Prosperous Second Appearance at Cannes for MOON Byoung-gon

 

 

 

 

The illustrious Cannes Film Festival wound to a close last night (May 26th) issuing out its coveted awards that have had pundits guessing throughout the fest’s 12-day run. Korea, despite having no feature-length films in the lineup this year, also had something to celebrate. The short Safe, by director MOON Byoung-gon, was handed the Short Film Palme d’Or, marking a first for a Korean director. Meanwhile, the three-hour French drama Blue Is the Warmest Color picked up the top prize of the event, the official competition Palme d’Or.

 

Safe focuses on a college girl working an illegal job in the cramped booth of an underground gambling parlor. Claustrophobic and grimy, the film deftly examines exploitation in Korea, particularly as the girl’s desire to be free ironically only confines her further.

 

The director received his prize at the closing ceremony on Sunday night, as he went up on stage and was handed his Short Palme d’Or by Short Film Competition Jury president Jane Campion, the revered New Zealand director, and international Danish star Mads Mikkelsen. Following his win, the young filmmaker said that he felt “like I’ve been reborn. I’m really happy, that’s all I can say today. It’s the first time I’ve bought a tuxedo, the first time I’ve come to Cannes and the first time I’ve won a prize. And I hope all these firsts will help me move ahead more quickly…” MOON is no stranger to Cannes as his short Finis Operis previously competed at the festival in 2011 as part of its Cannes Critics’ Week (La Semaine de la Critique) lineup.

 

Following accolades in recent years for PARK Chan-wook’s Thirst (Jury Prize – Official Competition, 2009), JO Sung-hee’s Don’t Step Out of the House (3rd Prize – Cinéfondation, 2009), LEE Chang-dong’s Poetry (Best Screenplay – Official Competition, 2010), HONG Sangsoo’s HaHaHa (Un Certain Regard Prize, 2010), KIM Ki-duk’s Arirang (Un Certain Regard Prize, 2011), SON Tae-gyum’s Fly by Night (3rd Prize – Cinéfondation, 2011) and SHIN Su-won’s Circle Line (Canal+ Prize – International Critics’ Week, 2012), MOON has maintained Korea’s winning streak on the Croisette, which now stretches to five years.