Celebrated Korean director Im Kwon-taek (72) visits the 30th International Moscow Film Festival for the first time in 20 years. The festival is presenting a special retrospective on the filmmaker.
The 30th International Moscow Film Festival which opened on June 19 is presenting a special retrospective on legendary Korean director Im Kwon-taek. The event prompted the 72-year-old filmmaker to visit the Russian city for the first time in 20 years, but Im didn't seem happy when the Chosun Ilbo met up with him there. Rather than his feelings on visiting Moscow again, foremost on the director's mind were his concerns about the Korean film industry.
Im declared, with a note of guilt, that everyone in the Korean film industry -- including himself -- should be blamed for the falling market share of Korean films. "Movie fans have grown disappointed with Korean films because those working in the industry have just tried to jump on the bandwagon of the industry's boom without careful preparation", he said bitterly. "Even I made movies recklessly, too, producing 50 works within a period of 10 years".
But the Korean director still has hope and expectations for younger filmmakers. "Because I believe that Korean movie makers are highly qualified and able, the difficulties we are facing now can be overcome if we devote ourselves to making quality movies", he said. Im singled out his own experiences to illuminate his point. He had wanted to produce his 1993 film "Sopyonje" since the novel of the same name by Lee Cheong-joon was published in 1978. But he had to wait for over 10 years until he found the right actor (Kim Myeong-gon) and actress (Oh Jeong-hae) for the characters. Then he faced another obstacle -- the production company opposed the project, doubting it would succeed at the box office.
"I did everything I could to persuade the production company because it was the kind of work I wanted to make all my life", he recalled. "Fortunately people loved the movie. It was all thanks to moviegoers that a film like 'Sopyonje' was able to succeed despite its weaknesses".
Im last attended the Moscow Film Festival in 1989, when his film "Aje Aje Bara Aje" ("Come Come Come Upward") won the Best Actress prize. The special retrospective will continue until June 30.
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