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Takeshi Kitano to Receive French Legion of Honor

The French government will award Japanese actor and director Takeshi Kitano (popularly known as Beat Takeshi) the Legion of Honor (Ordre national de la Légion d'Honneur), the highest French order of merit for military and civilian merits. Kitano's spokesperson noted that he will be given the distinction of Officier (Officer), the fourth highest distinction for the order, for having "transformed the rules of arts, television, film, and literature and [having] made an impact on contemporary art."

The award ceremony will be held on October 25.

Kitano has risen to prominence as both an actor and a director in Japan, and has also served as a comedian and television show host. Kitano has directed such films as Hana-bi, the 2003 Zatōichi film, Boiling Point, Outrage, and Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen. He is set to star in DreamWorks and Paramount's live-action Ghost in the Shell film. In July, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended an invitation to the director.

Riyoko Ikeda, the manga creator best known for her French Revolution epic Rose of Versailles, received the Chevalier decoration in the Legion of Honor in 2009. The Chevalier is the fifth distinction in the order.

Kitano previously received France's Commandeur decoration in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) in 2010. The Commandeur is the highest recognition in the Order of Arts and Letters, followed by Officier and Chevalier. The Order of Arts and Letters honors individuals who have contributed in art, literature, and other areas.

Isao Takahata, the Oscar-nominated anime director and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, received the Officier decoration in the Order of Arts and Letters in April 2015. Captain Harlock and Galaxy Express 999 creator Leiji Matsumoto received the Chevalier decoration in 2012, and A Distant Neighborhood manga creator Jiro Taniguchi received the Chevalier decoration in 2011.

Source: NHK World