PIFF retrospective to focus on Kim Jimi

Each year the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) holds a Korean Cinema Retrospective, offering local and overseas audiences a glimpse into the glories of Korean film history. This year's spotlight is on actress KIM Jimi, considered a goddess of the golden age, appearing in more than 700 films throughout her career.

Discovered as a teenager in the late 50s, KIM got her start in a film by director HONG Sung-ki and began to be noticed in famed director Kim Ki-young's "Twilight Train" (1957). The 15th PIFF will present 8 feature films from various periods throughout her long career. The earliest is 1959's "Three O'Clock" on a "Rainy Afternoon" by PARK Jong-ho.

Other films in the retrospective include venerable director KIM Soo-yong's 1975 masterpiece "Earth", surrealist genius Kim Ki-young's "Promises of the Flesh" (1975), and two films by veteran master Im Kwon-taek, "Gilsotteum" (1985) and "Ticket" (1986). The selection rounds out with films "The Tiger Moth" (1965) by JO Hae-Won, "How's Your Wife?" (1966) by LEE Seong-Gu and "Eul-hwa" (1979) by BYUN Jang-Ho.

Actress KIM was often compared to Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor for her western style appearance and turbulent personal life. KIM will be present at the festival and receive a 'Director's Chair' from the Korean Cinema Retrospective's sponsor, Hermes Korea. A reception will be held in her honor during PIFF.

Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)