LILLE, France (AFP) ― Myanmar democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi has thanked Luc Besson for making a film of her life story and shedding light on her country, the French filmmaker said Monday.

Besson sent a message to the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Winner ahead of the November 30 release in France of his film “The Lady,” he told a group of students in the northern French town of Lille.

“She replied saying thank you, it sheds light on my country,” he added during his comments at the EDHEC university.

The Myanmar opposition figure, who remains under close supervision by the Myanmar regime, also asked if it would be possible for Besson to send her a copy of the film.

She was held under almost unbroken house arrest for over 15 years before her release last November.

The pair’s “slightly bizarre” exchange of letters was made through secret channels over several months, Besson said.