Three Korean films were under the spotlight at the 67th Cannes Film Festival that ended on May 25. Theater seats during these films' screenings were all taken, and the audience and critics alike gave a standing ovation to all of them. The three films are director July Jung's "A Girl at My Door," presented in the Un Certain Regard section, director Chang's "The Target," in the Midnight Screening section, and Kim Seong-hun's "A Hard Day," shown in the Directors' Fortnight section. These directors are all relatively new, as these films are either their first or second feature film.




"A Girl at My Door" features Bae Doo-na, Kim Sae-ron and Song Sae-byeok and deals with sensitive issues. A young policewoman, Youg-nam, is ousted and transferred to a fishing village as the chief of a police substation. She meets Do-hui, played by Kim Sae-ron, a child who has been abused by her stepfather. The officer brings Do-hui home but Do-hui's stepfather learns about her past and puts her in danger. The film touches on the absurdities of society and on human rights issues, discussing the basic instincts and prejudices in our society. The film succeeds in catching and expressing all the details of human emotion, and the storytelling is coherent throughout, perfectly delivering the message it conveys.

At its premiere on May 19, the audience gave a standing ovation after watching the film. The press said the screenplay, acting and cinematography in the film were all perfect.

"I liked the film at first sight. It was a difficult subject to deal with, but the story is well-told with great directing," said Christian Jeune, deputy to the general delegate at the Cannes Film Festival. "In particular, the acting was absolutely perfect. Kim Sae-ron, who plays the child, is worth mentioning. I hope to see her again at Cannes."

"Violence is expressed and portrayed well, through sophisticated directing and great acting," wrote the French newspaper Libération. "Shockingly beautiful images and great acting really stood out."

Speaking of the film's message, director Jung said, "Lonely people will be able to feel empathy with the film and with other people. If the audience sees hope in the film, that is the kind of hope it can give to the audience."



All 825 seats were occupied during the screening of "A Hard Day," though the premiere was early in the morning. The audience laughed and clapped, really enjoying the movie. Its story starts as Ko Gun-su, a corrupt cop played by Lee Sun-kyun, receives a divorce notice filed by his wife on the day of his mother's funeral. As well, Gun-su is extremely agitated by the news that he is being investigated internally by the police. Then, he gets involved in a hit-and-run accident while he is driving recklessly. He tries to conceal the accident and hides the body in his mother's casket, but he is threatened by a stranger. There's a tension that runs through the whole film and it only gets bigger.

"This slick, dynamic, twist-heavy police thriller combines supercharged suspense with flashes of dark humor... It is a dynamic and highly enjoyable rollercoaster ride," wrote the U.S. film magazine Hollywood Reporter.

"Refreshing and ultimately a great deal of fun, 'A Hard Day' finds the right balance in addressing issues such as corruption while also paying close attention to what makes a film compelling and engaging through its clever execution and witty script," wrote the British film magazine Screen Daily. "Its opening half especially is intelligently and skillfully crafted, allowing it to break out as it premieres in the Cannes Directors’ fortnight."

"I devoted myself to this film like I was preparing for an important state exam," said director Kim Seong-hun. "My goal is to communicate with the audience and continue to make films."




"The Target" is a Korean remake of the 2010 French action-thriller "Point Blank." The film is about an ordinary doctor who is desperate to save his pregnant and kidnapped wife. An ex-mercenary killer, played by Ryu Seung-ryong, is framed for murder. The doctor, played by Lee Jin-wook, tends to the mercenary but receives a sudden attack from an assailant and follows the mercenary to rescue his wife.

"The Target" received a great response from the audience including a standing ovation at its premiere at the Lumiere Theater on May 23. Fred Cavaye, the director of "Point Blank," was also present at the screening.

"The movie is similar to the original, but the description of each character feels different, which makes the film very interesting," said Cavaye. "Chang is young and talented. I am satisfied that the remake is so well-adapted that it is better than the original."



By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr