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters on Mr. Anurag Kashyap, is a recognition of his artistic talent and career, and his notable efforts for the promotion of Indian cinema in the world,” said François Richier, Ambassador of France to India.

Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Ugly’ will premiere at the Directors’ Fortnight. The portmanteau film ‘Bombay Talkies’ slated to have a gala screening at the festival has a segment directed by Kashyap. Kashyap is also the co-producer of two Indian films that will be screened at Cannes this year – Amit Kumar’s ‘Monsoon Shootout’ (Midnight Screening) and Ritesh Batra’s ‘Dabba’ (Critics Week).

India is the guest country at the 66th Cannes Film Festival that concludes on May 26. The guest country selection incidentally coincides with the centennial of Indian cinema.