Asian films at the 62nd Cannes International Film Festival - May 13 to 24 2009.
The Jury
Korean director Lee Chang-dong will be part of the jury, headed by French actress Isabelle Huppert, Taiwanese actresses Shu Qi, Asia Argento (Italy) and Robin Wright Penn (US) and directors James Gray (US) turkish Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and english writer Hanif Kureishi. The festival´s president is Gilles Jacob.
Lee's "Secret Sunshine" was nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2007, and won the Best Actress Award.
The Palme d'Or
"Thirst" (South Korea)
Park Chan-wook´s new thriller was nominated for the Palme d'Or. The korean director won the Grand Prix Award in 2004, with "Old Boy".
Song Kang-ho is a priest who becomes a vampire and falls in love with his friend's wife.
Lou Ye´s “Spring Fever” (China, France). In 2006, Ye presented the film “Summer Palace”, without the chinese government approval.
Ang Lee´s nort american production “Taking Woodstock” (US).
Johnnie To´s “Vengeance” (HK, France, US).
Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang´s “Visage”.
Un Certain Regard section
"Mother - 2009"
Bong Joon-ho´s drama-thriller will be screened at the Un Certain Regard section.
The director won the award for Best Director at the 2007 Oporto International Film Festival for "The Host" (2006).
Kim Hye-ja as a distressed mother who fights to prove her son's innocence against false charge of homicide.
Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda´s “AIR DOLL”
Pen-ek Ratanaruang director will present “NYMPH” (Thailand)
Jung Yu-mi´s animation "Dust Kid" has been invited to the Director's Fortnight Program.
The 10-minute independent short animation features a theme that although, like dust settling directly after cleaning, people are never free from worries, they are still able to garner their strength.
The only brasilian film in competition (Un Certain Regard section) is “À Deriva”, from director Heitor Dhalia.
Three women directors had their films nominated for the Palme d'Or. The aussie Jane Campion (the only woman that won the Palme d´Or with “The Piano”) with “BRIGHT STAR” (Australia, UK, France), spanish director Isabel Coixet, with “MAP OF THE SOUDS OF TOKYO”, that looks very interesting and finally, Andrea Arnold and the film “FISH TANK” (UK, Holand).
