Dir. Kim Ki Duk 김기덕

[rubie]

May 20, 2011

‘Arirang’ Captures Critics in Cannes

By Jaeyeon Woo blogs.wsj.com

In Korea’s film industry, Kim Ki-duk is a rarity; he is more recognized outside Korea than in his native country. The 64th Cannes Film Festival last week proved that once again.

His self-portrait movie, “Arirang,” which he wrote, directed and even acted in, was screened in the out-of-competition Un Certain Regard section of the festival, reportedly drawing a standing ovation from the approximately 2,000 people who filled the screening venue.

In a letter posted on the festival’s official website, Mr. Kim said an accident in which an actress nearly died while filming a suicide scene led him to make his latest film to “look back on the 15 films I frantically made during my 13-year film career.”

Shot mostly in a tucked-away cabin, the movie features Mr. Kim playing three personas: one asking questions, one answering and the other watching, reflecting on his life as a film director, scolding and comforting himself. At one point, he laments the high-profile betrayal in 2008 by his protégé, Jang Hoon, who left him to work for a major movie production.

The 52-year-old director debuted in 1996 with the movie “Crocodile,” about a sly guy who collects the bodies of suicides in the Han River and blackmails bereaved families for money. His dark portrayal of alienated people often catches the country on the raw. Major movie distributors often choose not to show his movie due to commercial concerns.

May 14, 2011

Arirang: Cannes Review

by Maggie Lee hollywoodreporter.com

DIY filmmaking at its most resourceful and auteur cinema at its most narcissistic.

Kim Ki-duk's one-man show examines why he is now at an impasse after creating 15 internationally distributed and awarded films.

The glorious agony of struggling directors is a theme that’s been around for as long as filmmaking itself. Kim Ki-duk’s Arirang explores the reasons and emotions behind his three-year hiatus like a no-tech documentary answer to Fellini’s 8 1/2. A one-man production in which Kim engages in deep conversation with himself, his shadow, recorded images of himself and excerpts of his screen performances, it is so navel-gazing it makes Takeshi Kitano’s Takeshis and Glory to the Filmmaker seem positively self-effacing.

Never a reliable commercial bet, this will be Kim’s least theatrically saleable work. The sour, malcontent attitude may be his devious way of playing up his bad-boy image to the cine-literati, but there’s precious little with which even an arthouse-inclined audience can identify with.

Kim begins with self-examination of why, after making 15 films that were internationally distributed and awarded, he has reached an impasse. He initially attributes it to trauma from an accident on the set of his last film, Dream, but gradually, it transpires that what’s holding him back is not creative block but financial.

In a swearing session delivered with machine gun speed and aggressiveness, he rants and riles at moviegoers, investors, protégés who in some way or other betrayed him. It culminates in a wish-fulfillment revenge spree that is funny for its anti-production-value statement.

Snippets of his hermitic mountain life become welcome diversions. As if he’s getting in touch with the primal instincts that characterize his protagonists, he camps in a tent inside a hut, makes simple meals and has fun with self-reassembled espresso and drip coffee machines. His primitive yet meticulous and creative handiworks reveal more about his unique style as a filmmaker, than the self-indulgent shots of his handwritten scripts, posters of his films and his oil paintings.

Kim also provides the score by belting out Arirang in a coarse but plaintive voice. This most famous of Korean folksongs expresses an abandoned woman’s feelings: She misses her lover even as she curses him. Although it’s obvious Kim identifies with her bitter lament, there is a tinge of pathos when he says “I miss all the film festivals I’ve been to.” The subtext being: he really misses filmmaking itself.

Filmed using a Mark II digital camera, Kim arranges the shots to make his monologues look like dialogues between — or commentaries on — two or three personas. Although sometimes the edits and compositions look casual, the overall technique is professional.

Venue: Cannes Film Festival (Certain Regard)

Sales: Finecut

Production company: Kim Ki-duk Film

Cast-director-screenwriter-producer-director of photography-music-editor: Kim Ki-duk

No rating, 100 minutes.

[rubie]

May 22, 2011

Director Kim wins key Cannes sidebar prize

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldm.com) koreaherald.com

Kim Ki-duk, one of the best-known Korean auteurs overseas, won a coveted sidebar prize at Cannes on Thursday, for his wrenching cinematic self-portrait "Arirang."

Director Kim Ki-duk poses during the photocall of "Arirang" presented in the Un Certain Regard selection

at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes on May 13. (AFP-Yonhap News)

Kim shared his Un Certain Regard - the Cannes Film Festival's sidebar section - best picture prize with German director Andreas Dresen, who directed "Stopped On Track."

Written, directed and starred in by Kim, "Arirang" is an emotionally raw film that deals with his own perceived failings as a director, after going through a series of "betrayals" by his colleagues in the Korean film industry.

Kim has won prizes at the Venice and Berlin film festivals for "3-Iron" and "Samaritan Girl," although he hasn't gained much popularity in Korea.

Source: news.nate.com

[rubie]

May 22, 2011

Movie "Arirang" receives award at Cannes

Source: koreatimes.co.kr / news.nate.com

Korean movie "Arirang" directed by Kim Ki-duk received the top prize of the "A Certain Glance" section at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, the event's organizers said Sunday.

The Korean movie and German director Andreas Dresen's "Stopped on Track" shared the honor of "Prix Un Certain Regrad," according to the festival's Web site.

The section's Special Jury Prize went to Andrey Zvyagintsev's "Elena" and the Best Director award to Mohammad Rasoulof for "Goodbye," it said.

The award is given to young talented filmmakers for their innovative and experimental works.

South Korean films have now won the award two years in a row, following last year's "Hahaha" directed by Hong Sang-soo.

The movie is a self-portrait of director Kim Ki-duk, who has won Best Director awards at two prestigious film festivals -- the Berlin International Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival. (Yonhap)

[rubie]

May 22, 2011

Cannes hears out filmmaker's angst

Kim Ki-duk wins sidebar competition with torn self-portrait

By Lee Hyo-won hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

Kim Ki-duk’s feet in a scene from “Arirang,” a documentary-style drama that won best picture

in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, Saturday

Kim Ki-duk’s controversial self-portrait shared the best picture award with a German drama at the Cannes Festival’s sidebar competition, Saturday. Kim drew a lengthy standing ovation when “Arirang” screened in the Un Certain Regard section, and the enfant terrible of Korean cinema sang a few bars from the titular folk song as he accepted the coveted award alongside “Stopped on Track” by Germany’s Andreas Dresen. Serbian director Emir Kusturica served as the jury’s president.

“Arirang” is a raw and experimental documentary-style film that captures his efforts to cure a “director’s block.” Filmed while living in self-imposed exile, he laments on camera about his perceived failings as a director and individual.

The film conveys in the first-person what the director was up to during his three-year absence — a significant hiatus that had many in the industry wondering since Kim was reputed as a prolific filmmaker that made 15 films during a 13-year career. His comeback at Cannes drew much attention as the 41-year-old appeared markedly different, and rather odd, sporting grayed, disheveled hair and making apparently inebriated ramblings and martial arts “stunts” during press events.

The director, who has previously won top prizes at Venice and Berlin for “3-Iron” and “Samaritan Girl,” respectively, competed in Un Certain Regard with “The Bow” in 2005 and then vied for the Palme d’Or in the main competition section with “Breath” in 2007. But after actress Lee Na-young almost died while filming a hanging scene in his 2008 film “Dream,” Kim disappeared from the public until he made headlines by becoming involved in a legal feud with a local film distributor.

The case involved “Rough Cut,” a piece he wrote the script for that marked the directorial debut of his assistant director Jang Hoon. When Jang went on to direct a box office smash film, “Blood Brothers,” rumors began circulating that Jang “betrayed” Kim to sign with the film’s production company Showbox/Mediaplex, and that Kim became dejected and depressed as a result.

Though Kim issued a statement asking the media and netizens not to criticize Jang, he calls the younger filmmaker a “betrayer” in “Arirang,” among other vehement reproaches made against the local film industry and government.

Though it garnered a long ovation from the Cannes audience, reviews were divided.

France’s Film de Culte gave the film two out of six stars, saying, “The naked sincerity, this visceral need of cinema and creation, all the way until the end when fiction takes over a schizophrenic outburst, find some fine ways. But, just as the filmmaker himself declared, eloquence is not his strong point.” “It’s a grind to watch, even for fans of the maverick writer-director’s work. Kim’s rep will inevitably ensure further fest bookings for what is essentially one long whine, but theatrical distribution anywhere looks highly unlikely,” said Variety, an influential U.S. entertainment news media.

Indiewire, another U.S. outlet, called it “alternatively beautiful, frustrating and extraordinarily astute.”

Meanwhile the Un Certain Regard section saw two other Korean films vying for the prize among 21 titles, including Hong Sang-soo’s “The Day He Arrives” and Na Hong-jin’s “The Murderer” (aka. “The Yellow Sea”). Hong won the section’s prize last year with “Hahaha.”

[rubie]

May 23, 2011

Director wins Cannes sidebar prize

By Moon So-young, AFP [symoon@joongang.co.kr] joongangdaily.com

Director Kim Ki-Duk poses at the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 13,

after his film, “Arirang,” won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section. [AP]

Korean director Kim Ki-duk made his return to film after a three-year hiatus with a prize for “Arirang” on Saturday at Cannes, as the festival cruised toward its awards climax.

Kim, a favorite of European film festivals but an outsider in the Korean film world, shared the best film prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 64th Cannes Film Festival with “Stopped On Track” by Germany’s Andreas Dresen.

The section is considered to be the second most important next to the competition for the Palme d’Or.

With his wrenching cinematic self-portrait, “Arirang,” Kim has become the first Korean filmmaker to win awards at all three of Europe’s biggest film festivals.

In 2004, he won the award for best direction for “Samaritan Girl” at the Berlin Film Festival and for “3-Iron” at the Venice Film Festival.

Accepting the award at Cannes, Kim sang a few bars from a melancholy folk song about the hills and valleys of life that also serves as the film’s title.

“Arirang,” which drew a lengthy standing ovation when it screened on May 13 during the 12-day event, is an emotionally raw film exercise aimed at curing a crippling bout of “director’s block.”

The picture features Kim living in self-imposed exile and grilling himself on camera about his own perceived failings as a director and a human being.

The film, which doesn’t have a release date for Korea yet, is expected to trigger a controversy here because Kim relays raw stories about several figures in the local film industry, using their real names.

He reveals on camera that actress Lee Na-young was almost killed while filming a scene in his 2008 drama “Dream,” in which the character hangs herself.

Kim rescued her but the near fatal accident sent him into a long depression.

One of the more controversial stories in the film is about a conflict Kim had with Jang Hun, an emerging Korean director and Kim’s former apprentice.

News of the conflict arose late last year, with news outlets reporting that Kim had become “devastated,” refusing to make any movies, since the “betrayal” of a young director.

According to the news reports, Kim had been working on a film project with Jang and another producer when the two essentially took the film to a major film distributor and made the film without him.

Though the news reports didn’t reveal the young director’s name, readers could infer that it was Jang, based on a variety of statements made in the report.

Kim later made a statement saying he was fine and had already reconciled with Jang.

In “Arirang,” however, Kim criticizes Jang for the “betrayal” of uttering his real name. He also places blame on several other people.

With this award, Korean films have now taken the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section two years in a row, following last year’s “Hahaha” directed by Hong Sang-soo, who also presented his latest film “The Day He Arrives” in the section at this year’s festival.

[rubie]

May 23, 2011

Kim Ki-duk Wins Best Picture in Un Certain Regard at Cannes

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

Director Kim Ki-duk poses during a photocall of "Arirang"

presented in the Un Certain Regard selection at the 64th Cannes

Film Festival, in Cannes, France on May 13, 2011. / Xinhua

Director Kim Ki-duk's "Arirang" won the best picture prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 64th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, sharing the honor with "Stopped On Track" by Germany's Andreas Dresen.

Kim is the second Korean director to win the award, after Hong Sang-soo with "Hahaha" last year, and the first to win major awards at the world's three most prestigious film festivals. He received the best director prize for "Samaria" in Berlin in 2004 and "3-Iron" in Venice in the same year.

The unconventional "Arirang" stars only one person, Kim, who questions himself about his anger and regrets.

Launched in 1978 to highlight cutting-edge works, Un Certain Regard invited 21 films from 19 countries this year including three from Korea -- "Arirang," Hong's "The Day He Arrives" and Na Hong-jin's "Yellow Sea."

Meanwhile, "Ya-Gan-Bi-Hang (Fly by Night)" by Son Tae-gyun won the third prize of the Cinefondation competition in Cannes. The section invites 15 to 20 films by student directors and awards prizes to the best three.

[rubie]

June 14, 2011

Filmmaking is not about money: Kim Ki-duk

By Lee Hyo-won hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

Director Kim Ki-duk has returned to Korean cinema with an inter-Korean story that he penned and produced. “Poongsan,” directed by his protege Juhn Jai-hong, tries to prove that filmmaking is not about the size of the budget.

And it sure does show that near-impossible projects can actually go through.

The 200 million-won film was shot over 25 takes in just 30 days, while the entire cast and crew took part in the project with no guarantee.

“I think Korea’s movie industry is just a gambling site these days. I often wonder if Korea can ever make new, revolutionary movies,” Kim said in a statement released last week by the film’s distribution company Next Entertainment World (NEW).

“‘Poongsan’ will exhibit the power of passion for cinema by going beyond the realm of films that were merely about large investments. ‘Poongsan’ is the start.”

Juhn, who made his directorial debut with “Beautiful,” also written and produced by Kim, said the project was made “purely with passion.”

“I wanted to show that it is possible to make a film with passion rather than money,” Juhn told reporters Monday, following a press preview at CGV Theater Wangsimni.

He said he dived into the project without a second thought after receiving the scenario from the elder director last fall.

“When Kim Ki-duk gave me the scenario, Kim Ki-duk Film had nothing. It had no budget; it didn’t even have an office.

“But when he asked me to direct, I said of course. I was worried whether the two actors would agree to take part in such a project, but they gladly said yes.”

“The film had great intentions... I decided to star in it because I believed it would be a meaningful project,” said popular singer-turned-actor Yoon Kye-sang, who plays the lead role.

Yoon appears as a mysterious messenger who crosses the demarcation line between the two Koreas, delivering letters and cherished heirlooms between separated families in Seoul and Pyongyang.

One day he is commissioned with the task of transporting the lover (Kim Kyu-ri) of a high-ranking North Korean official who escaped to the South. Yet things take an unexpected turn when the deliveryman falls for the young woman.

Kim Kyu-ri said the 25 takes actually felt like 50, and that some of the sessions lasted up to 30 hours.

Yet the intensity of the filmmaking began in the pre-production process. The actress, who has appeared in films such as the Cannes-winning Hong Sang-soo drama “Hahaha,” was cast 13 days before the production began.

“I wanted to be part of the film but I was taking part in a one-act play. But I decided to challenge the impossible. When I finished the theater piece, I had only two days to perfect the Pyongyang accent... I have many regrets because I could have done a better job had I had more time,” she said.

Yoon on the other hand did not have to worry about lines for his taciturn character.

“At first I was glad I didn’t have any lines and was looking forward to pulling off different facial expressions. But it was extremely difficult, and I was worried whether my expressions were becoming monotonous or whether I was delivering the emotions each moment,” he said.

The director said that Yoon’s character was a symbol for reunification — having him speak a specific Korean accent would give him a sense of belonging to one of the two Koreas.

“The film is essentially about reunification, something that any Korean would want,” he said.

“But as much as it’s a somber subject, I wanted to keep the film itself touching yet entertaining, something that anyone can enjoy.”

“I wasn’t even sure if the film would ever be released, so this is very overwhelming,” said actress Kim.

“Poongsan” opens in theaters on June 23. Distributed by NEW, it is rated 18 and over.

Korea Times intern Park Seung contributed to the story.

[rubie]

August 19, 2011

darcypaquet Darcy Paquet

Its first screening in Korea is tonight at 8pm. I've got my ticket.

darcypaquet Darcy Paquet

Kim Ki-duk's ARIRANG has received 60 film festival invitations and been sold to Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Italy, Austria, etc.

August 18, 2011

'Arirang' Wins New Horizons Film Fest Prize

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

Director Kim Ki-duk's "Arirang" won the grand prix in the Films On Arts Competition among 12 contenders in the New Horizons International Film Festival, according to the film's overseas distributor Finecut on Wednesday.

In its 11th year, the film fest was held in Wroclaw, Poland on July 21-31, screening over 500 movies from more than 50 countries.

Earlier in May, "Arirang" also earned the best picture prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 64th Cannes Film Festival. It has been invited to the Real to Reel section for the most noticeable documentaries of the year in the 36th Toronto International Film Festival, the world's largest event of a non-competitive nature, on Sept. 8-18.

[rubie]

Official Website:

vladivostokfilmfestival.ru

September 1, 2011

Several Korean movies invited to international film fest in Russia

Source: 10Asia

Several Korean movies will be screened at the Vladivostok International Film Festival in Moscow this month.

On Thursday, the official website of the fest revealed that Korean feature films "Come Rain, Come Shine," "Blue" and short "Night Fishing" have been selected for main competition at the 9th annual Vladivostok International Film Festival - Pacific Meridian to be held from September 10 to 16.

In the meantime, Director Kim Ki-duk's controversial pic "Arirang," the third installment of the town series “Dance Town” by auteur Jeon Kyu-hwan and Kim Myung-min starrer "Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow" will be screened under the Panorama category.

Also, Korean thrillers "The Yellow Sea," "I Saw the Devil," "Moss," "The Unjust" and "The Man from Nowhere" will be shown under the special segment of In focus.

[rubie]

Official Website: hiff.org

September 2, 2011

8 Korean pictures invited to international film fest in Hawaii

Source: 10Asia

Eight Korean pictures will be screened at this year's Hawai'i International Film Festival (HIFF) next month.

On Friday, HIFF's official website revealed that "Cyrano Agency," "Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow," "The Recipe," "The Unjust," "The Journals of Musan," "Unstoppable Family," "Hello Ghost" and "Arirang" were invited to the 31st annual Hawai'i International Film Festival set to take place for 11 days starting October 13.

The website also showed that the final list of programs for this year's HIFF will be announced in mid-September. At previous editions of the HIFF, Korean movies "Our Twisted Hero" (1992), "A Hot Roof" (1996), "Spring in my Hometown" (1998) and "Chunhyang" (2000) won the prize for best feature while war flick "71 Into the Fire" was last year's closing film.

Established in 1981, the Hawai'i International Film Festival is a non-profit organization which is dedicated in bringing cultural exchange and media awareness in the Pacific Rim.

HIFF's programming has two particular mandates: to be a festival of record for emerging films from Asia and the Pacific, and to present the top festival films from around the world, annually screening films from over 45 countries.

HIFF also presents content and panels in the fields of film and music, and mobile entertainment and gaming

[rubie]

September 16, 2011

Korean movies invited to upcoming Tokyo Filmex Festival in Japan

Source: 10Asia

A number of Korean movies will be screened at the upcoming Tokyo Filmex Festival in November, according to its official website.

On Friday, the website revealed that Korean auteur Kim Ki-duk's controversial film "Arirang" was chosen as the opening film for the 12th annual Tokyo Filmex Festival which will take place in Japan from November 19 to 27.

"Arirang," which won the top prize under the Un Certain Regard category during the 64th Cannes Film Festival in May, is a one-man show on the timeline of Kim's own life in the movie industry as he reflects on the 15 feature films that he has directed as well as the people that he has encountered.

In the meantime, Park Jung-bum's "The Journals of Musan," Juhn Jai-hong's "Poongsan" and Huh Jung-ho's "Countdown" have been announced as selections in official competition. Established in 2000, Tokyo Filmex Festival was launched by Office Kitano which is famed Japanese director Takeshi Kitano's film company.

This year's Tokyo Filmex will present the first edition of the Talent Campus Tokyo initiative which aims to foster future upcoming Asian directors and producers

[Guest chungy]

Saw Arirang at the Toronto International Film Festival yesterday. Interesting story and just great how the whole documentary was put together.

[rubie]

September 30, 2011

5 Things to Know About the Busan Film Festival

by THR staff hollywoodreporter.com

Chung Sung-Ju/Getty Images

The film festival begins Thursday, Oct. 6 in South Korea's second-largest city.

1. Pusan or Busan?: Busan has largely gone with "B" for the past decade, though the festival dates to when Romanization of the name meant it was called the Pusan International Film Festival. Organizers say visitors will no longer be confused about whether Pusan and Busan refer to the same port city (they do). And because BIFF has gone with PIFF for so long, Internet search engines can find information about the festival using either keyword.

2. Ticket Tech: Hur Nam-sik, Busan mayor and festival chairman, says the organizing committee is working to provide more mobile access to tickets. South Korea is one of the world's most tech-friendly countries, and fans can now purchase movie tickets with smartphones that can then be claimed at any Busan Bank location. Advance tickets also can be purchased through the festival's website at www.biff.kr.

3. Kim Kee-duk: BIFF plans to honor the life and career of Kim Kee-duk, the prolific helmer who defined 1960s Korean cinema. Since debuting with Five Marines in 1961, Kim turned out 66 features during a 16-year career through 1977. Hermes Korea, the local branch of the French fashion line, will hold a special reception in honor of 76-year-old director Oct. 7 in the Grand Ballroom of the Paradise Hotel.

4. Luxury Lounging: With fabulous suites that BIFF organizers reserve for the VIPs, the Westin Chosun Hotel — named after Korea's last royal dynasty, the Joseon (Chosun) Kingdom — offers fine dining, spa facilities and a view overlooking Haeundae Beach. The Chosun also offers access to Dongbaek Island and its mysterious mermaid sculpture as well as an open-sea garden for a great view of the Gwangan Grand Bridge. Rooms start at $163 a night. Visit www.echosunhotel.com.

5. Attention, Foodies: Haeundae Beach is a haven for food lovers, offering everything from upscale Italian cuisine to quirky local fare found in an entire alley lined with sogogi gukbap, or beef-stew eateries. Because Busan is a port city, seafood fans should head to Jagalchi Market for fresh fish. Bustling with vendor stalls and makeshift restaurants where you can eat charcoal-roasted clams on the spot, the area offers an experience not to be missed.

[Guest noknok]

Finecut announces new KIM Ki-duk film

Source | 2012/02/13

Seoul-based sales company Finecut has announced the well-known Korean director Kim Ki-duk's next film, tentatively titled "Pieta", is set to start shooting this month.

The film is about a brutal man who works for a cruel loan shark. Without any family or loved ones to worry about, he has no fear or hesitation when it comes to carrying out his evil deeds. One day, a mysterious woman shows up in his life, saying she is his mother. At first, he doesn't believe her, having no memories of a mother. But as his attachment to her grows, he discovers her gruesome yet sad secret.

After a long hiatus, Kim Ki-suk made his comeback wth "ARIRANG - Movie", which won the Un Certain Regard Prize in Cannes last year. He swiftly followed that up with "Amen", which he made on the fly directly after Cannes and screened in San Sebastian. His other works include "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... And Spring", "3-Iron" and "The Isle".

"Pieta" will be the auteur director's 18th feature film. It will be distributed in South Korean by Next Entertainment World (N.E.W.), which plans a wide release this year.

Finecut made the announcement of this news in Berlin at the European Film Market (EFM) where they are also selling Hong Sang-soo's "In Another Country", a mostly English-language film starring Isabelle Huppert. The company's EFM slate also includes the controversial legal drama "Unbowed", SIN Jung-won's new spirit-chasing film "The Fortune Tellers", romantic comedy "Love Fiction" starring Ha Jeong-woo and Kong Hyo-jin, and period action feature "The Grand Heist", starring Cha Tae-hyeon.

Source : http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=1710( English Korean )

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[Guest noknok]

Lee Jeong-jin and Jo Min-soo in "Pieta"

Source | 2012/02/12

Actress Jo Min-soo and actor Lee Jeong-jin are starring in the movie "Pieta" with director Kim Ki-duk.

According to distributor NEW, Kim's eighteenth movie "Pieta" confirmed Lee Jeong-jin and Jo Min-soo as leading roles and will start the making on the 15th.

"Pieta" is about the things that happen when a man (Lee Jeong-jin) who makes a living by carrying out the favors of moneylenders without his own flesh and blood, meets his "Mother" (Jo Min-soo) out of the blue.

Kim Ki-duk said he started this movie with the questions, "I feel I have cruel genes as I get older. I don't want to understand them or have them close by. Is evil a taste of life like the tongue tastes? Is evil a god that tests us?"

Source : movie.daum.net/movieI... ( Korean )

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Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta", Jo Min-soo and Lee Jeong-jin show a massive transformation

Source | 2012/02/2

An on-set still from the movie "Pieta" has been revealed.

Lee Jeong-jin, who is playing the role of Kang-do, a loan shark that gets money from debtors in the cruelest of ways, has lost so much weight that his face lines look stronger and more prominent.

He changed his hairstyle and even skin color to express the life of a man who grew up lonely and is living a wildly.

Veteran actress Jo Min-soo is a mysterious character who circles around Kang-do, one day claiming that she is his mother.

Her character is very interesting as portrayed in the pictures. One shows her knelt down in front of Lee Jeong-jin and in the other she is staring far ahead with tears in her eyes.

"Pieta" is by Kim Ki-duk, who is making a fiction film in South Korea for the first time in four years, and will be completed by mid-March.

news link

[Guest noknok]

Kim Ki-duk back with new film 'Pieta'

2012-07-19 21:21

Kim Ki-duk, one of the best known Korean directors overseas, said on Thursday he has realized that filmmaking makes him happy, in his first appearance before local media in four years.

"It will be my first feature film to be shown in four years,"

Kim said during a news conference in Seoul to promote his new film "Pieta." "I haven't worked on any movie for many reasons so far.

This time, I surely felt that I'm happy when I make films."

"Pieta," named after the title of a masterpiece sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, is Kim's first since the release of "Dream" in 2008 and his 18th in total. The Italian word pieta means "mercy" in English.

Kim, the director and screenwriter of the film, said the movie, set to open at local theaters next month, depicts the tragedy of capitalism through a story of a merciless villain who happens to fall into confusion after meeting a mysterious woman claiming to be his birth mother.

"I think everybody who lives in these modern times are accomplices and sinners," Kim said at the news conference. "All of us are beings who should wait for God's mercy."

Debuting in 1996 with "Crocodile," Kim won prizes at Venice and Berlin for "3-Iron" and "Samaritan Girl" both in 2004. He is also known for his 2003 film, "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring."

(Yonhap News)

reposted link : http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20120719001389&cpv=0

Trailer Alerts

Kim Ki-duk's PIETA Trailer Promises A Grim Yet Elegaic Return To Form

Though his early works were not appreciated in his home country - where he has long been considered a divisive figure - Korea's Kim Ki-duk was one of the dominant figures of the Korean Wave abroad, the director creating challenging and punishing, yet often beautiful, work such as The Isle, Bad Guy, The Coast Guard, Spring Summer Fall Winter And Spring and 3 Iron over an incredibly creative four year span.

But then Kim seemed to stumble a bit. His work from 2005 onwards became a little more inconsistent, with his biggest successes coming not as a director but as a producer / mentor to young talent with projects such as Rough Cut and Poongsan. Kim stepped away from the camera entirely between2008's Dream and 2011's return with documentary project Arirang but it appears he is now not only back but back on form with dark drama Pieta.
The film is about a brutal man who works for a cruel loan shark. Without any family or loved ones to worry about, he has no fear or hesitation when it comes to carrying out his evil deeds. One day, a mysterious woman shows up in his life, saying she is his mother. At first, he doesn't believe her, having no memories of a mother. But as his attachment to her grows, he discovers her gruesome yet sad secret.

The first trailer for this one has arrived and it is vintage Kim - beautifully shot yet grim and punishing. Take a look below.

[VOD] 피에타 Pieta (2012) Trailer - Kim Ki-Duk Movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBpEiDwNuN8

POSTER

[rubie]

July 27, 2012
Kim Ki-duk's new film up for competition in Venice festYonhapNews
SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korean director Kim Ki-duk's latest film "Pieta" has been invited to a competitive section of this year's Venice International Film Festival, the movie's local distributor said.
   "Pieta" was among the 18 films chosen to compete for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the 69th Venice film festival, which runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 8, NEW, the distributor, said in a release Thursday.
   It is the first time that a Korean film will vie for the top prize in the Venice film festival, one of the world's three most authoritative events, since Park Chan-wook's "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" in 2005.
   "Pieta" marks Kim's fourth film to go to Venice since "The Isle" (2000), "Address Unknown" (2001) and "3-Iron" (2004).
 
The movie, Kim's 18th in total and named after a masterpiece sculpture by Michelangelo, depicts the confusion suffered by an evil man who is visited by a mysterious woman claiming to be his birth mother and concealing a tragic secret.
   Debuting in 1996 with "Crocodile," Kim won prizes at Venice and Berlin for "3-Iron" and "Samaritan Girl" both in 2004. He is also known for his 2003 film, "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring," which depicted the life of a Buddhist monk and his young protege while encapsulating features of Buddhist philosophy.
   "Pieta" is scheduled to open at local theaters on Sept. 6.

[rubie]

July 27, 2012
Kim Ki-duk Invited to Venice for 4th Time with 'Pieta'ChosunIlbo

Director Kim Ki-duk's latest film "Pieta" has been included in the official competition category at the 69th Venice Film Festival, which will open on Aug. 29.
This is the first time in seven years a Korean movie has entered the competition section of the festival since Park Chan-wook's "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" in 2005.
It also marks Kim's fourth time to participate in the acclaimed festival. He entered the competition section with "The Isle" in 2000, and four years later won four different awards for "3-Iron," including Best Director and Little Golden Lion.
Also included in the competition section of this year's festival were "To The Wonder" by Terrence Malick, who won the Palme d'Or at Cannes last year for "The Tree of Life," and Frenchman Olivier Assayas' "Something in the Air," "Outrage: Beyond" by Japan's Takeshi Kitano, and "Passion" by Brian De Palma.

[Guest noknok]

Kim Ki-duk's “Pieta” vying for Golden Lion award at Venice film fest

Prolific Korean auteur Kim Ki-duk is causing a stir again with his new film, "Pieta."image

“Pieta” has been nominated along with other 17 films to compete for Golden Lion award at the 69th Venice International Film Festival which runs from August 29 to September 8, the pic's distribution firm NEW said through a press release Thursday.

This marks the first time for a Korean film to vie for the coveted Gold Lion's best picture at the world's oldest film festival.

Organizers have announced the competition lineup, which is mostly dominated by American directors, except the 18th entry in order to keep with the festival's recent tradition. The last movie competing in the segment will be announced on a later date.

Meanwhile, "Pieta" is Kim's fourth invitation to the VIFF following “The Isle,” (2000) “Address Unknown,” (2001) and “3-iron,” (2004) which won the Special Award for Best Direction at the festival.

The pic tells the story of Kang-do, (played by Lee Jung-jin) a cruel loan shark that threatens people for paybacks. One day, he runs into a mysterious woman (played by Jo Min-soo) who claims to be his mother.

Sold to over six countries, this will be Kim's first commercial movie in four years after he announced his retirement from the filmmaking business in 2008. The sudden announcement came after his "Dream" (2008) got actress Lee Na-young almost killed on the set.

Kim Ki-duk, one of the most highly recognized Korean cineartists, has built his career with creative yet disputable artworks such as “Crocodile,” (1996) “Bad Guy,” (2002) and “Samaritan girl” (2004).


69TH ANNUAL VENICE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP
"Something in the Air,", Olivier Assayas (France)
"At Any Price," Ramin Bahrani (US-UK)
"Dormant Beauty," Marco Bellocchio (Italy-France)
"Fill the Void," Rama Burshtein (Israel)
"Passion," Brian De Palma (France-Germany)
"E stato il figlio," Daniele Cipri (Italy-France)
"Un giorno speciale," Francesca Comencini (Italy)
"Superstar," Xavier Giannoli (France-Belgium)
"Pieta," Kim Ki-duk (South Korea)
"Outrage Beyond," Takeshi Kitano (Japan)
"Spring Breakers," Harmony Korine (US)
"To the Wonder," Terrence Malick (US)
"Thy Womb," Brillante Mendoza (Philippines)
"Betrayal" (Izmena), Kirill Serebrennikov (Russia)
"Linhas de Wellington," Valeria Sarmiento (Portugal-France)
"Paradise: Faith," Ulrich Seidl (Austria-France-Germany)
"La cinquieme saison," Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth (Belgium-Netherlands-France)

credit : 10Asia

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Kim Ki-duk's new film up for competition in Venice fest


SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korean director Kim Ki-duk's latest film "Pieta" has been invited to a competitive section of this year's Venice International Film Festival, the movie's local distributor said.

"Pieta" was among the 18 films chosen to compete for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the 69th Venice film festival, which runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 8, NEW, the distributor, said in a release Thursday.

It is the first time that a Korean film will vie for the top prize in the Venice film festival, one of the world's three most authoritative events, since Park Chan-wook's "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" in 2005.

"Pieta" marks Kim's fourth film to go to Venice since "The Isle" (2000), "Address Unknown" (2001) and "3-Iron" (2004).

The movie, Kim's 18th in total and named after a masterpiece sculpture by Michelangelo, depicts the confusion suffered by an evil man who is visited by a mysterious woman claiming to be his birth mother and concealing a tragic secret.

Debuting in 1996 with "Crocodile," Kim won prizes at Venice and Berlin for "3-Iron" and "Samaritan Girl" both in 2004. He is also known for his 2003 film, "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring," which depicted the life of a Buddhist monk and his young protege while encapsulating features of Buddhist philosophy.

"Pieta" is scheduled to open at local theaters on Sept. 6.


sshim@yna.co.kr

credit : willenette @soompi

[rubie]

July 30, 2012
Korean Film Fest in Australia rolls out ambitious 2012 line-upKOBIZ
 In only its third year, the 2012 Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) has released its line-up, which contains a variety of contemporary classics as well as some of the Korea’s biggest blockbusters from the last two years. KOFFIA will hold screenings in three different cities across Australia from late August to early September. Panorama, the fest’s largest section and centerpiece, will screen seven features. Headlining is 2011’s undisputed box office champ <War of the Arrows> along with surprise hit <Sunny> and 2012’s Cannes selections -- HONG Sangsoo’s <In Another Country> and IM Sang-soo’s <The Taste of Money>. Rounding out the section is Korea’s 2012 Oscar submission, <The Front Line>, the senior love story <Late Blossom> and another film from the increasingly prolific HONG Sangsoo, <The Day He Arrives>. Highlighting two genres KOFFIA sees as important in contemporary Korean cinema, sections entitled K-Comedy and K-Mystery will each screen three films. K-Comedy will catch one of 2012’s biggest hits thus far, <All About My Wife>, and also jump back in time for the popular 2011 film <DETECTIVE K: Secret of Virtuous Widow> and <Sunny> director KANG Hyoung-chul’s smashing debut, <Speedy Scandal>. K-Mystery unsurprisingly takes a darker turn with <The Yellow Sea>, starring HA Jung-woo, critical darling <Bleak Night> and the shocking tale of school abuse that was based on a true story, <Silenced>. KOFFIA’s Modern Classics this year will include two films from 2003, PARK Chan-wook’s <Oldboy> and KIM Ki-duk’s <Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and... Spring>, along with HUR Jin-ho’s quintessential melodrama, 1998’s <Christmas in August>. The fest’s Documentary section will also feature dk dk KIM Ki-duk, screening his Cannes-winning <Arirang>. Completing the section is the musical-social chronicle of singer Baek-ja ,<The Reason Why I Step>, and the Italian-produced <Through Korean Cinema>, which is based on in-depth interviews with five contemporary Korean directors. New to 2012 is the Animation section, which will feature two wildly different films -- the family-friendly Myung Films hit <Leafie: A Hen into the Wild> and YEUN Sang-ho’s dark and ultra-violent <THE KING OF PIGS>. Finally, KOFFIA will offer two short film sections. The first, the International Short Film Showcase, features 13 recent shorts including festival fare such as KIM Seok-young’s <Anesthesia>, YOON Ki-nam’s <The Metamorphosis> and 2011 Cannes invitee <Ghost>. The second section, the KOFFIA Short Film Competition, is the fest’s sole competition and will screen a variety of Australian shorts that relate to Korea in some fashion -- whether by virtue of their filmmakers, actors, language or topic -- and award cash prizes to the top films, actors and actresses. KOFFIA 2012 will be running in Sydney from August 22-28, Melbourne from September 8-12 and Brisbane from September 27-30. Check http://koffia.com.au/ for more details.