Veteran master
Im Kwon-taek will begin production on his HD debut next month, a feature drama on the traditional Korean paper art of hanji, titled
"Hanji". The 75-year-old director's 101st film will be his first venture into digital cinema, prompting him to switch from his longtime cinematographer JUNG Il-sung to work with the young, HD-experienced DOP,
Hwang Ki-seok.
The new project was supported by KOFIC's newly launched Masters' Films Production Support Program which aims to elevate Korea's top name directors on the international stage and produce high-quality art films. The Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF), known for producing various digital films, will produce the project.
The lead cast includes two of Korea's most well-known stars from the past, actress
Kang Soo-yeon and actor
Park Joong-hoon, playing characters who dedicate their lives to the art of making hanji. KANG, who made her debut in the 80s, reunites with director IM after 20 years. She won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for IM's 1987 international breakthrough, The Surrogate Mother.
The US $1.7 million film plans to have its premiere as the opening film of JIFF in late April, and possibly be introduced at Cannes in May. IM's 2002 feature "Chihwaseon" ("
Strokes of fire") was the first Korean feature to win an award at Cannes, fetching him the Best Director prize.
Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)
