When I Turned Nine, a story about schoolchildren in rural Korea, came away the unexpected winner of the Chunsa Film Art Awards on November 19.
The film by
Yoon In-ho was presented withthe Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay (
Lee Man-hee), and the Child Acting Award (shared by
Lee Se-yeong,
Kim Seok,
Nah A-hyeon and
Kim Myeong-jae). Released in March 2004, When I Was Nine attracted 340,000 viewers and a warm critical reception upon its release.
Meanwhile Cannes Grand Prix-winner Old Boy by
Park Chan-wook was given the Best Actor award (
Choi Min-sik), Best Cinematography (JEONG Jeong-hoon), Editing (
Kim Sang-beom), and a Special Jury Prize for
Park Chan-wook shared by Tae Guk Gi's
Kang Je-gyu and
Silmido's
Kang Woo-seok.
Other awards presented included a tie for Best Actress between
Kim Hye-soo (
Hypnotized) and
Lee Na-young (
Someone Special); Best Supporting Actor to Jung Doo-hong (
Fighter in the Wind); Best Supporting Actress to GOH Doo-shim (My Mother the Mermaid); Best New Director to KIM Hak-soon (Rewind); Best New Actor to
Won Bin (
Taegukgi); and Best New Actress to
Moon Geun-yeong (
My Little Bride).
The Chunsa Film Art Awards, named in honor of actor/director NA Woon-kyu from the silent film era, were held for the first time in 1990.
