Song Kang-Ho 송강호 [“Broker”, “Emergency Declaration”]

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May 17, 2019

 

Song Kang-ho becomes first Asian to receive Excellence Award at Locarno Film Festival

 

By Im Eun-byel The Korea Herald
 

Actor Song Kang-ho is to be recognized at the 2019 Locarno Film Festival, becoming the first Asian to receive the Excellence Award. 

 

The festival, founded in 1946, is a prestigious film festival held every August at the Swiss-Italian town of Locarno. The film festival organizers announced in a press release Thursday that Song would receive this year’s Excellence Award, becoming the first Asian awardee. 

Actor Song Kang-ho poses for photos during a press conference for “Parasite,” held at The Westin Chosun Seoul on April 22. (Yonhap)

 

The Excellence Award is given to outstanding actors who have contributed to the film scene. Previous awardees include Susan Sarandon, John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Isabelle Huppert, Juliette Binoche, Edward Norton and Ethan Hawke. 

 

“The Locarno Film Festival’s Excellence Award goes to actors who have followed significant, courageous paths. Thus far the recipients have all been American or European, but for me it was important to open up this prize to the Asian cinema,” said Lili Hinstin, Artistic Director of the Locarno Film Festival. 

 

“Song might not be a household name for audiences in the West, but his face is familiar around the world. A many-faceted actor, he is a peerless interpreter of the variety and intensity of emotions generated by Korean cinema, at ease in anything from drama to hard-boiled thriller.”

 

Hinstin also added, “Who if not Song Kang-ho can embody in a single performance all the excellence of Korean filmmaking over the past 20 years?” 

 

Meanwhile, Song’s latest work “Parasite” has been selected for competition at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. The local release is slated for May 30.

 

This year’s Locarno Film Festival will take place from Aug. 7 to 17. Song will receive the Excellence Award at an awards ceremony held on Aug. 12. On the next day, he will attend a panel discussion. 

 

By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com)

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Photos: CINE21 via CJ Entertainment

 

 

 

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May 17, 2019

 

Song Kang-ho wins 'Excellence' award in Switzerland 
 

Song Kang-ho/ Courtesy of Showbox

 

By Park Jin-hai The Korea Times

 

Veteran actor Song Kang-ho became the first Asian actor to win the Excellence Award at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland. 

 

Referring to Song as an "eclectic, versatile, graceful actor, who has been able to conquer South Korean cinema and then access the world of international stardom," the film festival announced Thursday that the 52-year-old Korean actor will receive the award during the annual film festival, which will be held from Aug.7 to 17.

"The Locarno Film Festival's Excellence Award goes to actors who have followed significant, courageous paths. Thus far the recipients have all been American or European, but for me it was important to open up this prize to Asian cinema," said Lili Hinstin, artistic director of the festival in a statement. 

The Excellence Award is given to personalities who, through their work and talent, have enriched cinema. Past winners include Ethan Hawke, Isabelle Huppert, Edward Norton and Juliette Binoche. 

 

"Song might not be a household name for audiences in the West, but his face is familiar around the world. A many-faceted actor, he is a peerless interpreter of the variety and intensity of emotions generated by Korean cinema, at ease in anything from drama to hard-boiled thriller, his face and body indelibly associated with the films of directors such as Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook and Kim Jee-woon; who if not Song Kang-ho can embody in a single performance all the excellence of Korean filmmaking over the past 20 years? I am delighted that he should receive the first Excellence Award given to an Asian personality," the festival's director said. 

 

Born in 1967, Song debuted in Hong Sang-soo's 1996 film "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well," In his over 20-year acting career, he has worked with many acclaimed Korean filmmakers encompassing different genres including action, thrillers, comedy and drama. Song starred in director Bong's latest film "Parasite," which is competing for the Palme d'Or at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. 

 

The award will be given to the actor in Piazza Grande, Aug. 12. He will participate in a panel discussion and meet movie fans the following day. 

 

jinhai@koreatimes.co.kr 

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May 18, 2019

 

Film fest to honor Song Kang-ho

 

Source: INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily // HODU&U Entertainment

The 72nd Locarno International Film Festival will give actor Song Kang-ho its Excellence Award during the annual event in Switzerland this August. 

 

The award, which was first presented in 2004, is given to one actor a year for his or her contributions to the film industry. 

 

The Locarno International Film Festival is known as one of the most prestigious film events in the world after the Cannes, Venice, and Berlin Film Festivals. 

 

Last year’s award went to Ethan Hawke, and acclaimed actors such as Susan Sarandon, John Malkovich, Edward Norton and Bill Pullman have also taken home the prize. Song will be the first Asian actor to receive the award. 

 

He is known for his roles in a number of well-received films including “A Taxi Driver” (2017), “The Age of Shadows” (2016), “The Attorney” (2013), “The Face Reader” (2013) and many more. 

 

Song is currently attending the Cannes Film Festival with director Bong Joon-ho for the world premiere of his latest film “Parasite,” which is competing for the prestigious Palme d’Or, or Golden Palm Award.

 

By Lee Jae-lim

 

 

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May 20, 2019

 

Song Kang-ho to Be Honored for Excellence in Acting at Locarno Film Festival

 

By Song Hye-jin The Chosun Ilbo

 

Actor Song Kang-ho will be honored with an award given to actors "who have followed significant, courageous paths" in the cinema industry at this year's Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.

 

The festival's organizers said on Friday that Song was chosen to receive the Excellence Award, which celebrates internationally acclaimed actors who have enriched the cinema with their work and talent. He will be the first Asian actor to win the award.

 

"A many-faceted actor, he is a peerless interpreter of the variety and intensity of emotions generated by Korean cinema, at ease in anything from drama to hard-boiled thriller," artistic director Lili Hinstin said in a press release.

 

The annual event, in its 72nd year, will kick off on Aug. 7 and run until Aug. 17 in the southern Swiss town. Song will attend an award ceremony on Aug. 12 and a panel discussion for festival fans the next day.

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Clip: CJ Entertainment

 

 

May 22, 2019

 

‘Parasite’ has its Cannes premiere

 

Source: INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

Director Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” held its world premiere on Tuesday evening at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. 

 

The screening took place at the famous Grand Theatre Lumiere. “Parasite” followed the premiere of another International Competition entry, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” directed by Quentin Tarantino. 

 

Before the film began, Bong and the cast of the film - including Choi Woo-shik, Cho Yeo-jeong, Jang Hye-jin, Park So-dam, Lee Sun-kyun and Song Kang-ho - walked the red carpet.

 

Lee Mi-kyung, vice president of entertainment conglomerate CJ E&M and executive producer of the film, was also in attendance. Lee last visited Cannes in 2009 to support “Thirst” by director Park Chan-wook and “Mother” by Bong. 

 

“Parasite” is about two different families from opposite social classes coming together when a brother and a sister from a poor family deceive a rich family and start working as private tutors for their kids.

 

By Lee Jae-lim

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Clip & Photos: CJ Entertainment

 

 

 

May 22, 2019

 

Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' receives standing ovation at Cannes

CANNES, France, May 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" has premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival Tuesday (local time), with the director getting an eight-minute standing ovation.

 

The new movie from the "Snowpiercer" and "Okja" director tells the story of a poor family becoming obsessed with a rich one after their son gets a job as a tutor for the wealthy family. Renowned actor Song Kang-ho stars in the film, along with Lee Sun-kyun and Cho Yeo-jeong.

 

This is Bong's fifth time at Cannes, following screenings of "The Host," at the Directors' Fortnight in 2006, and "Okja," his first work to be nominated for the main competition section in 2017.

 

Dressed to the nines, the audience filling the 2,300-seat Grand Theatre Lumiere burst into applause after the two-hour-plus film came to an end with closing credits and lights up.

 

None of those present, including Tilda Swinton, who starred in "Snowpiercer," left their seats until the very end of the event.

 

Director Bong and cast of the movie remained fixated amid the adulation from the audience.

 

"Thank you everyone. Let's all go home," Bong said in the midst of the standing ovation, saying goodbye to the crowd as the screening finished after midnight.

 

But the clapping and cheering continued even after Bong's farewell.

 

A French viewer, who identified herself only as Eglantyne, said she loved the movie because of its dark humor.

 

A male viewer said he prefers "Parasite" to "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," the new film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, which premiered earlier in the same day.

"Parasite" also received a modest ovation from reporters from all around the world, although they came up with temperate reviews after Bong's request not to reveal plot spoilers.

 

"'Parasite' being the work of one of Korea's best regarded filmmakers, that simple-sounding setup is the cue for multiple darker twists, ingrained social commentary, and bouts of comedic violence," Patrick Frater, a reporter for Variety, wrote. "Picking individual winners would be difficult. Picking 'Parasite' as a contender for some kind of Cannes reward would not be."

 

The Hollywood Reporter called Bong "Korean creature-feature maestro" in its latest story.

 

"'Parasite' is generally gripping and finely crafted, standing up well as Bong's most mature state-of-the-nation statement since 'Memories of Murder' in 2003," it said.

 

brk@yna.co.kr

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May 22, 2019

 

Director Bong Joon-ho: stairs are a key metaphor in 'Parasite'

 

CANNES, France, May 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean auteur Bong Joon-ho said Wednesday that stairs serve as a key metaphor for hierarchical social status and materialism in his Cannes-nominated black comedy "Parasite."

 

"Nearly 90 percent of the story takes place in a big house, the home of the rich family. It has a vertical structure -- second floor, first floor and basement," the director said at an official press conference for the 72nd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. "Each space is connected by stairs. Our staff jokingly called our work a 'stair movie.'"

In this photo provided by AFP, South Korean director Bong Joon-ho (4th from R) and the cast of "Parasite" pose during a photocall at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 22, 2019. (Yonhap)

 

The film, which premiered Tuesday night at Cannes, revolves around the poor family of Ki-taek who live in a squalid, grubby basement. They get involved in a string of mishaps after the sly son gets a job as a tutor for a moneyed family residing in an opulent, gaudy mansion.

 

It is Bong's second attempt to win the Palme d'Or in the main competition section, following the action-adventure film "Okja" in 2017.

 

The 49-year old director said he took the concept of stairs from old Korean classic movies like "The Housemaid" by Kim Ki-young in 1960.

 

Vertical structures typically symbolize social hierarchy in cinema, but Bong said the structures in "Parasite" are even more special because of indigenous subterranean residential spaces called "semi-basements."

 

"In South Korea, the semi-basement has subtle nuances," he said. "(People) live underground, but want to believe that they are above the ground because they have a moment when sunlight comes into their room."

 

He said "Parasite" begins with a scene in which the sun lights up Ki-taek's filthy semi-basement home as if his family are not yet living below-the-surface lives.

 

"But at the same time, they are afraid of falling into a complete underground situation if they get worse," he said. "This is the ingenious point my movie has."

 

The director is known for his socially conscious films like "The Host," "Snowpiercer" and "Okja." He described himself a genre movie director who doesn't like to follow the rules of genre films.

 

"Korean genre films have experienced stellar development in the 2000s," he said. "They have made a stab at blending Korean political situations, personal anguish and Korean history."

 

Actor Song Kang-ho plays the role of Ki-taek, the father of the destitute family. It is his fourth time working with the director -- he previously apeared in "Memories of Murder," "The Host" and "Snowpiercer."

 

"As a screenwriter and director, he has wielded his great insight into society in every movie," Song said of the director. "I think 'Parasite' is about what Bong the artist wants to communicate."

 

brk@yna.co.kr

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Source: Jason Bechervaise @Jasebechervaise

 

Source: Alex Billington @ Cannes @firstshowing

 

May 23, 2019

 

Bong Joon-ho's New Film Gets Ecstatic Reception at Cannes Festival

 

By Song Hye-jin The Chosun Ilbo

 

Director Bong Joon-ho's latest film "Parasite" had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday night. The 2,000-strong audience at the Grand Theatre Lumiere was gripped by the satirical black comedy, giving the director and cast a nine-minute standing ovation when it finished.

 

Hollywood actress Tilda Swinton, a friend of the director who appeared in his films "Snowpiercer" and "Okja," was among those leading the applause. Cast members Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Jo Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, Jang Hye-jin and Lee Jung-eun were clearly overwhelmed by the response.

Director Bong Joon-ho and actors Lee Sun-kyun, Jo Yeo-jeong and Lee Jung-eun (from right) react to an ovation from the audience after a screening of the film "Parasite" at the Cannes Film Festival in France on Tuesday. /Courtesy of CJ Entertainment

 

The premise of "Parasite" is simpler than those of Bong's previous works such as "The Host" and "Mother." The film revolves around a bizarre encounter between two families from opposite social classes when a son from a poor family scams his way into a tutoring job in a wealthy family.

 

"Parasite" is similar to "Snowpiercer" in Bong's use of starkly contrasting spaces, as well as water and light imagery, to discuss the issue of class. Somewhat disappointingly, the film lacks the symbolic depth that would allow for multiple interpretations, opting instead to have characters explicitly deliver the film's key messages through dialogue. Nonetheless, "Parasite" is nothing less than a masterpiece that escapes being categorized in any one genre with so many twists.

 

A critic for online magazine IndieWire commented, "The giddy, brilliant, and totally unclassifiable 'Parasite' proves that Bong Joon-ho has become a genre unto himself," while British daily the Guardian wrote, "'Parasite' gets its tendrils into you."

Of the 21 films in the official competition at Cannes, 15 were unveiled as of Tuesday night, and only a handful of them including "Pain and Glory" by Pedro Almodovar have generated hype despite the inclusion of films by big names like Ken Loach, Jim Jarmusch and Terrence Malick.

 

Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" was screened on the same night as "Parasite" amid much interest, but it seems it was overshadowed by "Parasite."

 

Some critics have pointed out that "Parasite" appeals to Cannes' tendency to favor movies that address social issues. French newspaper Le Monde praised Bong as a filmmaker who, more than a mere stylist, is capable of blending political and social metaphors in his movies.

 

The winners of this year's festival will be announced on Saturday as it closes its run, which started on May 14.

 

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May 23, 2019

 

Parasite is met with praise at Cannes
 

Source: The DONG-A Ilbo

 

 

A standing ovation continued for seven minutes at the Lumiere Theatre in Cannes, France that was filled with some 2,000 viewers. 

 

Korean director Bong Jun-ho’s movie “Parasite,” which was selected for the 72nd Cannes International Film Festival and aired on 10 p.m. on Tuesday (local time), won rapturous applause from the audience. Leading media, such as Guardian and Variety, reported that when the ending credit appeared and the lights came on, the audience erupted with applause. When the applause continued, Bong spoke into a microphone to say “Thank you everyone. Let’s go home” in both Korean and English, but the applause went on. 

 

“Parasite” is Bong’s seventh movie. A wealthy family lives on a house made of marble on a hill, while a poor family lives in a basement infested with bugs. Bong reveals the gap between the rich and the poor by displaying a stark contrast of the two families. The two families become involved as the eldest son Ki-woo (played by Choi Woo-sik) of Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho), whose entire family is jobless, is interviewed by Park (Lee Sun-gyun) for a high-paying personal tutor position.

 

In a press conference held last month after the movie was invited to the Cannes Festival, Bong said that “Non-Koreans might not be 100 percent familiar with the details,” but it appears that the message came across. BBC chose “Parasite” as the first must-see movie for the “Top 10 films not to be missed at Cannes.” 

 

After the movie was aired, foreign media responded with praise. Guardian gave four stars out of five, praising the movie as “Parasite is a bizarre black comedy about social status, aspiration, materialism and the patriarchal family unit. Parasite gets its tendrils into you.” The Telegraph also gave it four stars saying that “Parasite, a raucous and blood-splattered social satire, will torment you.” Parasite is generally gripping and finely crafted, standing up well as Bong’s most mature state-of-the-nation statement since Memories of Murder in 2003.” Indiewire commented that “under the pall of late capitalism, Bong’s latest offers another compassionate parable that is giddy, brilliant and contrasting. Bong Joon-ho has become a genre unto himself.” 

 

On the other hand, director Bong introduced a letter asking him to refrain from spoilers in Korean, English and French through the materials distributed to the media gathered in the Cannes prior to the screening. He said in a letter, "Nowadays, audiences are waiting for the release of anticipated films, and they are moving away from the usual favorite movie sites, and in many theater lounges, people use headsets to increase the volume of their music," said the audience. It is said that the creators are eager to fall into the movies with emotions. "
 

Seo-Hyun Lee baltika7@donga.com

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May 20, 2019

 

Song Kang-ho Talks About Drama on "Music Camp"

 

Source: MyDaily via HanCinema.net

 

 

Song Kang-ho mentioned dramas on the MBC FM4U radio show "Bae Chul-soo's Music Camp", which he guest starred in with director Bong Joon-ho from their upcoming movie "Parasite".

 

Song Kang-ho said, "I've been acting for 30 years including theater. I started theater in 1989. I have been acting in movies for 24 years. Dramas have never been my thing compared to movies. I am very much like Bong Joon-ho in this way, as we both can't multitask".

 

Bae Chul-soo asked if he'd be in a drama if the right offer approached him and Song Kang-ho said, "But I don't think I'd get any. They don't need me when there are so many talented people doing drama".

 

"Parasite" comes out on the 30th.

 

___________

 

"Parasite" is directed by Bong Joon-ho, and features Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Jo Yeo-jung, Choi Wooshik, Park So-dam, Jang Hye-jin. Release date in Korea: 2019/05/30.

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Clip: Karen Han

 

 

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  C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

 

Tweet credit as stated

 

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Tweet credit as stated

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May 26, 2019

 

Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” Becomes 1st Korean Film Ever To Win Palme D’Or At Cannes Film Festival

Source: Soompi by E. Cha

 

 

Director Bong Joon Ho’s new movie “Parasite” has just made Korean film history!

 

On May 25 local time, “Parasite” won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, making it the first Korean film ever to snag the historic film festival’s top prize.

 

According to Cannes jury president Alejandro Inarritu, the nine-person jury’s decision to award “Parasite” the Palme d’Or was “unanimous.”

 

The film, which marks Bong Joon Ho’s second film ever to be featured In Competition at Cannes (his first was the critically-acclaimed 2017 film “Okja”), tells the story of Gi Taek (played by Song Kang Ho) and his family, who are all unemployed. When his eldest son Gi Woo (played by Choi Woo Shik) begins tutoring the daughter of a wealthy man named Park (played by Lee Sun Gyun) and his wife (Jo Yeo Jeong), the two families start to interact in unexpected ways.

 

While accepting the award, Bong Joon Ho remarked, “The film ‘Parasite’ was a surprising risk. The reason that I was able to make this movie was the artists that worked together with me.” He added, “Above all else, I would not have been able to film a single scene without these great actors. Thank you to the actors.”

 

Jury president Alejandro Inarritu later commented, “Cinema must try to raise the global social conscience. We shared the mystery of the unexpected way this film took us through different genres, speaking in a funny, humorous, and tender way of no judgment of something so relevant and urgent and so global.”

 

Congratulations to the film’s cast and crew!

Source (1) (2) (3)

Top Photo Credit: Xportsnews

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May 26, 2019

 

S. Korean cinema finally embraces Palme d'Or at Cannes

 

By Yonhap via The Korea Herald  

 

Thanks to Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" being awarded the Palme d'Or at Cannes on Saturday, South Korea has bagged the highest honor at two of the world's three most acclaimed film competitions -- Cannes, Venice and Berlin.

 

The 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival gave its top prize to Bong's black comedy movie about a poor family becoming obsessed with a rich one after their son gets a job as a tutor for the wealthy family. 

 

It is the first time that a South Korean filmmaker has grabbed the highest honor at Cannes. 

 

72nd Cannes Film Festival - Photocall after Closing ceremony - Cannes, France, May 25, 2019. Director Bong Joon-ho, Palme d`Or award winner for his film "Parasite" (Gisaengchung), and Song Kang-ho react. (REUTERS)

 

Spoiler

 

The country's filmmakers started to knock the door of the French film festival in 1984 when Lee Doo-yong's historical drama "Spinning Wheel" was played in the "Un Certain Regard" sidebar.

 

In 2002, renowned director Im Kwon-taek took the best director award with "Chihwaseon," which features a nineteenth-century Korean painter who changed the direction of Korean art, bringing home the nation's first Cannes' official trophy.

 

Two years later, Cannes' second-highest honor -- the Grand Prix -- went to Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy," helping the director rise to worldwide stardom. He also collected the Jury Prize, the third-highest honor at the French festival, for his 2009 horror movie "Thirst," becoming one of the most beloved directors at Cannes.

 

In 2007, Cannes granted Jeon Do-yeon the best actress award for her performance in "Secret Sunshine," while director Lee Chang-dong took home the best screenplay award in 2010 for his drama "Poetry."

 

Apart from their success in Cannes, meanwhile, South Korean films have fared even better at the Venice International Film Festival.

 

Back in 1987, the best actress award was given to Kang Soo-youn for her leading role in "The Surrogate Woman," directed by Im Kwon-taek.

 

Lee Chang-dong's "Oasis" and Kim Ki-duk's "3-Iron" won the Silver Lion for best direction in 2002 and 2004, respectively.

 

Finally, Kim made history when his drama "Pieta" won the Golden Lion for best movie at the 69th Venice Film Festival in 2012, becoming the first Korean film to attain a top prize from any of the world's three largest film festivals.

 

South Korean flicks have also made their presence felt at the Berlin International Film Festival.

 

Kim Ki-duk's "Samaritan Girl" earned the Silver Bear prize for best director at the 2004 festival, while Park Chan-wook won the Alfred Bauer Prize for his 2007 romantic comedy "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK."

 

The festival presented the best actress award to Kim Min-hee for her role in "On the Beach at Night Alone" in 2017.

 

Now, Berlin is the only event of the three that has never given a South Korean movie its top prize. (Yonhap)

 

 

Photos: CJ Entertainment

 

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May 26, 2019

 

Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' wins Palme d'Or at Cannes

 

CANNES, France, May 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean director Bong Joon-ho grabbed the highest honor at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his black comedy movie "Parasite."

 

Bong became the first South Korean director to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Before him, Park Chan-wook was awarded the Grand Prix, the second-highest prize at the festival, for his thriller "Old Boy" in 2004.

His achievement marks the sixth time that a Korean film has received one of the main competition awards at the Cannes Film Festival. Im Kwon-taek took the best director award for "Chihwaseon" in 2002, Park Chan-wook earned one twice with "Old Boy" (2004) and "Thirst" (2009) and Lee Chang-dong picked up the best screenplay award with "Poetry" in 2010. Jeon Do-yeon won the best actress award for "Secret Sunshine" in 2007.

 

"Parasite" finished first in a fierce competition against big-name candidates and Cannes laureates like "Pain and Glory" by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and "Young Ahmed" by the Belgian filmmaking brothers Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne.

 

When his name was called at the very end of the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, Bong shouted with joy and hugged his colleagues.

 

"I didn't prepare a speech in French, but I'm inspired a lot by French movies," he told the audience via a French-speaking interpreter at the awards ceremony. "'Parasite' was an amazing adventure for me."

 

He thanked his staff and cast for their dedication and contribution to completing the masterpiece.

 

"When I was 12 years old, I decided to become a film director," he said. "I'd never imagined the day that I touch this trophy."

 

"Parasite", Bong's seventh feature film, revolves around the poor family of Ki-taek who live in a squalid, grubby basement. They become involved in a string of mishaps after the sly son gets a job as a tutor for a moneyed family residing in an opulent, gaudy mansion.

 

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, the president of the jury, said it was a unanimous decision on "Parasite."

 

"The film is such a unique experience; it's an unexpected film," the Mexican director said in a press conference after the closing ceremony.

 

He stressed that the jury did not take into account the fact that Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda won it last year for "Shoplifters." Some had expected Cannes to hesitate in granting the grand prize to Asian directors two years in a row.

 

"The cinema had to speak for itself," Inarritu said, adding that the jury had no political agenda or message.

 

The Grand Prix went to "Atlantics" by Mati Diop, and the Jury Prize, the third-best honor, was granted to "Bacurau" by Kleber Mendonca Filho and Juliano Dornelles and "Les Miserables" by Ladj Ly.

 

The best director award was given to Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for "Young Ahmed," while Antonio Banderas and Emily Beecham took the best actor and actress awards for their performance in "Pain and Glory" and "Little Joe," respectively.

 

brk@yna.co.kr

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Source: DDOBOJA

 

Director Bong Joon Ho's 'Parasite' wins the Palme d'Or, it's the first Korean movie to win the award
 

Original Source (TV Report via Naver): Bong Joon Ho's 'Parasite' wins Palme d'Or at Cannes..First Korean movie to win

 

1. [+1716, -5] Daebak! I'm getting chills. Director Bong Joon Ho-nim, congratulations!!! *clap, clap, clap, clap*!

2. [+345, -7] Finally!! Congratulations!!!

3. [+309, -3] Director, I'm proud of you and I respect you!!! I screamed out during this dawn. Congratulations!!!

4. [+234, -7] Wow this is crazy ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Congratulations

5. [+166, -6] Woooooow ㅠㅠㅠ Director Bong Joon Ho-nim, congratulations - I'll make sure to watch it on the day it premieres!!!       

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May 26, 2019

 

President Moon celebrates Korean film's Cannes victory

 

By Yonhap via The Korea Herald
 

President Moon Jae-in on Sunday delivered a congratulatory message for the South Korean film "Parasite" after it won the top Cannes festival award, calling it a big gift to all South Koreans.

 

"Parasite" won the top honor at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival on Saturday (French time), making it the first South Korean movie to take the main prize at the eminent film event. 

 

(Yonhap)

 

"The status of hallyu culture has risen one step higher," Moon said on his Twitter and other social media accounts. Hallyu means Korean Wave in English and refers to the global popularity of Korean cultural content.

 

"It is a very honorable event and (I) am profusely delighted with the award win, as are so many Koreans who love our movies," the president said.

 

(Twitter)

 

The president also thanked and expressed his pride in the director, Bong Joon-ho, saying, "Since he was 12, (he) has built on his dream step by step to become a world-renowned director."

 

"Director Bong's movies start from our everyday environment to show the dynamism and values of everyday life. ... It is amazing how he finds stories from mundane life," Moon said, adding that he can't wait to watch the film.

  

Referring to this year's centennial of the Korean film industry, the president said the Cannes award came as a meaningful gift for the Korean people. 

 

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon also released a similar congratulatory Twitter message.

 

"Director Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' was awarded the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The best honor for Korean films," Lee said on his Twitter account. 

 

"Congratulations. (I) give my thanks to movie people for their capabilities and efforts," the prime minister added. 

 

The tragicomedy, Bong's seventh feature film, was selected for the top award in the jury's unanimous decision for the film's "unique" and "unexpected" depiction of two South Korean families at opposite ends of the class spectrum. (Yonhap)

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May 26, 2019

 

Bong Joon-ho bags Palme d'Or in Cannes milestone for Korea

 

By Yoon Min-sik The Korea Herald             

 

Bong Joon-ho’s social satire “Parasite” made history Saturday by becoming the first Korean film to win the Palme d’Or, the top award at the Cannes Film Festival.

 

According to the jury president Alejandro Inarritu, the nine-person jury had made the decision based on a unanimous vote.

 

“The film has been an astonishing journey, which was made possible with the artists that stood by my side. Above all, I wouldn’t have been able to shoot a single scene without great actors, and I thank them for that,” Bong said, adding that he “never imagined that he would one day touch the trophy. He called the award a “very great gift” from the Cannes festival, noting that this is the 100th anniversary of Korean cinema.

“Parasite” is described to be a black comedy about unexpected series of events when a poor family of hustlers encounter a wealthy one. It stars Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik and Park So-dam, and Song Kang-ho, a man considered one of the best actors in Korean cinema who has appeared in Bong’s most well-known films like “Snowpiercer,” “The Host” and “Memories of Murder.”

 

Inarritu was quoted by media that the jury “shared the mystery of the unexpected way this film took us through different genres” and that the film spoke in a “funny, humorous and tender way of no judgment of something so relevant and urgent and so global.” 

 

The 49-year-old Korean is known for transcending traditional genres, and has been dubbed “Bong-tail (mix of Bong and details) by some fans for adding minute details in his films to satirize social issues. “The Host,” his biggest commercial success yet, appears to be a monster film but has elements of black comedy and social satire. 

 

The genre-mixing film is slated to open in Korean theaters on May 30.

 

“Parasite” is the second film by Bong to be invited to compete in the festival, the first one being “Okja” in 2017. His victory also marks a second consecutive year that the Palme d’Or went to an Asian director, with Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters” winning top honors last year.

 

As of now, Korean directors have grabbed the highest honors at two of what are considered three world‘s most acclaimed film competitions: Cannes, Venice Film Festival and the Berlinale. In 2012, Kim Ki-duk won the Golden Lion at the 69th Venice Film Festival with “Pieta”

 

Bong’s win was not the only ground-breaking one of the festival. Mati Diop’s “Atlantics,” about a migrant crisis through the eyes of Senegalese women left behind -- became the first black female director to compete for the top prize and made history by winning the second-top honor, the Grand Prize award. 

 

The Jury Prize went to “Bacurau” by Kleber Mendonca Filho and Juliano Dornelles and “Les Miserables” by Ladj Ly, and the best director award to Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for “Young Ahmed.” Best Screenplay was awarded to Celine Sciamma for “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.”

 

Antonio Banderas and Emily Beecham each took the Best Actor and Best Actress awards for their work in “Pain and Glory” and “Little Joe,” and the “It Must Be Heaven” by Elia Suleiman won Special Mention.

By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)