Actor Kim Dong-ho Feels ′Shy but Honored′ about Cannes′ Invitation

Actor Kim Dong-ho Feels 'Shy but Honored' about Cannes' Invitation: K-DRAMA&FILM / 연합뉴스 / 2024-05-06 09:24:48

▲ This undated file photo shows South Korean actor Kim Dong-ho, former executive director of the Busan International Film Festival, who has received an invitation to the 77th Cannes International Film Festival for the documentary film "Walking in the Movies." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 6 (Yonhap) -- "It's an honor to attend the Cannes Film Festival as the protagonist of a film. However, on the other hand, it's a bit embarrassing as it's about me."

Kim Dong-ho, former executive director of the Busan International Film Festival, has received an invitation to the 77th Cannes International Film Festival for the documentary film "Walking in the Movies."

In a phone interview with Yonhap News on the 5th, he said, "When I stood on the stage of the Berlin International Film Festival as the director of the short film 'Juri,' I was quite nervous, and it feels similar to that time."

▲ This still photo of "Walking in the Movies," provided by Kookje Daily News on May 6, 2024, shows South Korean actor Kim Dong-ho. This documentary film is invited to the 77th Cannes International Film Festival. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Kim has a deep connection with Cannes, having attended the festival a total of 24 times from 1996 to last year, except during the pandemic period. In 2010, he also served as a jury member in the Un Certain Regard section.

Directed by Kim Lyang, "Walking in the Movies" reexamines Kim's life through the present, focusing on his role in founding the Busan International Film Festival. While Kim has been known as a "diplomat of Korean cinema" during his previous appearances at Cannes, this time he will walk the red carpet as the protagonist of a film.

The Cannes Classics section showcases documentaries about classic masterpieces or important figures in film history. While Korean films such as "King Boxer" (directed by Jung Chang-hwa), "The Memorial Gate for Virtuous Women" and "Prince Yeonsan" (directed by Shin Sang-ok), and "The Housemaid" (directed by Kim Ki-young) have been introduced through this section, it is the first time that a documentary about a Korean film industry figure will be screened.

Kim explained, borrowing the words of Thierry Fremaux, the Cannes Film Festival's executive director, "It's a film that allows you to see someone who has been a bureaucrat for a long time falling in love with movies and dedicating himself to them."

A graduate of Seoul National University Law School, Kim began his public service career after graduation, serving as the inaugural CEO of the Arts Council Korea, Vice Minister of Culture, chairman of the Performance Ethics Committee, and CEO of the Korean Film Council. From 1996 until 2010, he led the founding and served as the executive director of the Busan International Film Festival, the first international film festival in Korea.

Fremaux, who has built a friendship with Kim through the film festival, appeared in "Walking in the Movies" and conducted an interview. The film also features discussions with Korean directors such as Koreeda Hirokazu, Lee Chang-dong, Lim Kwon-taek, Shin Su-won, and actors like Park Jung-ja and Cho Jin-woong, sharing stories about Kim.

The documentary began when international newspaper officials visited Kim's home in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, in January last year and expressed their desire to make a documentary about him.

Recalling the start of the project, Kim said, "I asked why a newspaper company would want to make a documentary about me when it wouldn't make any money," but added, "They said they wanted to give it a try, so I said, 'Then go ahead.'"

Director Kim Lyang captured not only personal moments of Kim hosting film screenings at his home library but also various places in Kim's life, including his home, the Seoul Arts Center, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Busan Port, and the Integrated Film Studio.

Kim said that while watching "Walking in the Movies," he reflected on the path he had walked. However, he also joked, saying, "When you see artists, don't they always feel dissatisfied with their work? I'm not entirely satisfied either, but I'm quite satisfied."

Personally, Kim sees his attendance at this year's Cannes Film Festival as having special significance. However, as only two Korean films, "Veteran 2" by Ryoo Seung-wan and "Walking in the Movies," were invited, unlike previous years when several Korean films were invited to competition sections and other significant sections, he expressed disappointment.

"Usually, Korean films are invited to competition sections, as well as the Un Certain Regard section, the Director's Fortnight, and the Critics' Week, with as many as 10 films going to Cannes. However, I feel a great sense of regret this year," he said.

"Also, it's regrettable that successors to directors like Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook, Lee Chang-dong, and Hong Sang-soo, who were recognized at international film festivals, haven't emerged yet. The situation in the film industry is not good, as production is decreasing and the number of audiences is decreasing. It can be seen as a new crisis for Korean cinema. I hope the government will take an interest in low-budget independent and artistic films and provide more support. Even in times of crisis, I believe that good films will attract audiences."