South Korean Park Chan-wook and Song Kang-ho were named Best Director and Best Actor, respectively, at this year's Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. It is the first time in the countries cinema history that Korean films have taken home two titles at a time at the world's most prestigious film festival.
At the awarding ceremony for the 75th edition of the festival held at Palais Lumiere in Cannes, Park received the prize given to best film director for his romance "Decision to Leave."
It is his third prize given by Cannes, following the Grand Prix, the second-highest prize at the festival, for his thriller "Oldboy" in 2003 and the Jury Prize, the No. 3 honor, for the horror "Thirst" in 2009.
And Park became the second South Korean director to win in the category, following renowned filmmaker Im Kwon-taek for the historical drama "Chihwaseon" in 2002.
In his acceptance speech, Park praised the global film industry for overcoming the yearlong COVID-19 pandemic.
Park did not forget to thank his main actors -- Park Hae-il and Tang Wei -- saying "Most of all, my love to Park and Tang is beyond expression."
Starring Chinese actress Tang of "Lust, Caution" (2007) and Korean actor Park of "Memories of Murder" (2003), "Decision to Leave" is about a detective that suspects a mysterious widow in a murder case and later becomes interested in her.
Actor Song Kang-ho of "Broker" poses for photos after winning Best Actor award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on Saturday. (Reuters-Yonhap)
Song took home the best actor prize for his role of a baby broker in the film written and directed by Cannes-winning Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda.
It is the first title that he earned from Cannes, although he has starred in several Cannes-winning titles, including Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" (2019) and Park Chan-wook's "Thirst" (2009). He served as a jury member at last year's Cannes.
He is also became the first South Korean male actor winning an acting prize at Cannes. Jeon Do-yeon was awarded Best Actress for her role in the drama "Secret Sunshine" in 2007, in which Song also starred.
Meanwhile, the top honor of Palme d'Or went to "Triangle of Sadness" directed by Ruben Ostlund, and the Grand Prix was shared by "Close" by Lukas Dhont and "Stars At Noon" by Claire Denis. [The Korean Herald]
Comments