December 16, 2025 | 05:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian filmmaker and actor Joko Anwar was awarded the prestigious Chevalier des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government at a ceremony held at the French Ministry of Culture in Paris.
Established in 1957, the award honours individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of arts and literature, and is conferred across three ranks: Commander, Officer, and Knight.
The 49-year-old filmmaker’s inclusion among the recipients places him alongside distinguished figures such as American director Oliver Stone, Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Canadian Oscar winner Denis Villeneuve, according to Screen Daily.
Beyond the distinction itself, Anwar was recognised for his lasting impact on both Indonesian and international cinema throughout his two-decade-long career. Presenting the honour, French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati praised the director’s ability to craft accessible yet distinctive films while consistently addressing complex social issues.
“He established a unique artistic signature, exploring collective fears, social tensions, myths, and beliefs that shape our collective imagination,” Dati stated.
She continued, “His filmography spans a wide range of genres with rare freedom. He reinvented these genres with deep narrative vision and a singular aesthetic, blending traditional culture, social commentary, and gripping suspense. His films have resonated internationally.”
As noted by Variety, Anwar reflected on his creative philosophy during his acceptance speech, explaining that storytelling has always been his way of addressing difficult conversations.
“Through stories packaged in horror, thrillers, or comedies, I try to talk about things that are often difficult to discuss directly: injustice, power, humans, and the environment in which they live,” he said.
Widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s most influential auteurs, Anwar’s career has been marked by consistent critical and commercial success.
His 2017 horror hit Satan’s Slaves became the highest-grossing Indonesian film of the year and was distributed in more than 40 territories worldwide.
He further cemented his legacy in 2019 by launching Indonesia’s first cinematic superhero universe with Gundala.
Looking ahead, Anwar’s upcoming project is the horror-comedy Ghost in the Cell, co-produced by Barunson E&A and slated for release in 2026. The film is expected to remain true to his signature approach of genre-driven storytelling with social commentary, using a prison setting as a metaphor to explore themes of environmental degradation, power, and moral responsibility.
“Ghost in the Cell is part of the same conversation I’ve always wanted to build through my films,” Anwar noted.
“Using genre to entertain, but also to encourage audiences to think about the world we live in.”
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