Forgot password

PIFF retrospective to focus on Kim Jimi

Each year the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) holds a Korean Cinema Retrospective, offering local and overseas audiences a glimpse into the glories of Korean film history.  This year’s spotlight is on actress KIM Jimi, considered a goddess of the golden age, appearing in more than 700 films throughout her career.

Discovered as a teenager in the late 50s, KIM got her start in a film by director HONG Sung-ki and began to be noticed in famed director KIM Ki-young’s Twilight Train (1957).  The 15th PIFF will present 8 feature films from various periods throughout her long career.  The earliest is 1959’s Three O’Clock on a Rainy Afternoon by PARK Jong-ho.

Other films in the retrospective include venerable director KIM Soo-yong’s 1975 masterpiece Earth, surrealist genius KIM Ki-young’s Promises of the Flesh (1975), and two films by veteran master IM Kwon-taek,  Gilsotteum (1985) and Ticket (1986).   The selection rounds out with films The Tiger Moth (1965) by JO Hae-Won, How’s Your Wife? (1966) by LEE Seong-Gu and Eul-hwa (1979) by BYUN Jang-Ho.

Actress KIM was often compared to Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor for her western style appearance and turbulent personal life.  KIM will be present at the festival and receive a ‘Director’s Chair’ from the Korean Cinema Retrospective’s sponsor, Hermes Korea.  A reception will be held in her honor during PIFF.

Nigel D’Sa (KOFIC)