Korean morality tale premieres at Venice

Agence France-Presse

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Multi-awarded director Kim Ki-duk presents his 18th feature film at the Venice film fest

A SCREEN GRAB FROM the trailer of 'Pieta' on YouTube

VENICE, Italy – South Korean director Kim Ki-duk brought his brand of excruciating emotion and troubling imagery to the Venice Film Festival Tuesday, September 4, with his condemnation of extreme capitalism in “Pieta.”

The film revolves around a brutal loan shark played by Lee Jung-jin who prowls the back alleys and small workshops of a central area of Seoul that is quickly going out of business and being replaced by skyscrapers.

Kim said at a press conference that he was inspired by Michelangelo’s famous “Pieta” statue in the Vatican of a Virgin Mary holding the corpse of her son Jesus Christ, as well as the fallout from the current economic crisis.

“I’ve been to the Vatican twice to admire this masterpiece by Michelangelo. The image of this embrace has stayed with me for many years. For me it is an embrace of humanity,” said the 51-year-old director.

“I feel that this movie in particular is a movie dedicated to humankind in a situation of deep crisis in extreme capitalism,” Kim said.

“There are 3 protagonists: the two actors and money.”

Actor Lee spoke of his apprehension about taking the role, saying, “I was a bit afraid because he works with darkness, (with difficulty) it all went very well… I was not asked to play beautiful scenes but to play true scenes.”

Lee’s character is often compared to an infernal creature by his victims (in the movie) and he enforces a grim Faustian pact — hobbling the artisans who cannot pay their debts in order to cash in on the insurance they have been forced to take out.

One day, a woman claiming to be his mother walks into his life and he tries to change his ways in an emotional crescendo until an ending in which audiences are left wondering whether there can ever be redemption for such a cruel man.

Director Kim has won awards at the Berlin and Venice Film Festivals and is known for shooting quickly and on low budgets. This is his 18th feature film.

“Pieta” is one of 18 movies vying for this year’s Golden Lion prize, the winner of which will be announced on Saturday, September 8. – Agence France-Presse

Watch the trailer of Pieta here:


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