'Korean Wave' break on Cannes

Korean films are faring well at this year's Cannes film market, with European countries showing a special interest in Korean cinema.

Bae Yong-joon's upcoming melodrama "April Snow" and horror movie A.P.T. are just two whose deals were closed at Marche du Film, the market part of the Cannes Film Festival.

Marche du Film is the largest film market in the world with 8,281 participants from 2,977 companies in 79 countries taking part this year.

Local distributor Mirovision confirmed that A.P.T. was sold at a figure just shy of $3 million. Despite the fact that the movie's script is still unfinished, Mirovision said it believes that director Ahn Byeong-ki's reputation as a horror film director and the quality of the comic series the movie will be based on contributed to the early sale of its distribution rights. Ahn directed "Bunshinsaba" and the local production of "Ring".

"Beast", a suspense thriller starring Kwon Sang-woo and Yoo Ji-tae set for domestic release in December, was sold to Japanese Amuse Soft Entertainment at the third-highest price followed only by "One Fine Spring Day" and "Hyongsa".

CIPA of France bought the distribution rights to "The President's Last Bang" while English distributor Tartan Film bought "Blood Rain", the period piece currently topping the local box office chart.

Aside from the Korean film companies taking part in the market, eight of the nation's films are being shown in the competition and non-competition categories at Cannes.

"Tale of Cinema", directed by Hong Sang-soo, is competing for the grand prize of the event, which is running through May 22.

Kim Ki-duk's "The Bow" is screening in the Un Certain Regard category. Other films at Cannes include "Crying Fist", "The President's Last Bang" and the Chinese-Korean co-production "Grain in Ear".