On Competition in Cannes File Festival

`Chihwaseon` has advanced into Cannes’ `finals` for the second time as a Korean production, since `Chunhyanjun` (2000), which entered competition in Cannes for the first time in the history of Korean movies. After the first Korean 1 million-audience box office, `Seopyeonje` and the first movie to advance to Cannes’ finals, `Chunhyanjun`, another fruit of `friendship and trust` of Yim Kwon-Taek (director), Jung Il-Sung (photography), and Lee Tae-Won (producer) came out. The three veterans have continued their faithful relationship for 19 years since 1983’s `Biguni`.

Director Yim seemed quite calm at the press interview on the 22nd. He said he heard the news from producer Lee on the 21st.

“I was worried psychologically that if `Chihwaseon` did not enter the finals, It’d be shameful because so many people helped and supported us.” (Director Yim Kwon-Taek)

“When Yim heard the news, the first think he did was sigh. After then, we hung up fighting `you did well` `no, you did more`.” (Producer Lee Tae-Won)

“I’ve realized what it meant to have lived so long together, as we sincerely congratulated and thanked each other.” (Director Jung Il-Sung)

Sue-Jean Kang sjkang@donga.com