44 Korean Films at the 2009 Marrakech International Film Festival

In a celebration of Korean film, a record 44 will screen at this year's 2009 International Film Festival of Marrakech. In addition, representatives from Korean government organizations, the Korean film industry: producers, directors, actors and film festival delegates will be in attendance. The festival, which began in 2000 has in the past focused on the national cinemas of Italy, Egypt and Spain. This year, signaling the growing importance of Korean film and certainly spurred by recent successes such as Bong Joon-ho's "Mother - 2009" and Park Chan-wook's "Thirst", the festival turns its eyes to South Korea.

A whole host of Korean directors will accompany their films to the festival: Im Kwon-taek, the godfather of Korean cinema with "Surrogate Mother" (1986), "Seopyeonjae" (1993) "Chihwaseon" ("Strikes of Fire" - 2002) and more; LEE Do-yong "The Oldest Son" (1984); LEE Chang-ho "The Man with Three" Coffins (1988); Jang Sun-woo "Lies" (1999) and other directors; Park Chan-wook "Thirst" (2009); Yang Ik-joon "Breathless" (2008); Jeon Soo-il "With a Girl of Black Soil" (2008); Lee Hae-joon "Castaway on the Moon" (2009);

Producers include KIM Moo-ryeong ("Castaway on the Moon", 2008) and KIM Hyo-jeong ("Tokyo Taxi", 2009). For the fans, a number of Korean stars will also accompany their films: "Surrogate Mother"'s Kang Soo-yeon, "Peppermint Candy"'s Moon So-ri, "Castaway on the Moon"'s Jeong Ryeo-won, and PARK Chan-wook-directed "Thirst"'s Kim Ok-bin. Korean Film Council chairman CHO Hee-moon will also be present as well as well as Korean Film Archive Chairman, LEE Byeong-Hun.

The International Film Festival of Marrakech, chaired by Prince Moulay Rachid, will begin December 4 and wrap up 8 days later on the 12th.

David Oxenbridge (KOFIC)