Universal Pictures (UPI) and London-based Focus Features will invest in and co-produce director PARK Chan-wook's latest film, "Thirst", currently in production. They will join chief investor CJ Entertainment, which has so far driven the project.
The deal, announced Sept. 11th by UPI president Christian Grass, Focus CEO James Schamus and CJ CEO KIM Soo-jung, marks the first time a USstudio has backed a Korean film in production. UPI will also handle stateside distribution while Focus looks to its UK release.
The move is a sign of great confidence in the film's commercial prospects. Director PARK is renowned international for his vengeance trilogy, particularly centerpiece Old Boy which won the Cannes Grand Prize in 2004. Lead actor SONG Kang-ho is a big draw locally and highly regarded internationally for his performances in BONG Joon-ho's "The Host" and LEE Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine".
"Thirst" (Korean title - "Bakjwi") is the tale of a priest who, while undergoing...| More
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A paler Song Kang-ho said, "It took 23 hours and 50 minutes to come to Martinez Hotel from Pusan where I was filming "Thirst"". It is his second year coming to Cannes, last year with "Secret Sunshine"and this year with "The Good, the Bad, the Weird". He hopes that "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" can be a movie to revive the Korean movie industry from its slump. It has a screening on the 24th out of competition.
On the 23rd, Song Kang-ho consented to an interview for forty minutes on a hotel terrace, and continued to share fun stories while having dinner. He was tired, but he willingly answered questions about "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" and "Thirst" for the Korean reporters that visited Cannes. His hearty laughter spread across the café.
-This is your second year in a row at Cannes. Your current thoughts and feelings?
"Secret Sunshine" and "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" both have weird themes, and I'm glad that I was able to attend the most famous film festival.
There are many stars who have various talents, and there are many black-belt holders in the entertainment industry.
Kim Ok-bin is a second degree.
Also, Eric Moon and Son Seong-hee, Dong Bang Shin Ki's Xiah Junsu and Yunho, Hyeon Bin and Ko Soo, even Seo Tai-ji are second degrees.
Won Bin is also a third degree.
Female stars Hwang Bo and Kim Hye-soo are third degrees. Isn't it a little unexpected?
Jang Woo-hyuk, Im Chang-jeong and Kim Bo-seong are third degrees, and Jo In-Seong, Shin Hye-sung and Choi Si-won are fourth degrees, and anyone can acknowledge their skill.
Tiger JK has a fifth degree, and Lee Dong-joon-I, the middle-aged actor in "Ah Hyeon Dong's Madam", is a seventh degree.
A seventh degree is almost professional level, and it is unexpected that such gentle-looking actors are black belt holders....| More
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PARK Chan-wook keeps demanding international attention. After the recent disclosure of Charlize Theron's plan to produce and star in a remake of PARK's "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" (Chinjeorhan Geumjassi)",I'm a Cyborg, but that's Ok" (Ssaibogeujiman Gwaenjanha) is scheduled for a release in UK cinemas on April 4.
One of the leading progressive newspapers The Guardian interviewed PARK for the occasion. I'm a Cyborg, but that's Ok is praised for its beautiful visuals and its 'offbeat charms'. PARK intended to make a film which his 12-year-old daughter is also able to watch with her friends. The interview – inevitably – also deals with his famed vengeance trilogy and violence in film and society.
"I'm a Cyborg, but that's Ok's" cast includes Korea's major stars IM Soo-jeong and JUNG Ji-hoon (pop star "Rain"). Both portray characters in a mental institute. "Rain"'s character falls in love with a girl who believes she is a cyborg.
"Rain" is currently one of the numerous Korean...| More
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A representative of Park Chan-wook's new movie "Evil Live" said, "In addition to Song Kang-ho, Kim Hae-sook, Sin Ha-gyoon, Kim Ok-bin and other actors have finished reading the screenplay. They are all eager to try their best".
The exciting thing is that Song Kang-ho is playing a vampire pastor. He plays Sang-hyun, who goes to his friend Kang-woo's (Sin Ha-gyoon) house and is enchanted by his wife Tae-joo (Kim Ok-bin) and falls in love.
Sang-hyun gets infected by an unknown virus, becomes a vampire, and undergoes an identity crisis. He also perceives the presence of a ghost at Kang-woo's house.
The relationship between Tae-joo and Kang-woo's mother, who is paranoid about losing her son to Tae-joo, is also interesting.
Tae-joo endures maltreatment from her mother-in-law and is torn apart as she also starts a dangerous love with Sang-hyun. Many actresses wanted the role of Tae-joo, but director Park Chan-wook chose Kim Ok-bin.
One representative said, "The mother-in-law an...| More
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Actress 
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