Film lead: Kim Ki-duk is unrepentant
The unparalleled success of hislatest twisted tale has emboldened Korean director Kim Ki-duk tokeep challenging audiences, writes Andrew Salmon
Kim Ki-duk, winner of the Golden Lion for his savage morality tale at this year's Venice Film Festival, is in a triumphant mood - and who can blame him?
The eccentric South Korean screenwriter and director - who lives and works in a converted van on a hillside - is internationally known for the shocking themes and scenes of his films. But while the 51-year-old auteur is a favourite on the international festival circuit, he has long been a prophet without honour in his home country, unable to secure funding or distribution for his controversial works.
The situation has changed in recent months. In addition to having landed Kim a more prestigious award than anything other South Korean filmmakers have laid hands on - former culture minister Lee Chang-dong comes closest by winning the Fipresci Prize, Signis Award and special director's nod for (2002) in Venice - has been named South Korea's official Academy Award entry for the best foreign language film Oscar next year.
And with his latest film luring the kind of audience numbers usually enjoyed only by the thrillers, actioners and romantic comedies that are staples of the South Korean film industry, Kim has said he will continue on his unconventional path - while taking a swipe at the mainstream industry.
"Although critics say it is less brutal than many of Kim's other films [ ] still features mutilation, sexual violence and cannibalism as the loan shark feeds the woman his own flesh and rapes her," Reuters reports, and critic Eric Kohn says the film is "a curiously engaging and wickedly twisted tale of crime and punishment", and headlined the review, "… not your average crime movie".
That is an understatement.
