PARIS – The French Minister of Culture, Madam Rachida Dati conferred upon Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar the title of Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
This is one of France’s highest distinctions awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to culture and the arts.
The ceremony took place at the French Ministry of Culture, in Paris.
Created in 1957, the Order of Arts and Letters distinguish artists, creators and cultural figures whose work has had a lasting impact on the cultural landscape in France and worldwide.
Awarding Joko Anwar this distinction recognizes an artist whose films have reshaped the horizons of Indonesian cinema while engaging in a rich and sustained dialogue with French audiences and institutions.
Born in Medan in 1976, Joko Anwar is today regarded as one of the most influential Asian directors of his generation.
Over the past two decades, he has built an internationally acclaimed body of work, spanning psychological thrillers, fantasy, and contemporary horror.
Films such as “Satan’s Slaves”, “Impetigore” and “The Forbidden Door” have earned widespread recognition for their inventive storytelling and their ability to connect local myths with universal themes.
“Satan’s Slaves” and its sequel are among the most successful Indonesian films of all time.
Joko Anwar has also forged a long-standing relationship with France.
A number of his films have been distributed or presented in the country, including at Paris International Fantastic Film Festival, Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival, Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema and Gérardmer International Fantastic Film Festival.
His Netflix series “Nightmares and Daydreams” enjoyed remarkable success in France in 2024, entering the platform’s Top 3 shortly after its release.
This distinction comes as Paris hosts the “Panorama of Indonesian Cinema” organized by la Cinémathèque française on 10-21 December 2025 – a landmark retrospective that includes “Satan’s Slaves”.
Joko Anwar’s connection with France continues to deepen as he will be Guest of Honor at the 2026 Gérardmer International Fantastic Film Festival.
The festival is honored to highlight the career of a filmmaker whose unique vision has contributed to a lasting transformation of the horror film landscape. Five of his iconic films will be screened in his presence.
