Asian Films Compete at Cannes

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Eight local films will be among the Asian films heading to the 58th Cannes Film Festival, taking part in competition and non-competition categories from May 11-22 and presents 53 films from 28 countries.

"Tale of Cinema (Kukjangjon)" directed by Hong Sang-soo will compete with 20 films, such as "A History of Violence" by David Cronernberg and "Sin City", starring Bruce Willis and Mickey Rourke in the competition section.

With the invitation marking Hong's fourth advance to the Cannes festival, the film revolves around a man who watches a movie and then runs into the lead actress of the film when leaving the cinema.

Along with "Tale of Cinema", four other Asian films are also in the running for the top prize. They include "Shanghai Dreams" by Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai, one of the prominent figures of what has been dubbed China's "Sixth Generation;" Japan's Masahiro Kobayashi with "Bashing;" Taiwan's Hou Hsiao-Hsien with "The Best of Our Times".

"A Bittersweet Life", directed by Kim Jee-woon, a story about the revenge of a right-hand man of a gang leader against his boss, will be shown along with 13 other works including renowned director Woody Allen's "Match Point" and the much anticipated "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" by George Lucas, screening before its theatrical debut May 19

In the category of Un Certain Regard, Kim Ki-duk's latest work "The Bow", a story about the friendship between a young girl and an old man, will be shown along with other films by young and seasoned directors.

In the Cine Foundation section, where short films by young talented students at film schools are invited, "Walk on a Little More" by Shim Min-young will be shown.

Other local films shown at Cannes are "Crying Fist" by Ryoo Seung-wan, "The President's Last Bang" by Im Sang-soo, the classic "King Boxer" by Jeong Chang-hwa and the Chinese-Korean co-production "Grain in Ear".