South Korean film director (born 1934)
Im Kwon-taek (Korean : 임권택 ; born December 8, 1934) 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. As of spring 2015, he has directed 102 films.
Early life
Im Kwon-taek was born in Jangseong , Zenranan Prefecture , Korea, Empire of Japan , 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 Jeong Chang-hwa , director of Five Fingers of Death (1972), offered him room and board for work as a production assistant. Jeong recommended him for directing in 1961 .
Career
Im's directorial premiere was with the 1962 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 government [1] . 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 .[ 1] 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 .[ 2] [ 1]
In 2013, a museum dedicated to Im opened in Busan, on the Dongseo University Centum City Campus .[ 3]
A documentary on Im, Cloud, Encore (2018) by well-known film critic-turned-director Jung Sung-il , made its world premiere at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival in 2018.[ 4] [ 5]
Personal life
He married the actress (Chae Ryeong [ko ] ), who appeared in several of his films.[ 6] Their two sons Im Dong-joon and Im Dong-jae (a.k.a. Kwon Hyun-sang ) are also active in the film industry.[ 7]
Filmography
Filmography of Im Kwon-taek[ 8]
Year
Hangul Title
Hanja Title
Romanized Title
English Title
Alternate English Title
Films in the 1960s
1962
두만강아 잘 있거라
Dumanganga jal itgeola
Farewell to the Duman River
전쟁과 노인
Jeonjaenggwa noin
Old Man in the Combat Zone
The War and an Old Man
1963
남자는 안팔려
Namjaneun anpallyeo
Actors Disguised as Women
망부석
Mangbuseog
A Wife Turned to Stone
신문고
Shinmungo
The Throne Memorial Drum
욕망의 결산
Yogmangui gyeolsan
The End of Desire
1964
십자매 선생
Shibjamae seonsaeng
Father of Ten Daughters
단장록
Danjang lok
The Prince's Revolt
단골 지각생
Dangol jikaksaeng
The Latecomer
십년세도
Shibnyeon sedo
The Ten-Year Rule
영화 마마
Yeonghwa mama
Queen Yongwha's Avenger
1965
빗 속에 지다
Bitsoke jida
Death of an Informer
왕과 상노
Wanggwa sangno
A Bogus Nobleman
1966
전쟁과 여교사
Jeonjaenggwa yeogyosa
Schoolmistress on the Battlefield
법창을 울린 옥이
Beobchangeul ullin oki
Miss Ok and the Divided Court
나는 왕이다
Naneum wang-ida
I Am a King
닐니리
Nilniri
A Triangle in Noble Families
청사초롱
Cheongsa choryong
The Feudal Tenant
1967
풍운의 검객
Pungunui geomgaek
Swordsmen
망향천리
Manghyang cheonri
A Wife Retrieved
1968
요화 장희빈
妖花 張禧嬪
Yohwa Jang Huibin
Femme Fatale, Jang Hee-bin
바람 같은 사나이
Baramgateun sanai
A Man Called the Wind
몽녀
夢女
Mongnyeo
The Waking Woman
돌아온 왼손잡이
Dolaon winsonjabi
Return from the Sea
Return of the Left-Handed Man
Sanai samdae
Three Generations of Men
1969
비나리는 고모령
Binaerineun gomoryeong
Best Friends and Their Wives
Rain on Gomo Bridge
상해 탈출
Shanghai talchul
Escape from Shanghai
십오야
Shiboya
Night of the Full Moon
뇌검
Roegeom
Thunder Sword
황야의 독수리
Hwangyaui doksori
Eagle of the Plains
신세 좀 지자구요
Shinse jom jijaguyo
Would You Help Me?
Films in the 1970s
1970
월하의 검
Wolhaui geom
Swords Under the Moon
애꾸눈 박
Aeggunun Park
One-Eyed Mr. Park
이슬 맞은 백일홍
Iseulmajeun baekilhong
Unmarried Mother
비나리는 선창가
Binaerineun seonchangga
A Vagabond's Story
그여자를 쫓아라
Geu yeojareul jjochara
A Woman Pursued
밤차로 온 사나이
Bamcharo on sanai
Man on the Night Train
비검
Bigeom
The Flying Sword
속눈썹이 긴 여자
Soknunseobi kin yeoja
A Snapshot and a Murder
1971
원한의 거리에 눈이 내린다
Wonhanui geori nuni naerinda
Snowing on Grudge Street
30년만의 대결
30 nyeonmanui daegyeol
The 30-Year Showdown
원한의 두 꼽추
Weonhan ui tu kkobchu
Revenge of Two Sons
나를 더 이상 괴롭히지 마라
Nareul deoisang goerobhiji mara
In Search of the Secret Agent
Don't Torture Me Anymore
요검
Yogeom
Swordswoman
둘째 어머니
Duljjae eomeoni
A Stepmother's Heartache
1972
명동 삼국지
Myeongdong samgukji
Gangsters of Myeongdong
Whirl of Betrayals on Myeongdong
명동 잔혹사
Myeongdong janhoksa
Cruelty on the Streets of Myeongdong
돌아온 자와 떠나야 할 자
Dolaon jawa ddeonaya hal ja
Arrivals and Departures
One Returns and the Other Leaves
삼국대협
三國大俠
Samguk daehyeob
Seize the Precious Sword
1973
Janganmyeonggi obaekwa
Five Hostesses for the Resistance
대추격
Daechugyeok
Pursuit of the Bandits
The Big Chase
잡초
Jabcho
The Deserted Widow
Weeds
증언
證言
Jeungeon
The Testimony
1974
아내들의 행진
아내들의 行進
Anaedeului haengjin
Wives on Parade
울지 않으리
Ulji aneuri
I'll Never Cry Again
연화
Yeonhwa
The Hidden Princess
연화 2
Yeonhwa 2
The Hidden Princess, Part 2
왜 그랬던가
Wae guraetdeonga
Who and Why?
1975
어제 오늘 그리고 내일
Eoje, oneul, geurigo naeil
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
1976
왕십리
Wangshibri
A Byegone Romance
Wang Sib Ri, My Hometown
맨발의 눈길
Maenbalui nunkil
Overcome by Misfortunes
Barefoot In The Snow
낙동강은 흐르는가
洛東江은 흐르는가
Nakdongkaneun heureuneunga
Commando on the Nakdong River
아내
Anae
Wife
The Industrious Wife
1977
옥례기
Okryegi
The Virtuous Woman
The Life of Okrye
임진왜란과 계월향
壬辰倭亂과 桂月香
Imjinrangwa gyewolhyang
Madame Kye in the Imjin War
1978
상록수
常綠樹
Sangroksu
The Evergreen Tree
가깝고도 먼 길
Gaggabgodo meon kil
Near Yet Far Away
1979
내일 또 내일
Naeil ddo naeil
Again Tomorrow
족보
族譜
Jokbo
The Genealogy
The Family Pedigree
저 파도 위에 엄마 얼굴이
Jeo padowie eoma eolguli
The Little Adventurer
깃발없는 기수
깃발없는 旗手
Gitbaleobtneun gisu
The Hidden Hero
No Glory
신궁
神弓
Shingung
The Divine Bow
Films in the 1980s
1980
복부인
Bokbuin
The Wealthy Woman
Mrs. Speculator
짝코
Jagko
Pursuit of Death
1981
만다라
Mandala
Mandala
1982
아벤고 공수 군단
Abenko gongsu gundan
Abenko Green Berets
우상의 눈물
Woosangui nunmul
High School Tears
Tears of the Idol
오염된 자식들
Oyeomdoen jashikdeul
The Polluted One
안개 마을
Angae maeul
Village in the Mist
나비 품에서 울었다
Nabipumeseo uleotda
In the Bosom of a Butterfly
1983
불의 딸
Bului dal
Daughter of the Flames
1984
흐르는 강물을 어찌 막으랴
Heureuneun gangmuleul eojji makeorya
The Eternal Flow
You Can't Stop a River
1985
길소뜸
Gilsoddeum
Gilsoddeum
1986
티켓
Ticket
Ticket
씨받이
Sibaji
The Surrogate Woman
1987
아다다
Adada
Adada
연산일기
Yeonsan ilgi
Diary of King Yeonsan
1989
아제 아제 바라 아제
Aje aje bara aje
Come Come Come Upward
손에 손 잡고
Hand in Hand
Films in the 1990s
1990
장군의 아들
將軍의 아들
Janggunui adeul
General's Son
1991
장군의 아들 2
將軍의 아들 2
Janggunui adeul II
The General's Son II
개벽
開闢
Gaebyeok
Fly High Run Far
1992
장군의 아들 3
將軍의 아들 3
Janggunui adeul III
The General's Son III
1993
서편제
西便制
Seopyeonje
Seopyeonje
1994
태백산맥
太白山脈
Taebaek sanmaek
The Taebaek Mountains
1996
축제
祝祭
Chukje
Festival
1997
창
娼
Chang
Downfall
Chang
Films since 2000
2000
춘향뎐
春香傳
Chunhyang
Chunhyang
2002
취화선
醉畵仙
Chihwaseon
Painted Fire
2004
하류인생
下流人生
Haryu insaeng
Low Life
2007
천년학
千年鶴
Cheonnyeonhak
Beyond the Years
2011
달빛 길어올리기
Dalbit Gireoolligi
Hanji
2014
화장
Hwajang
Revivre
Accolades
Asian Film Awards :
Lifetime Achievement Award
Asia Pacific Film Festival
Special Jury Award Chunhyang (2000)
Best Director and Best Film Sibaji (1987)
Berlin International Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
Grand Bell Awards (Korea), Best Director
Testimony (Jungon ) (1974)
Jokbo (Genealogy/Family Tree) (1979)
Mandala (1981)
Ticket (1986)
Yeonsan ilgi (Diary of King Yonsan ) (1988)
Hankuk Play and Film Arts Awards (Korea), Best Director
Wangshibri (A Byegone Romance ) (1976)
Nakdongkaneun heureuneunga (Commando on the Nakdong River ) (1976)
Angae maeul (Village in the Mist ) (1983)
State honors
See also
Notes
^ a b Yang, Sung-jin. "Great filmmaker Im to get French Legion of Honor" . Naver . Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2007 .
^ Lee, Hyo-won (28 November 2007). "France to Award Director Im Kwon-taek" . The Korea Times . Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022 .
^ "HanCinema" .
^ "Cloud, Encore" . BIFF . October 2018. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018 .
^ Conran, Pierce (22 February 2017). "Documentary on IM Kwon-taek Seeks Crowdfunding Support" . Korean Film Biz Zone . Retrieved 30 March 2017 .
^ Kim, Jessica (16 July 2010). "Director Lim Kwon-taek and wife walk PiFan red carpet" . 10Asia . Retrieved 6 July 2013 .
^ "Im Kwon-taek's Son Follows Dad into Showbiz" . The Chosun Ilbo . 11 August 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2013 .
^ Filmography from 임권택 (Kwon-Taek Lim / 林權澤) . mydvdlist.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 19 November 2007 .[permanent dead link ] ; Im Kwon-taek at IMDb and James, David E.; Kim Kyung-hyun, eds. (2002). Im Kwon-Taek: The Making of a Korean National Cinema . Detroit: Wayne State University Press . ISBN 0-8143-2869-5 .
^ "Berlinale: 1986 Programme" . berlinale.de . Retrieved 2011-01-16 .
^ "Berlinale: 1995 Programme" . berlinale.de . Retrieved 2011-12-31 .
^ "Festival de Cannes: Chi-hwa-seon" . festival-cannes.com . Retrieved 2009-10-24 .
^ "Im Kwon Taek likes Shahrukh Khan's work" . Hindustan Times . 20 November 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-09 .
^ "16th Moscow International Film Festival (1989)" . MIFF . Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-24 .
^ Kim Ye-rang (October 6, 2021). "[BIFF] 임권택 "평생 사랑한 영화, 지금까지 만들어 행복" [[BIFF] Im Kwon-taek "The movie I've loved all my life, I'm happy I made it so far]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved October 6, 2021 – via Naver .
^ Lee, Jae-hoon (October 24, 2023). 이정재·이순재·조인성, '제13회 아름다운예술인상' 수상 [Lee Jung-jae, Lee Soon-jae, Jo In-sung, 'The 13th Beautiful Artist Award]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Naver .
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