The Korean industry has exploded in the last decade, quickly rising to the top ranking film industry of the continent ahead of neighbouring Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.
Born under Japanese occupation, Korean cinema has found its freedom of expression only since 1993, after half a century of military dictatorship.
This is the "Hanryu", the "Korean wave", which literally flooded initially the national territory (with 110 million eticket sales in 2003 and a 50% share of the national cinema market) and then the entire Asian continent. 30 Korean films had been released in France within 4 years – without counting the films released directly through the video market.
Korean actors become the big stars of the moment, appearing on TV screens and magazine covers all over Asia.
No other film industry today attracts as much attention in the world as the Korean cinema.
Among the new wave of filmmakers who electrified Korean cinema, Kim Ki-duk is one of a kind. Hitting 40 and having 13 films to his credit, Kim Ki-duk shows his country as a land, devastated and plagued by rampant capitalism ...