Korean presence at Cannes Film Fest reaches new heights

The Korean presence at the Cannes Film Festival will reach new heights this year with five movies directed by Korean filmmakers joining the lineup at the world’s most prestigious film festival, including two vying for the top prize.

Director Im Sang-soo headed to Cannes this year for the second time with his disturbing portrait of a Korean chaebol family in “Taste of Money.” Director Hong Sang-soo makes his eighth appearance at the festival with “In Another Country,” starring French arthouse staple Isabelle Huppert.

The works will be judged by a jury led by Italian director Nanni Moretti and will compete alongside 20 other feature films from around the world for the Palme d’Or prize.

Other Korean films to be screened at Cannes include “The King of Pigs” by Yeun Sang-ho at the Directors’ Fortnight section and “Circle Line” by Shin Su-won in the International Critics’ Week. Director Heo Jin-ho’s “Dangerous Liaisons” was also selected for the Directors’ Fortnight section.

Im’s last visit to Cannes was in 2010 when he brought his remake of late director Kim Ki-young’s “The Housemaid” to compete for the Palme d’Or.

His new film, “Taste of Money,” will premier at Cannes on Saturday, a day before the winner of the Palme d’Or is slated to be announced.

Meanwhile, Hong has enjoyed the interest of Cannes throughout his career, with his film “Ha ha ha” winning the Prix Un Certain Regard in 2010. His 2004 film “Woman Is the Future of Man” was entered in the competition category at Cannes that year but failed to win the prize.

By Cho Jae-eun [jainnie@joongang.co.kr]