Director KIM Ki-duk's new feature "Time" has been selected as the opening film of the 41st Karlovy Vary International Film Festival which begins next month in the Czech Republic.
The 13th feature film by Kim Ki-duk, "ime" will have its World Premier at the festival which is set to open June 30th in the Bohemian spa town of Karlovy Vary.
KIM's Time will star Actress Sung Hyeon-ah (The Scarlet Letter, Woman is the Future of Man) and actor Ha Jeong-woo (She's on Duty, The Unforgiven) in the lead roles. In keeping with KIM's daring perspectives on modern life and relationships, the film will tell the tale of a couple's fading love and the extreme measures they will go through, including changing their appearances, to revitalize their passion.
Karlovy Vary Festival Director Jiri Bartoska said "it is an honor for us that this year's festival will start off with the world premiere of a new film by Kim Ki-duk". Director KIM, who is no stranger to the festival circuit where his films are warmly received, added in a statement that Karlovy Vary has "the purest and most genuine spirit for film admirers".
In 2003 KIM was invited to the festival with his film "The Coast Guard" which won three prizes: the Karlovy Vary Award, the International Federation of Film Critics Award and the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema Award. A retrospective of his films has also been held at the festival.
On the home front, there are no plans yet for a domestic release of Time, where director KIM is not so much in favor with the Korean press and public. His previous film "The Bow" was a failure at the Korean box-office despite KIM's strategy of releasing it on only one screen in Seoul.
Internationally, KIM's films are shown in competition slots at more festivals than any other Korean director. In 2004 he took two prestigious Best Director awards, a Silver Bear in Berlin for Samaria and a Silver Lion for 3-Iron at the Venice International Film Festival.
Mr. Nigel DSa, who teaches English at Hanyang University in Seoul, serves as assistant editor and staff writer for The Seoul Times. Mr. DSa has been contributing many articles to a number of publications. Mr. DSa specializes in film and other cultural affairs.
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