Lee Chang-dong
Encyclopedia
Lee Chang-dong is a South Korea
n film director
, screenwriter
and novelist. He won the 2008 Special Director's Prize at the Asian Film Awards
and has been nominated for the Golden Lion
and Palme d'Or
. Lee served as South Korea's Minister of Culture and Tourism from 2003 to 2004.
, the hub of Korea's main conservative party. He graduated in 1981 with a degree in Korean Literature from Kyungpook National University
in Daegu
, where he spent much of his time in the theater, writing and directing plays. After a spell teaching Korean Language in high school, he established himself as a renowned novelist with his first novel Chonri in 1983. Later in his career, to the surprise of many, he turned to movie making.
Lee did not study filmmaking before starting out. He penned two screenplays, Park Kwang-su
's To the Starry Island
in 1993 and A Single Spark
in 1995. After being encouraged by his contemporaries to finally step behind the directors chair, Lee made Green Fish
, a "critique of Korean society told through the eyes of a young man who becomes enmeshed in the criminal underworld", in 1997.
In 2000, Lee made Peppermint Candy
, a story following a single man in reverse chonology through 20 years of South Korean history (from 1980's student uprising, to the film's 2000 release). All of his films have received critical acclaim and awards, with Oasis, a story involving a mentally ill man and a woman with cerebral palsy, winning the prestigious Director's Award at the 2003 Venice Film Festival
.
He served as the minister of Culture and Tourism in the South Korean Government from 2003 to 2004.
In October 2006, Lee was awarded with the Chevalier (Knight) order of the Legion d'Honneur
(Legion of Honor) by the French
government for "his contribution to maintaining the screen quota
to promote cultural diversity as a cultural minister." It was delivered to the French embassy in South Korea by the French Minister of Culture, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres
during an official visit.
In 2007, Lee's fourth film, Secret Sunshine
, was completed. At the 60th Cannes Film Festival
, the film was entered in the competition category and its leading actress, Jeon Do-yeon, won the Prix d'interprétation féminine du Festival de Cannes. It was released to theaters in South Korea in 2007, and was South Korea's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2008.
In 2009, Lee was appointed as a jury member of the international competition in 61st Cannes Film Festival
along with Isabelle Huppert
, Shu Qi
and Robin Wright Penn.
In 2010, Lee's latest film, Poetry
, was released, garnering positive critical reviews, and winning the Best Screenplay Award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. Notably, the film's starring role was played by Yoon Jeong-hee
, who was returning to the screen after an absence of 16 years.
Secret Sunshine
Oasis
Peppermint Candy
Green Fish
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...
n film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and novelist. He won the 2008 Special Director's Prize at the Asian Film Awards
Asian Film Awards
The Asian Film Awards are presented annually by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society to recognize excellence of film professionals in the film industries of Asian cinema.-History:...
and has been nominated for the Golden Lion
Golden Lion
Il Leone d’Oro is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes...
and Palme d'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
. Lee served as South Korea's Minister of Culture and Tourism from 2003 to 2004.
Life and career
Lee was born in DaeguDaegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
, the hub of Korea's main conservative party. He graduated in 1981 with a degree in Korean Literature from Kyungpook National University
Kyungpook National University
Kyungpook National University , abbreviated as Kyungdae, is a leading national university in Daegu, South Korea. The university is one of 10 Flagship Korean National Universities. It is one of the three best recognized and oldest national universities with Seoul National University and Pusan...
in Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
, where he spent much of his time in the theater, writing and directing plays. After a spell teaching Korean Language in high school, he established himself as a renowned novelist with his first novel Chonri in 1983. Later in his career, to the surprise of many, he turned to movie making.
Lee did not study filmmaking before starting out. He penned two screenplays, Park Kwang-su
Park Kwang-su
Park Kwang-su is a Korean filmmaker. He was born in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, South Korea on January 22, 1955 and grew up in Busan, South Korea. Park joined the Yallasung Film Group as a student of Fine Arts at Seoul National University...
's To the Starry Island
To the Starry Island
To the Starry Island is an award-winning 1993 South Korean film directed by Park Kwang-su.-Synopsis:...
in 1993 and A Single Spark
A Single Spark
A Single Spark is an award-winning 1995 South Korean film.-Synopsis:...
in 1995. After being encouraged by his contemporaries to finally step behind the directors chair, Lee made Green Fish
Green Fish
Green Fish is a South Korean film. It was the first feature-length film directed by Lee Chang-dong, who also wrote the screenplay. Lee had previously been known as a novelist and high school teacher. The film stars Han Suk-kyu in one of his first major film roles...
, a "critique of Korean society told through the eyes of a young man who becomes enmeshed in the criminal underworld", in 1997.
In 2000, Lee made Peppermint Candy
Peppermint Candy
Peppermint Candy is a 1999 film, the second film from South Korean director Lee Chang-dong. The movie starts with the suicide of the protagonist and uses reverse chronology to depict some of the key events of the past 20 years of his life that led to his death.The film was received well, especially...
, a story following a single man in reverse chonology through 20 years of South Korean history (from 1980's student uprising, to the film's 2000 release). All of his films have received critical acclaim and awards, with Oasis, a story involving a mentally ill man and a woman with cerebral palsy, winning the prestigious Director's Award at the 2003 Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
.
He served as the minister of Culture and Tourism in the South Korean Government from 2003 to 2004.
In October 2006, Lee was awarded with the Chevalier (Knight) order of the Legion d'Honneur
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...
(Legion of Honor) by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
government for "his contribution to maintaining the screen quota
Screen quotas
Screen quotas are a legislated policy that enforces a minimum number of screening days of domestic films in the theater each year to protect the nation’s films. The screen quota system is enforced to prevent foreign markets from making inroads into the domestic film market. The screen quota system...
to promote cultural diversity as a cultural minister." It was delivered to the French embassy in South Korea by the French Minister of Culture, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres
Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres
Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres , often known as RDDV, is a French politician, France's Minister of Culture from 2004 to 2007...
during an official visit.
In 2007, Lee's fourth film, Secret Sunshine
Secret Sunshine
Secret Sunshine is a 2007 South Korean film directed by acclaimed South Korean director, novelist, and former Minister of Culture Lee Chang-dong. The story focuses on a woman as she wrestles with the questions of grief, madness, and faith. The Korean title, 밀양 is given after the city that served...
, was completed. At the 60th Cannes Film Festival
2007 Cannes Film Festival
The 2007 Cannes Film Festival, the sixtieth, ran from 16 to 27 May 2007. Wong Kar-wai's My Blueberry Nights opened the festival, and Denys Arcand's The Age of Ignorance closed...
, the film was entered in the competition category and its leading actress, Jeon Do-yeon, won the Prix d'interprétation féminine du Festival de Cannes. It was released to theaters in South Korea in 2007, and was South Korea's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2008.
In 2009, Lee was appointed as a jury member of the international competition in 61st Cannes Film Festival
2009 Cannes Film Festival
The 62nd annual Cannes Film Festival was held from May 13 to May 24, 2009. French actress Isabelle Huppert was the President of the Jury. It was announced on March 19, 2009, that Pixar's film Up would open the festival...
along with Isabelle Huppert
Isabelle Huppert
Isabelle Anne Madeleine Huppert is a French actress who has appeared in over 90 film and television productions since 1971. She has had 14 films in official competition at the Cannes Film Festival, and won the Best Actress Award twice, for Violette Nozière and La pianiste . She is also the most...
, Shu Qi
Shu Qi
Shu Qi is the stage name of a Taiwanese actress born Lin Li-Hui . Her stage name is occasionally romanized as Hsu Chi or Shu Kei . Her name is sometimes seen in the Western order as Qi Shu.-Early life:...
and Robin Wright Penn.
In 2010, Lee's latest film, Poetry
Poetry (film)
Poetry is a 2010 South Korean drama film written and directed by Lee Chang-dong. It tells the story of a suburban woman in her 60s who begins to grow an interest for poetry while struggling with Alzheimer's disease and her irresponsible grandson. Yoon Jeong-hee stars in the leading role, which was...
, was released, garnering positive critical reviews, and winning the Best Screenplay Award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. Notably, the film's starring role was played by Yoon Jeong-hee
Yoon Jeong-hee
Yoon Jeong-hee is a South Korean actress active since 1967. Yoon debuted as an actress in 1967 as starring in Cheongchun geukjang directed by Gang Dae-jin after elected in a recruit held by Hapdong Film. Yoon was commonly referred to as one of the "Troika" along with her rival actresses, Moon Hee...
, who was returning to the screen after an absence of 16 years.
Filmography
- To the Starry IslandTo the Starry IslandTo the Starry Island is an award-winning 1993 South Korean film directed by Park Kwang-su.-Synopsis:...
(1993) *screenplay - A Single SparkA Single SparkA Single Spark is an award-winning 1995 South Korean film.-Synopsis:...
(1995) *screenplay - Green FishGreen FishGreen Fish is a South Korean film. It was the first feature-length film directed by Lee Chang-dong, who also wrote the screenplay. Lee had previously been known as a novelist and high school teacher. The film stars Han Suk-kyu in one of his first major film roles...
(1997) - Peppermint CandyPeppermint CandyPeppermint Candy is a 1999 film, the second film from South Korean director Lee Chang-dong. The movie starts with the suicide of the protagonist and uses reverse chronology to depict some of the key events of the past 20 years of his life that led to his death.The film was received well, especially...
(2000) - OasisOasis (film)Oasis is South Korea Lee Chang-dong's third feature film, and the last one he directed before his stint as South Korea's Minister of Culture...
(2002) - Secret SunshineSecret SunshineSecret Sunshine is a 2007 South Korean film directed by acclaimed South Korean director, novelist, and former Minister of Culture Lee Chang-dong. The story focuses on a woman as she wrestles with the questions of grief, madness, and faith. The Korean title, 밀양 is given after the city that served...
(2007) - PoetryPoetry (film)Poetry is a 2010 South Korean drama film written and directed by Lee Chang-dong. It tells the story of a suburban woman in her 60s who begins to grow an interest for poetry while struggling with Alzheimer's disease and her irresponsible grandson. Yoon Jeong-hee stars in the leading role, which was...
(2010)
Secret SunshineSecret SunshineSecret Sunshine is a 2007 South Korean film directed by acclaimed South Korean director, novelist, and former Minister of Culture Lee Chang-dong. The story focuses on a woman as she wrestles with the questions of grief, madness, and faith. The Korean title, 밀양 is given after the city that served...
- 2008 - Best Film, Asian Film AwardsAsian Film AwardsThe Asian Film Awards are presented annually by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society to recognize excellence of film professionals in the film industries of Asian cinema.-History:...
- 2008 - Best Director, Asian Film Awards
- 2007 - Best Actress (won by Jeon Do-yeonJeon Do-yeonJeon Do-yeon is a highly-acclaimed South Korean actress who has won many awards including best actress at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival...
), Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film FestivalThe 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... - 2007 - Best Feature Film, Asia Pacific Screen AwardsAsia Pacific Screen AwardsThe Asia Pacific Screen Awards is an international cultural initiative of the State Government of Queensland, Australia, through Events Queensland, to honour and promote the films, actors, directors, and cultures of Asia-Pacific to a global audience and to realise the objectives of UNESCO to...
- 2007 - Best Performance by an Actress, Asia Pacific Screen AwardsAsia Pacific Screen AwardsThe Asia Pacific Screen Awards is an international cultural initiative of the State Government of Queensland, Australia, through Events Queensland, to honour and promote the films, actors, directors, and cultures of Asia-Pacific to a global audience and to realise the objectives of UNESCO to...
- 2007 - Best Picture, Korean Film AwardsKorean Film AwardsThe Korean Film Award is a South Korean film awards ceremony hosted by the MBC.-Awards:The categories are*Best Film*Best Director*Best New Director*Best Leading Actor*Best Leading Actress*Best Supporting Actor*Best Supporting Actress...
- 2007 - Best Director, Korean Film Awards
- 2007 - Special Award, Grand Bell Awards
OasisOasis (film)Oasis is South Korea Lee Chang-dong's third feature film, and the last one he directed before his stint as South Korea's Minister of Culture...
- 2003 - Best Director, Paeksang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts Awards, also known as BaekSang Arts Awards, is an awards ceremony held annually by IS PLUS Corp, since 1965. It is to honour outstanding achievements in the South Korean entertainment industry and to garner public attention upon the best in Korean films and dramas...
- 2003 - Three Castles Award, Castellinaria International Festival of Young Cinema
- 2003 - Audience Award, Gardanne Film Festival
- 2003 - Chief Dan George Humanitarian Award, Vancouver International Film FestivalVancouver International Film FestivalThe Vancouver International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for two weeks in late September and early October...
- 2003 - FIPRESCI Prize, Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
- 2003 - SIGNIS Award, Venice Film Festival
- 2003 - Special Director's Award, Venice Film Festival
- 2003 - Golden Lion (Nominated), Venice Film Festival
- 2005 - Best Foreign Film (Nominated), Independent Spirit AwardsIndependent Spirit AwardsThe Independent Spirit Awards , founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the paltry budgets of independent films. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit...
Peppermint CandyPeppermint CandyPeppermint Candy is a 1999 film, the second film from South Korean director Lee Chang-dong. The movie starts with the suicide of the protagonist and uses reverse chronology to depict some of the key events of the past 20 years of his life that led to his death.The film was received well, especially...
- 2000 - Special Jury Prize, Bratislava International Film Festival
- 2000 - Best Film, Grand Bell AwardsGrand Bell AwardsThe Grand Bell Awards is an awards ceremony presented annually by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea for excellence in film in South Korea....
, South Korea - 2000 - Don Quijote Award, Karlovy Vary International Film FestivalKarlovy Vary International Film FestivalThe Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary , Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival gained worldwide recognition over the past years and has become one of Europe's major film events....
- 2000 - Netpac Award - Special Mention, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
- 2000 - Special Prize of the Jury, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Green FishGreen FishGreen Fish is a South Korean film. It was the first feature-length film directed by Lee Chang-dong, who also wrote the screenplay. Lee had previously been known as a novelist and high school teacher. The film stars Han Suk-kyu in one of his first major film roles...
- 1997 - Best Film, Blue Dragon Awards
- 1997 - Dragons and Tigers AwardDragons and Tigers AwardVIFF Dragons and Tigers Award for Young Cinema is an award from the Vancouver International Film Festival for a film director from Asia-Pacific region. It awards a creative and innovative film, made early in the director's career, which has not yet won significant international recognition...
, Vancouver International Film FestivalVancouver International Film FestivalThe Vancouver International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for two weeks in late September and early October... - 1998 - Netpac Award - Special Mention, Rotterdam International Film Festival