THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines’ Film Institute lauded the conferment of the National Artist for Film award on Ricardo ‘Ricky’  Lee, a playwright, screenwriter, novelist and journalist.

The institute said that the award was special having been given while the recipient is still alive.

The government has recognized 66 individuals as national artists but only seven of them were known in the field of cinema.

They are Directors Gerry de Leon, Lamberto V. Avellana, Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Eddie Romero and Manuel Conde.

“In recognizing Ricky Lee, we move beyond the monolith of film as the director’s medium,” the film institute said.

“This honor embodies the much-awaited acknowledgment of cinema being a writer’s medium, the momentous act of affirming what has long been known but hardly institutionalized: That there is no film, no moving image, no cinematic discourse even, without the written word,” it added.

Lee wrote almost 200 screenplays including 80’s films “Brutal,” “Karnal,” “Himala,” “Macho Dancer,” and “Jose Rizal.”

He have wrote two best-selling novels — “Para Kay B” and “Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata.”