Im Kwon-taek
Encyclopedia
Im Kwon-taek is one of South Korea
's most renowned film directors. In an active and prolific career, his films have won many domestic and international film festival awards as well as considerable box-office success, and helped bring international attention to the Korean film industry.
and grew up in Gwangju
. After the Korean War
, he moved to Busan
in search of work. He then moved to Seoul
in 1956, where director of Five Fingers of Death
(1972), Jeong Chang-hwa offered him room and board for work as a production assistant. Jeong recommended him for directing in 1961
.
film, Farewell to the Duman River
(Dumanganga jal itgeola).
Before 1980 he was known primarily as a commercial filmmaker who could efficiently direct as many as eight genre pictures a year, helping to fulfill the quota for domestic pictures set by the governmenthttp://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=530. His desire to make more artistically satisfying films began to show itself with his 1978
film Jokbo (Genealogy or The Family Tree), but the turning point of his career came with the 1981
film Mandala
. From this point his films have been regarded as art-house cinema
, and have been regularly shown at international film festivals, and have won numerous awards.
Im has continued to explore themes from Korea's past while also focusing on the Korean cultural identity in modern times. Among Im's most notable recent films are Sopyonje
(1993) and Chunhyang
(2000), both of which concentrate on the traditional Korean musical art of pansori
. The latter film was also based on a traditional Korean legend. Apart from being a critical success, Sopyonje was also a success at the box office, becoming the first domestic film to draw over a million viewers in Seoul
alone. Chihwaseon
(2002) was also a critical success, earning him Korea's first Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival
. Im Kwon-taek was awarded an honorary Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2005.
Im Kwon-taek's status, brought on by the critical success of his films, overlapped with a period of the film movement called "New Korean Cinema" or "Korean New Wave". Along with other directors, such as Park Gwang-su and Jang Sun-woo
, Im is recognized as one of the founding figures of the movement, which gained international critical recognition and acclaim for Korean Cinema.
In April 2007, Im released his 100th film Beyond the Years
, an informal sequel to Sopyonje. In November 2007 the French government announced that it would make Im a knight of the French Legion of Honor
.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
's most renowned film directors. In an active and prolific career, his films have won many domestic and international film festival awards as well as considerable box-office success, and helped bring international attention to the Korean film industry.
Early life
Im Kwon-taek was born in Jangseong, Jeollanam-doJeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...
and grew up in Gwangju
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
. After the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, he moved to Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
in search of work. He then moved to Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
in 1956, where director of Five Fingers of Death
Five Fingers of Death
King Boxer aka Five Fingers of Death , is a 1972 martial arts film directed by Chang-wha Chung and starring Lo Lieh. Made in Hong Kong, it is one of many kung fu-themed movies with Lo Lieh in the lead...
(1972), Jeong Chang-hwa offered him room and board for work as a production assistant. Jeong recommended him for directing in 1961
1961 in film
The year 1961 in film involved some significant events, with West Side Story winning 10 Academy Awards.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:* Atlantis, the Lost ContinentB...
.
Career
Im's directorial premiere was with the 19621962 in film
The year 1962 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May - The Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards are officially founded by the Taiwanese government....
film, Farewell to the Duman River
Farewell to the Duman River
Farewell to the Duman River is a South Korean film. Celebrated director Im Kwon-taek's first film, it became a huge hit, establishing his reputation as a director and ensuring him a career in the film industry for the next decade.-Synopsis:Farewell to the Duman River is an action film about...
(Dumanganga jal itgeola).
Before 1980 he was known primarily as a commercial filmmaker who could efficiently direct as many as eight genre pictures a year, helping to fulfill the quota for domestic pictures set by the governmenthttp://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=530. His desire to make more artistically satisfying films began to show itself with his 1978
1978 in film
The year 1978 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California....
film Jokbo (Genealogy or The Family Tree), but the turning point of his career came with the 1981
1981 in film
-Events:*January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it....
film Mandala
Mandala (film)
Mandala is a 1981 South Korean film about Buddhist monks in Korea. This is considered by many critics to be director Im Kwon-taek's breakthrough film as a cinematic artist.- Plot :The film follows the differing lives of two Buddhist monks in Korea...
. From this point his films have been regarded as art-house cinema
Art film
An art film is the result of filmmaking which is typically a serious, independent film aimed at a niche market rather than a mass market audience...
, and have been regularly shown at international film festivals, and have won numerous awards.
Im has continued to explore themes from Korea's past while also focusing on the Korean cultural identity in modern times. Among Im's most notable recent films are Sopyonje
Sopyonje
Sopyonje is a South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek in 1993. Its story tells of a family of traditional Korean pansori singers trying to make a living in the modern world. The film was originally expected to only draw limited interest, and was released on only one screen in Seoul...
(1993) and Chunhyang
Chunhyang (2000 film)
Chunhyang is a 2000 Korean film, directed by Im Kwon-taek and starring Lee Hyo-jeong and Jo Seung-woo. It was entered into the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
(2000), both of which concentrate on the traditional Korean musical art of pansori
Pansori
Pansori is a genre of Korean traditional music. It is a vocal and percussional music performed by one sorikkun and one gosu . The term pansori is derived from pan , and sori .- Overview :...
. The latter film was also based on a traditional Korean legend. Apart from being a critical success, Sopyonje was also a success at the box office, becoming the first domestic film to draw over a million viewers in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
alone. Chihwaseon
Chi-hwa-seon
Chi-hwa-seon or Chwi-hwa-seon, , is a 2002 South Korean drama film directed by Im Kwon-taek about Jang Seung-up , a nineteenth-century Korean painter who changed the direction of Korean art.-Synopsis:It begins with the Korean artist being suspicious of a Japanese...
(2002) was also a critical success, earning him Korea's first Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
. Im Kwon-taek was awarded an honorary Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2005.
Im Kwon-taek's status, brought on by the critical success of his films, overlapped with a period of the film movement called "New Korean Cinema" or "Korean New Wave". Along with other directors, such as Park Gwang-su and Jang Sun-woo
Jang Sun-woo
Jang Sun-woo is a South Korean film director. Before his directorial debut, Jang made a name for himself by writing film criticism and scripts...
, Im is recognized as one of the founding figures of the movement, which gained international critical recognition and acclaim for Korean Cinema.
In April 2007, Im released his 100th film Beyond the Years
Beyond the Years
Beyond the Years is a 2007 South Korean film. Celebrated director Im Kwon-taek's 100th film, it is based on the novel The Wanderer of Seonhakdong, and was presented at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival...
, an informal sequel to Sopyonje. In November 2007 the French government announced that it would make Im a knight of the French Legion of Honor
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
.
1960s
| Title | Cast | Released |
|---|---|---|
| Farewell to the Duman River Farewell to the Duman River Farewell to the Duman River is a South Korean film. Celebrated director Im Kwon-taek's first film, it became a huge hit, establishing his reputation as a director and ensuring him a career in the film industry for the next decade.-Synopsis:Farewell to the Duman River is an action film about... 두만강아 잘 있거라 Dumanganga jal itgeola |
1962 | |
| Old Man in the Combat Zone aka The War and an Old Man 전쟁과 노인 Jeonjaenggwa noin |
1962 | |
| Actors Disguised as Women 남자는 안팔려 Namjaneun anpallyeo |
1963 | |
| Actors Disguised as Women 남자는 안팔려 Namjaneun anpallyeo |
1963 | |
| A Wife Turned to Stone 망부석 Mangbuseog |
1963 | |
| The Throne Memorial Drum 신문고 Shinmungo |
1963 | |
| The End of Desire 욕망의 결산 Yogmangui gyeolsan |
1964 | |
| Father of Ten Daughters 십자매 선생 Shibjamae seonsaeng |
1964 | |
| The Prince's Revolt 단장록 Danjang lok |
1963 | |
| The Latecomer 단골 지각생 Dangol jikaksaeng |
1964 | |
| The Ten-Year Rule 십년세도 Shibnyeon sedo |
1964 | |
| Queen Yongwha's Avenger 영화 마마 Yeonghwa mama |
1964 | |
| Death of an Informer 빗 속에 지다 Bitsoke jida |
1965 | |
| A Bogus Nobleman 왕과 상노 Wanggwa sangno |
1966 | |
| Schoolmistress on the Battlefield 전쟁과 여교사 Jeonjaenggwa yeogyosa |
1966 | |
| Miss Ok and the Divided Court 법창을 울린 옥이 Beobchangeul ullin oki |
1966 | |
| I Am a King 나는 왕이다 Naneum wang-ida |
1966 | |
| A Triangle in Noble Families 닐니리 Nilniri |
1966 | |
| The Feudal Tenant 청사초롱 Cheongsa choryong |
1967 | |
| Swordsmen 풍운의 검객 Pungunui geomgaek |
1967 | |
| A Wife Retrieved 망향천리 Manghyang cheonri |
1968 | |
| Femme Fatale, Jang Hee-bin Femme Fatale, Jang Hee-bin Femme Fatale, Jang Hee-bin or Concubine Jang Hui-bin is a 1968 South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek.- Plot :A concubine, Jang ok jung, is made queen by King Sukjong, and plots to drive the old queen into exile. After her plot fails due to the intervention of nobles loyal to the old queen,... 요화 장희빈 Yohwa Jang Huibin |
1968 | |
| A Man Called the Wind 바람 같은 사나이 Baramgateun sanai |
1968 | |
| The Waking Woman 몽녀 夢女 Mongnyeo |
1968 | |
| Return from the Sea / Return of the Left-Handed Man 돌아온 왼손잡이 Dolaon winsonjabi |
1968 | |
| Three Generations of Men Sanai samdae |
1969 | |
| Best Friends and Their Wives / Rain on Gomo Bridge 비나리는 고모령 Binaerineun gomoryeong |
1969 | |
| Escape from Shanghai 상해 탈출 Shanghai talchul |
1969 | |
| Night of the Full Moon 십오야 Shiboya |
1969 | |
| Thunder Sword 뇌검 Roegeom |
1969 | |
| Eagle of the Plains 황야의 독수리 Hwangyaui doksori |
1969 | |
| Would You Help Me? 신세 좀 지자구요 Shinse jom jijaguyo |
1969 | |
| Would You Help Me? 신세 좀 지자구요 Shinse jom jijaguyo |
1969 | |
1970s
| Title | Cast | Released |
|---|---|---|
| Swords Under the Moon 월하의 검 Wolhaui geom |
1970 | |
| One-Eyed Mr. Park 애꾸눈 박 Aeggunun Park |
1970 | |
| Unmarried Mother 이슬 맞은 백일홍 Iseulmajeun baekilhong |
1970 | |
| A Vagabond's Story 비나리는 선창가 Binaerineun seonchangga |
1970 | |
| A Woman Pursued 그여자를 쫓아라 Geu yeojareul jjochara |
1970 | |
| Man on the Night Train 밤차로 온 사나이 Bamcharo on sanai |
1970 | |
| The Flying Sword 비검 Bigeom |
1970 | |
| A Snapshot and a Murder 속눈썹이 긴 여자 Soknunseobi kin yeoja |
1970 | |
| Snowing on Grudge Street 원한의 거리에 눈이 내린다 Wonhanui geori nuni naerinda |
1971 | |
| The 30-Year Showdown 30년만의 대결 30 nyeonmanui daegyeol |
1971 | |
| Revenge of Two Sons 원한의 두 꼽추 Weonhan ui tu kkobchu |
1971 | |
| In Search of the Secret Agent / 'Don't torture me anymore 나를 더 이상 괴롭히지 마라 Nareul deoisang goerobhiji mara |
1971 | |
| Swordswoman 요검 Yogeom |
1971 | |
| A Stepmother's Heartache 둘째 어머니 Duljjae eomeoni |
1971 | |
| Gangsters of Myongdong / Whirl of betrayals on Myeongdong 명동 삼국지 Myeongdong samgukji |
1972 | |
| Cruelty on the Streets of Myongdong 명동 잔혹사 Myeongdong janhoksa |
1972 | |
| Arrivals and Departures / One Returns and the Other Leaves 돌아온 자와 떠나야 할 자 Dolaon jawa ddeonaya hal ja |
1972 | |
| Seize the Precious Sword 삼국대협 三國大俠 Samguk daehyeob |
1972 | |
| Five Hostesses for the Resistance Janganmyeonggi obaekwa |
1973 | |
| Pursuit of the Bandits / The Big Chase 대추격 Daechugyeok |
1973 | |
| The Deserted Widow / Weeds 잡초 Jabcho |
1973 | |
| The Testimony 증언 證言 Jeungeon |
1973 | |
| Wives on Parade 아내들의 행진 아내들의 行進 Anaedeului haengjin |
1974 | |
| I'll Never Cry Again 울지 않으리 Ulji aneuri |
1974 | |
| The Hidden Princess 연화 Yeonhwa |
1974 | |
| The Hidden Princess, Part 2 연화 2 Yeonhwa 2 |
1974 | |
| Who and Why? 왜 그랬던가 Wae guraetdeonga |
1974 | |
| Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 어제 오늘 그리고 내일 Eoje, oneul, geurigo naeil |
1975 | |
| A Byegone Romance / Wang Sib Ri, My Hometown 왕십리 Wangshibri |
1976 | |
| Overcome by Misfortunes / Barefoot In The Snow 맨발의 눈길 Maenbalui nunkil |
1976 | |
| Commando on the Nakdong River 낙동강은 흐르는가 洛東江은 흐르는가 Nakdongkaneun heureuneunga |
1976 | |
| Wife / The Industrious Wife 아내 Anae |
1976 | |
| The Virtuous Woman / The Life of Okrye 옥례기 Okryegi |
1977 | |
| Madame Kye in the Imjin War 임진왜란과 계월향 壬辰倭亂과 桂月香 Imjinrangwa gyewolhyang |
1977 | |
| The Evergreen Tree 상록수 常綠樹 Sangroksu |
1978 | |
| Near Yet Far Away 가깝고도 먼 길 Gaggabgodo meon kil |
1978 | |
| Again Tomorrow 내일 또 내일 Naeil ddo naeil |
1979 | |
| The Genealogy The Genealogy The Genealogy is a 1979 South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek.-Synopsis:During the era of Japanese occupation, Sol Jin-young, a Korean patriarch refuses to obey the law to change the family's name to a Japanese name. Tani, a member of the Japanese occupation forces, is sent to persuade Sol to... / The Family Pedigree 족보 族譜 Jokbo |
1979 | |
| The Little Adventurer 저 파도 위에 엄마 얼굴이 Jeo padowie eoma eolguli |
1979 | |
| No Glory / The Hidden Hero The Hidden Hero The Hidden Hero is a 1980 South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek. It was chosen as Best Film at the Grand Bell Awards.-Synopsis:... 깃발없는 기수 깃발없는 旗手 Gitbaleobtneun gisu |
1979 | |
| The Divine Bow 신궁 神弓 Shingung |
1979 | |
1980s
| Title | Cast | Released |
|---|---|---|
| The Wealthy Woman / Mrs. Speculator 복부인 Bokbuin |
1980 | |
| Pursuit of Death 짝코 Jagko |
1980 | |
| Mandala Mandala (film) Mandala is a 1981 South Korean film about Buddhist monks in Korea. This is considered by many critics to be director Im Kwon-taek's breakthrough film as a cinematic artist.- Plot :The film follows the differing lives of two Buddhist monks in Korea... 만다라 Mandala |
1981 | |
| Abenko Green Berets 아벤고 공수 군단 Abenko gongsu gundan |
1982 | |
| High School Tears / Tears of the Idol 우상의 눈물 Woosangui nunmul |
1982 | |
| The Polluted One 오염된 자식들 Oyeomdoen jashikdeul |
1982 | |
| Village in the Mist 안개 마을 Angae maeul |
1982 | |
| In the Bosom of a Butterfly 나비 품에서 울었다 Nabipumeseo uleotda |
1982 | |
| Daughter of the Flames 불의 딸 Bului dal |
1982 | |
| The Eternal Flow / You Can't Stop a River 흐르는 강물을 어찌 막으랴 Heureuneun gangmuleul eojji makeorya |
1984 | |
| Gilsoddeum Gilsoddeum Gilsoddeum is a 1986 South Korean drama film directed by Im Kwon-taek. It was entered into the 36th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Kim Ji-mee as Hwa-yong* Shin Sung-il as Dong-jin* Han Ji-il* Kim Ji-yeong* Lee Sang-a... 길소뜸 Gilsoddeum |
1985 | |
| Ticket 티켓 Ticket |
1986 | |
| The Surrogate Woman The Surrogate Woman The Surrogate Woman aka Surrogate Womb aka The Surrogate Mother is a 1987 film directed by Im Kwon-taek, dealing with a love affair during the Joseon Dynasty.... 씨받이 Sibaji |
1986 | |
| Adada Adada -Synopsis:The film tells the story of a deaf-mute woman living in a small village in Korea during the 1920s.... 아다다 Adada |
1987 | |
| Diary of King Yeonsan Diary of King Yeonsan (film) Diary of King Yeonsan is a 1987 South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek. It was chosen as Best Film at the Grand Bell Awards.- Synopsis :... 연산일기 Yeonsan ilgi |
1987 | |
| Come Come Come Upward Come Come Come Upward Come Come Come Upward is an award-winning South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek.-Synopsis:The film examines the differing lives of two young women who are linked by their affiliation with a Buddhist temple.... 아제 아제 바라 아제 Aje aje bara aje |
1989 | |
1990s
| Title | Cast | Released |
|---|---|---|
| General's Son General's Son General's Son is a popular and award-winning South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek. It was the most highly-attended film in South Korea in both 1990 and 1991... 장군의 아들 將軍의 아들 Janggunui adeul |
1990 | |
| The General's Son II 장군의 아들 2 將軍의 아들 2 Janggunui adeul II |
1991 | |
| Fly High Run Far Fly High Run Far Fly High Run Far is a 1991 South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek. It was chosen as Best Film at the Grand Bell Awards.-Synopsis:A film about Choe Si-hyeong, a leader of the Donghak Peasant Revolution of late 19th-century Korea.... 개벽 開闢 Gaebyeok |
1991 | |
| The General's Son III 장군의 아들 3 將軍의 아들 3 Janggunui adeul III |
1992 | |
| Seopyeonje 서편제 西便制 Seopyeonje |
1993 | |
| The Taebaek Mountains The Taebaek Mountains The Taebaek Mountains is an award-winning South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek.-Synopsis:The film tells the story of a small town in the southern part of Korea in 1949 and 1950, just before the outbreak of the Korean War.-Reception:Korean film scholar, Kim Kyung-hyun describes the reception... 태백산맥 太白山脈 Taebaek sanmaek |
1994 | |
| Festival Festival (1996 film) Festival is an award-winning South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek.-Synopsis:A famous writer, Lee Jun-seop, returns to his hometown to attend his mother's funeral. Lee's illegitimate niece, who has been ostracized from the family, has also returned home for the funeral... 축제 祝祭 Chukje |
1996 | |
| Downfall Downfall (1997 film) Downfall is 1997 South Korean film by Im Kwon-taek. The story revolves around an orphan girl who became a prostitute to survive and finds love with one of her clients.-Cast:*Shin Eun-kyung *Han Jung-hyun *Choi Dong-joon*Chung Kyung-soon... aka Chang 창 娼 Chang |
1997 | |
2000s
| Title | Cast | Released |
|---|---|---|
| Chunhyang Chunhyang (2000 film) Chunhyang is a 2000 Korean film, directed by Im Kwon-taek and starring Lee Hyo-jeong and Jo Seung-woo. It was entered into the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:... 춘향뎐 春香傳 Chunhyang |
2000 | |
| Painted Fire 취화선 醉畵仙 Chihwaseon |
2002 | |
| Low Life Low Life (film) Low Life aka Raging Years is an internationally presented and award-nominated South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek.-Synopsis:... 하류인생 下流人生 Haryu insaeng |
2004 | |
| Beyond the Years Beyond the Years Beyond the Years is a 2007 South Korean film. Celebrated director Im Kwon-taek's 100th film, it is based on the novel The Wanderer of Seonhakdong, and was presented at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival... 천년학 千年鶴 Cheonnyeonhak |
2007 | |