11/07/2003

The Land of the Rising Sun has honoured British film director, Ken Loach, with one of its highest honours for artistic achievement, the Japanese Praemium Imperiale award.
Created by the Japan Art Association as an acknowledgement of artistic and humanitarian excellence in the following five categories, painting, sculpture, architecture, music and theatre/cinema and this year’s international jury included VIPs of the calibre of French president Jacques Chirac and American tycoon and arts patron, David Rockefeller Sr. Past winners include Sir John Gielgud and playwright Arthur Miller.
Ken Loach won in the theatre/cinema section for “the honesty and compassion of his work”. The sometimes controversial British director’s latest films include Sweet Sixteen [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and an episode of the ensemble film about the tragic events of 11 September 2001 [+see also:
trailer
film profile].
Prince Masahito Hitachi, the honorary patron of the Japan Art Association, will present Loach with the award at a special ceremony on 23 October in Tokyo.

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