Im Kwon-taek

KIM Dong-ho is the founder of the Busan International Film Festival and one of the key figures in the rise of Korean cinema. Starting his career as a civil servant, he dedicated his whole life to the sheer passion for films. With his deep commitment and instinctive creativity, he will keep “walking in the movies.”

South Korean cinema is in the throes of a creative explosion where mavericks are encouraged and masters are venerated. But from where has this phenomenon emerged? What is the culture that has yielded this range of filmmakers? With The Nine Lives of Korean Cinema, French critic, writer and documentarian Hubert Niogret provides a broad overview but, nevertheless, an excellent entry point into this unique type of national cinema that still remains a mystery for many people. The product of a troubled social and political history, Korean cinema sports an identity that is unique in much modern film. Niogret's documentary tells of the country's cinematic history - the ups along with the downs - and gives further voice to the artists striving to express their concerns, fears and aspirations.

A personal consideration of the Korean cinema by director Jang Sun-Woo, looking at it’s history of outside influence and censorship.

Discover the roots of Korean cinema. A cinema who surprised by the success recorded in the major international festivals. Interviews to five famous Korean directors, to get to know closely the evolution of Korean cinema. Through their words, their pictures and their stories. The Korean cinema has tendency to describe both the society, the past and the modern. The world of west cinema knows these directors through the journey of some of their movies. What do we know about their thoughts, their life, their culture and their way of working? The documentary focus on it.

IM Kwon-taek is a Korean film-maker. He was born in 1934 when his country was under Japanese occupation. When Korean War was over his parents became North Korean partisan, and he ran away from home. He’s made 101 films since he made his debut in 1962 with Farewell Doman River. He tasted the glory at Cannes Int’l Film Festival with Chiwhasun. However making the 102nd film seems harder than ever to this 80-year-old director. His 2 projects have been suspended. He still can’t find chance to make his 102nd film, but spends daily routine free from film-making. This is a recording of years that the film-maker spends without making a film.

At 6:00 in the morning on the 1st day of January in 2013 80-year-old film-maker IM Kwon-taek started shooting his 102nd film, after his unintentional 5 years’ break. I visited the shooting scene with my camera and had stayed there until the end of that year. I’ve always wanted to record IM’s shooting scene, as I believed that there we could find his secret manual which reflects the master’s large experience. I’ve been through heavy snow to witness funeral scene. I’ve also been to the west coast to follow funeral cortege in the film. It was an experience to put the life in the frame alongside with the death. When the next spring came, the shooting finally ended.

Director Chung Ji-Young criticizes the thought that older directors have difficulties in making certain movies. Actress Yoon Jin-Seo agonizes over her identity as an actress. In 2009, before the movie "Unbowed" was made, they met and planned a documentary about Korean movies, including the processes a Korean movie goes through and difficulites. "Ari Ari the Korean Cinema" is a documentary with interviews of Korean directors, actors and actresses.

Young is a nameless actor who dreams of becoming a big movie star. Then one day, he makes his breakthrough with a film and becomes a star overnight.

After the film screening, five people hold a meeting. Director Jeong asserts that a film should move the heart. Actress Soo-yeon emphasizes on the message of the film, Film critic Tony just discusses about the current trend of Korean cinema. Tomiyama cannot fully express her thoughts because of the language barrier. And, the head of jury, Sung-ki can’t control the situation. Will this jury reach an agreement against all odds? A satire for those who make, watch, and criticize films is about to begin.

A partially restored version of Director Im Kwon-taek's Bhiksuni, which was halted in 1984 due to opposition from the Buddhist community. It contains the agony of a woman who has converted to Buddhism. The documentary, which is shown together with the partially restored version, contains the story of the production of Bhiksuni told by actress Kim Ji-mi, director Im Kwon-taek, cinematographer Jung Il-sung, and writer Song Gil-han.

The first feature documentary directed by Kim Dong-ho, former festival director of the Busan International Film Festival, this film captures the present landscape of theaters and films across Asia through the eyes of a seasoned film professional. Now retired from public service, Kim travels with his camera to document the post-pandemic cinematic ecosystem, visiting theaters and film festivals in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and beyond, and gathering memories and concerns from filmmakers along the way. Prominent figures like Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Tsai Ming-Liang, and Garin Nugroho eagerly share their thoughts on the fate of theaters and the future of cinema. What begins as a survey of the current state of theaters evolves into an emotional chronicle and an opportunity to reflect on the essence and sustainability of cinema.

Nam-Ok who has Yun-Ho and Yun-Suk remarries widowed Heung-Yeol who has Hyeong-Tae and Hyeong-Ja. Nam-Ok are concerned about frequent quarrels between half brothers and sisters, but manages to deal with them wisely. As Yun-Ho who went to fishing with him falls into the water, Heung-Yeol tries to save him only to drown himself to death. Fifteen years later, Hyeong-Tae goes abroad to study while Hyeong-Ja lives in extravagance in Seoul. Yun-Suk gets to know Dong-Oh on the train, and Dong-Ho gets to like her, but later misunderstands her due to Hyeong-Ja's scheme, which causes Yun-Suk to commit suicide.

In a time of political and social unrest in 19th century Korea, uncouth, self-taught painter Jang Seung-up explores his natural talent amidst the repressive world around him.

Low-ranking civil servant Pil Yong (Park Joong Hoon) has things hard looking after his disabled wife(Ye Ji Won). He takes charge of a hanji project in hopes it will bring him a promotion. His wife comes from a family of hanji masters. One of his tasks include working with quarrelsome filmmaker Ji Won (Kang Su Yeon), who is shooting a documentary about hanji. Though he knows little about the subject to begin with, the more he learns about hanji, the more it takes on a new significance for him and the world around him.

Low-ranking civil servant Pil Yong (Park Joong Hoon) has things hard looking after his disabled wife(Ye Ji Won). He takes charge of a hanji project in hopes it will bring him a promotion. His wife comes from a family of hanji masters. One of his tasks include working with quarrelsome filmmaker Ji Won (Kang Su Yeon), who is shooting a documentary about hanji. Though he knows little about the subject to begin with, the more he learns about hanji, the more it takes on a new significance for him and the world around him.

A courtesan's daughter's fidelity to her husband, the governor's son, is tested when he and his family leave for Seoul and the new governor attempts to possess her.

A former pansori performer travels across South Korea in search of the student he studied with.

A man married to a Christian, but from a shamanistic upbringing, attempts to come to terms with the spirit of his mother who visits him in dreams.

The lives of the women working in a "café" in a South Korean port town, where customers exchange tickets for services.

A drama centered on brother-and-sister musicians trained to perform the epic Korean poems known as pansori.

A drama centered on brother-and-sister musicians trained to perform the epic Korean poems known as pansori.

A sprawling story of one man's tumultuous life within the context of the South Korean political situation during the second half of the 20th century.

A sprawling story of one man's tumultuous life within the context of the South Korean political situation during the second half of the 20th century.

A barren noblewoman encourages her husband to take a young peasant as a surrogate to secure the male line.

In mid-19th Century Korea, the people of Joseon Dynasty embrace the new religion Donghak. After the founder is executed, Choi Si-hyeong becomes Donghak’s second-generation leader and successfully propagates the religion, but in doing so becomes the object of oppression by the royal court.

In 1980s South Korea, two young nuns-in-training at the same monastery embark on very different journeys towards enlightenment.

A young woman is tricked into prostitution, thinking she is going to sell beverages at a village store. She soon learns about the dark world of Korea's red-light districts, where their pimps and society exploit her.

A young woman is tricked into prostitution, thinking she is going to sell beverages at a village store. She soon learns about the dark world of Korea's red-light districts, where their pimps and society exploit her.

In Japanese-occupied South Korea, a young man, newly-released from prison, is accepted into a gang for his fighting skills and quickly rises to the top. Based on the life of South Korean mobster and politician Kim Du-han.

A group of swordsmen takes on a hard-fight battle to possess a precious sword named Loegeom. Ahn Gil-won, one of the swordsmen, heads to enemy camp by himself, looking for the sword. He manages to swipe out the gang of enemy, finds his sword and heads on his way with his lover.

Based on the great river story, The Taebaek Mountains chronicles the lasting generational conflict between proprietors and peasants in South Korea.

While awaiting the publication of his fairytale about his dementia-stricken octogenarian mother, an acclaimed South Korean novelist receives news that she has passed away, so he leaves the city and returns to her village to take part in the funeral.

During the reign of King Yeongjo in the Joseon Dynasty (1302-1910), the villainous retainer party led by Jang Ji-hang gains power after cutting the head off a royalist Hong seong-won. His son Hong Guk-yeong passes a state exam and tries to assist the king in ruling well, but he is also put to death by Jang's false incrimination. But he is called a faithful politician in history.

A story that follows the lives and interactions of two Buddhist monks living in South Korea.

Mrs. Han who argues with her husband about living expenses. She unexpectedly earns 5 million won over an apartment she sold and becomes a speculator. She teams up with some slanderers and makes big money then soon dissolved into pleasure with men around her. Finally, slanderers trick her and she is broke and nearly mad. The police catches the speculators and they show no regrets. When the verdict is announced, they finally see their wrong doings.

Upon being released from prison, Kim Du-han begins rebuilding his street gang in the face of Hayashi's Yakuzas and increasing Japanese influence.

Following the final events of General's Son 2, Kim Du-han is forced to go on the lam but eventually returns to Jongro where he attempts to rebuild his gang with the brothers that are still alive and loyal and defeat Hayashi's Yakuzas once and for all.

His own father had hated Crown Prince Sado. The king finally orders to kill him by locking him up in a rice-chest. After his death, his wife Hong goes with her son to her parents' house to live there. Some high officials in the court constantly try to harm Sado's son because they don't want him to become king. But Hong's wisdom saved her son, who grows up to become the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

A patriot Park No-Hun is dispatched by Shanghai Provisional Government for Independence to assassinate members of the House of Council. In this situation Young-Kuk, brother of Hyeon-Ju who is a kisaeng of Myeong Wol Kwan, is jailed and Choi Chil-Yong, an inspector of Japanese Higher Police Department, is in agony of difficulties between Korea and Japan. Shin Yun-Il, a member of the council falls in love with a kisaeng whose name is Jeong-Mi. All of these are going their way under the influence of phases of the times such as carrying out colonial policies and each of them is linked complicatedly and causes troubles. After all their efforts concentrated on Independence of Korea, and Park No-Hun carried out his mission with help of 5 kisaengs of Myeong Wol Kwan. Finally he leaves for Shanghai with them.

A middle-aged woman in Busan searches for the son she lost in Gilsodom during the Korean War.

During the Japanese occupation of South Korea, a Japanese bureaucrat is ordered to persuade an influential Korean patriarch into obeying the law of changing his Korean surname to a Japanese one.

In 1980s South Korea, a former cop, now in destitution, is placed in a rehabilitation center, where, by chance, he finds the Communist guerilla who had eluded his capture more than 30 years ago.

After fourteen years in Japan a small-time crook returns to his hometown.

Gu Bong-seo and Kim Hui-gab are good buddies. Bong-seo has no where to go, so he lives at Hui-gab's place. Naturally, Hui-gab often gets into quarrels with his wife, and Bong-seo gets involved to help them reconcile. One day, Bong-seo wins a lottery. He saves Hui-gab from the financial trouble and returns to his hometown with the rest of the money.

A middle-aged man who has recently lost his wife to cancer indulges in fantasies about a young woman at his work, in the new film from Korean master Im Kwon-taek.

A young South Korean woman moves to an isolated mountain village, where all of the villagers are related except for a mysterious vagabond, to take up her first teaching post.

At the close of the reign of Sin the Great in Goguryeo (B.C.37-A.D.668), royalist Uso is executed by a false incrimination made by a treacherous retainer Yangsin and his sister Jangssi. His daughter becomes a royal concubine of King Nammu, and called Her Majesty Yeonghwa. She revenges herself on the party of Yangsin. After the king passes away, she makes his brother Yeonu accede to the throne and has the whole country under her thumb. But she has no child. When the king begets a son from another woman, she dies of jealousy at last.

After her father, failed at stock investment and was shocked to death, a girl enters a textile factory and supports her family. But living on her small salary and repaying her father's debt is too difficult for her. In the end, she tries to kill herself together with her young brother. But only her brother dies, and she, who survives, stands at the bar guilty of patricide. She deserves the death penalty, but the court takes into consideration her circumstances and is generous enough to open up a new road for her to start again. A real-life story.

Patriotic university student Youngwoo and his friends, led by their teacher Lee Sung, along with a British friend bid farewell to their families and become freedom fighters in Manchuria fighting against the Japanese occupation around the Tumen River.

A platoon of South Korean soldiers find themselves cut off from their squad without communication. They are aided by an old man in a nearby village who did not evacuate his home.

A young sailor arrives in Busan Harbour; an outrageous-looking, woolly bear of a man appears in downtown Busan with a shotgun over one shoulder, a heavy knapsack thrown over the other; a tough-looking young woman joins her friend in robbing a naïve fat man in a suit. The strands of character and story will slowly converge, well after the audience, tuned to the coincidences and mistaken identities of melodrama, has recognised that these three have a shared history and are fated to meet and reconcile.

Trainer Meng Doo-ho spots Young-chul in a bar fight and decides to turn him into a boxing champion.

During the Joseon dynasty, the adviser Choi manages to place his natural son on the throne. His ambitions are upset by the appearance of Young-mun, a man whose parents he had killed.

At the death of her father, A-mi returns to Korea and realises he was implicated in the theft of a chest full of gold bars. She then becomes the target of a criminal organisation.

Suk-jin, a naive Young woman lives on her own in Seoul. When her brother dies following a car accident, she finds out he had been having an affair with the wife of a businessman.

After the war, a journalist investigates a Communist leader in South Korea.

Young-hwan who is the descendant of a fallen noble family takes pure and innocent Adada as his wife. Because of Young-hwan's selfish desires, Adada seeks out her childhood friend Su-ryong. But he, too, becomes a slave to desire. Adada protests and dies by drowning.

A newlywed wife, Ji-sun moves to her husband's village in a rural area called Sambatgol where it is customary to have glossy charades, incompetence is prolific, and thus poverty is endemic. She starts to endeavor to break down all these vices. Her family and neighbors point accusing fingers at her first, but soon they are influenced by her to combine forces with her. In the meantime, longtime absent father of Gang-du returns to hids wife, who is Ji-sun's strong supporter and the chairperson of the village women's association. Gang-du's father, however, turns out to be an espionage agent sent from North Korea. He makes his mind up to denounce himself by persuasion of his wife, but he and his wife get killed by other espionage agents. At the funeral of these two, Ji-sun and the village people march in resolution of succeeding her will to make more endeavors in the developmental plan of the village.

Best friends Dae-gyu and Dal-su fight over Ok-hi. When Ok-hui marries and goes to Seoul the fight ends. After many years, Ok-hi is widowed and brings her daughter Ji-hyang to her home village, and the fight between Dae-gyu and Dal-su begins again. Ok-hui borrows some money from Dal-su when she is short of money while building a reservoir for the village. Dal-su lends money on the condition that she marry him if she cannot pay him back until the ground-breaking ceremony. And Dal-su's wife leaves. As Ok-hui fails to return the money, she tries to run away with Dae-gyu, but they run into Min, Dal-su's son, who demands them to pay back his father's money. Finally Dae-gyu and Dal-su meet and have a fight, but at last Dal-su sends him to Ok-hi, and he is happy to do so.

Two Korean college graduates arouse the suspicions of Japanese authorities after modernizing a rural community with a school and a youth hall.

In an effort to erase his disgrace, the mischievous Kim Hwan starts a movement to build birdnests but the old park keeper gets injured in his efforts. In order to get money for the park keeper's hospital fees, Hwan gets on his friend Chil-sung's boat to catch some fish. However, Hwan gets caught up in the tide and drifts off to sea where he is rescued by a Chinese ship. The Chinese ship tries to take Hwan to North Korea but Hwan resists with an anti-Communist will so strong he's willing to die. Hwan is safely returned to his home country. At the airport, Hwan's friends bring the old park keeper who is in a cast. They receive Hwan with beautiful music and performances.

Hye-seon grew up in an orphanage with Myeong-gu. They marry when they get older but strain on there relationship tears them apart. Pregnant and alone, Hye-aeon wonders where to turn.

King Sukjong assigns Jang Ok-nan, a court lady, as a concubine overnight. Jang plots to drive the current Queen into exile.

A historical drama about the life of Prince Yeonsan of Joseon,.

June 25, 1950. When second lieutenant Jang has a date with his girl friend during weekend, numerous North Korean jet fighters make sudden air raids to the skies of Seoul. It is the beginning of Korean War. In spite of Korean Army's brave defense, North Korean army reddens South Korea with their state-of-the-art weapons. This movie describes the progress of war from the invasion in June 25, 1950 to the reclamation of territory on the basis of Sun-A's personal experience. Also this film reminds hard lessons from tragic history.

In-chul in his fifth year gets lost due to a ship wreck on his way back from a remote island and drifts to the border between the South and North Korea. In-chul meets North Korean boy Dong-man who collects used metals for living. Although difference of their background limits their conversation, Dong-man is moved by In-chul's innocence and cross the border with him. Unfortunately, they get shot by the army of North Korea and die.

An omnibus of three stories all taking place in the Myeongdong district of Seoul.

Kwon Dal-ho is a teacher who wants to make his 3rd grade class the best. Yu-dae becomes the class representative and Ki-pyo, the leader of the ten troublesome students who’ve been held back, transfers to his class to the chagrin of the other kids…

A documentary covering the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

After the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Iljimae, a master of the interlaced sword method, heads to Japan to find the national treasure, the Cheonryongsword, which was robbed by the Japanese pirate Kuroda. Around this time, there were two more men looking for Kuroda, one of them was Ma-cheol, a one-armed swordsman who lost his left arm due to Kuroda's trick, and the other was Kuroda's henchman Okamodo, who lost his newlywed wife and even lost his own eyes. This is Yoshiyama, the swordsman who lost his mind. At first, the three knights, who met by chance, were wary of each other for their own goals, but were captured by Kuroda's persistent pursuit. In the end, after a bloody fight, they succeed in revenge, and Iljimae returns home with the recovered Cheonryongsword.

During the reign of King Yeongjo in the Joseon Dynasty (1302-1910), the villainous retainer party led by Jang Ji-hang gains power after cutting the head off a royalist Hong seong-won. His son Hong Guk-yeong passes a state exam and tries to assist the king in ruling well, but he is also put to death by Jang's false incrimination. But he is called a faithful politician in history.

In 1946, Tae-woong, a man nicknamed "The Bear" who dominated the streets of Busan with his fists, have returned after twenty years. Tae-woong is still haunted by his former love, Yeonsuk, and is confused when he meets Jung-hee, who looks exactly like Yeonsuk. Meanwhile, Dal-ji, a former subordinate of Tae-woong's, schemes to get rid of him.

A depiction of the life and fate of a physically weak woman who has strong maternal love.

Gyu-hwa and Jin-wu are old friends with very different personalities. Their friend Mi-yeon used to be close to Jin-wu but when she grows up, she becomes a prisoner of Gyu-hwa's aggressive behavior. Gyu-hwa takes Ga-hi away from Jin-wu when he discovers that she comes from a wealthy family. But Gyu-hwa begins to have an affair with an older widow and begins to abuse Mi-yeon, the mother of his daughter.

Inspection of the plot Ministry of Public Security Inspector Gangmun-gil is enjoying a picnic with his family on holidays. He wakes up in a nearby neighborhood where he picks up rusty shells from nearby Kangdongsan and witnesses a devastating explosion. The family members of the Kang test who have not escaped from Seoul are caught by the Communist army. Even at the end of all torture, his wife, Shinhee, does not cover the area where the river exam is hidden. However, the spy Choi Choi, who was sentenced to death, does everything he can to find out the location of the river exam. The Kang test finds the importance of security with the people of all walks of life who have imagined the last moment when his family is put to death.

Driving along the coast, Hyun-ju is riding in Sun-ho's cab. They are going to see Hyun-ju's first love of twelve years past. Hyun-ju tells Sun-ho of her memories with Min-sub, her first love. Deeply engrossed in her story, Sun-ho sincerely hopes for their reunion. They arrive at their destination but Min-sub has already moved beyond Hyun-ju and the scars of their love a long time ago. Hyun-ju and Sun-ho spend a day together in the town. Sun-ho falls in love with Hyun-ju, her pain and her scars. The next day, Hyun-ju leaves to return to her family and Sun-ho is left with emptiness.

A depiction of the life and fate of a physically weak woman who has strong maternal love.

In a time of political and social unrest in 19th century Korea, uncouth, self-taught painter Jang Seung-up explores his natural talent amidst the repressive world around him.

A historical drama about the life of Prince Yeonsan of Joseon,.

Abengo Corps is under the direct control of headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. In order to conceal the Inchon Landing Operation, Abengo is assigned to the Wonsan Landing Operation as a decoy mission. With the operation soon at hand, the members of this operation go on a special vacation to Busan. Among them is Il-gyu. He meets with Bae Su-na, a refugee, and they spend a passionate, touching night of love together. The members perform their duties as ordered. Lieutenant Colonel Koh receives a coded message from the headquarters. Koh realizes that his men are a diversion for the Inchon Landing Operation. Lieutenant Koh is angered and resentful. And Lieutenant Sung is chosen to enter the battle instead of Lieutenant Colonel Koh. During the January 4 Retreat, Lieutenant Sung meets Su-na, who has had Il-gyu's son. Lieutenant Sung helps her out.

There is trouble in a fishing village on a remote southern island. The catch has been meagre and Wang-nyeoni, the local shaman, is on strike: she refuses to perform a ritual to turn fortunes around. In flashback we learn how she married into a shaman (dang-gol) family, tried her best to help her husband succeed as fisherman, but found both their lives blighted by Pan-su, the village boss and main ship-owner. After agreeing to return to duty, blessing the fishing fleet, Wang-nyeoni will serve up cold revenge in spectacular style.

A partially restored version of Director Im Kwon-taek's Bhiksuni, which was halted in 1984 due to opposition from the Buddhist community. It contains the agony of a woman who has converted to Buddhism. The documentary, which is shown together with the partially restored version, contains the story of the production of Bhiksuni told by actress Kim Ji-mi, director Im Kwon-taek, cinematographer Jung Il-sung, and writer Song Gil-han.