Song Il-gon

Last updated
Song Il-gon
Song Il-gon.jpg
Song Il-gon at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival
Born (1971-01-01) January 1, 1971 (age 54)
Seoul, South Korea
Alma mater Seoul Institute of the Arts
National Film School in Łódź
Occupation(s) Film director,
screenwriter
Years active1998-present
Korean name
Hangul
송일곤
Hanja
Revised Romanization Song Il-gon
McCune–Reischauer Song Il-gon

Song Il-gon (born January 1, 1971) is a South Korean film director and screenwriter known for his internationally award-winning early short films, and later feature films such as Spider Forest (2004) and Feathers in the Wind (2005). Long more popular abroad than in South Korea, Song was the first Korean filmmaker to win an award at the Cannes Film Festival. [1]

Contents

Life and career

Song Il-gon was born in Seoul on January 1, 1971. He studied Fine Arts at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. [1] After graduation he applied to study film in the United States. His visa application was rejected by that country, and Song instead attended the National Academy of Film in Łódź, Poland. He was only the second Korean student to study at this institution which is known for prominent alumni such as Roman Polanski and Krzysztof Kieślowski. [1] Unable to deal with specifically Korean themes or history while in Poland, Song turned to themes influenced by psychology and Western mythology. [1]

Beginning in 1998, Song's short films began attracting international attention. Liver and Potato (1998) took its inspiration from the biblical story of Cain and Abel. The Dream of the Clowns (also 1998) was filmed at a Polish circus. Both of these films were shown at international film festivals, and both were released at short-film specialty theaters in South Korea. [2] Song became the first Korean to win an award at the Cannes Film Festival with his short film Picnic (Sopoong, 1999), which was given the Jury Prize for Best Short Film. This film was also given the Grand Prix at the Melbourne International Film Festival. [1]

Back in Korea, Song was asked by the Seoul International Media Art Biennale (Media City Seoul) to make a 50-second video clip to be screened on electronic billboards for one month. He made Flush, about a teenage girl committing abortion in a public toilet. Even though Song had shown the screenplay to the government before filming, the authorities censored and removed the short after one day for its taboo subject. [3]

Song's first feature film was Flower Island (2001), a story about three women with psychological wounds traveling together to an island that is said to have magical healing powers. [3] [4] The film was successful internationally, winning prizes at the Venice Film Festival and the Fribourg International Film Festival among others. Afterward Song took an acting role in director Park Kyung-hee's debut film, A Smile (Miso, 2004). [5]

Spider Forest (2004), Song's second feature film, was not successful in the South Korean domestic market, either with audiences or critics. [1] But it was Song's first film to be given a region-1 DVD release in the U.S.

Song's next feature film, Feathers in the Wind was originally planned as a 30-minute short as part of omnibus film 1.3.6, but major South Korean production studio CJ Entertainment gave Song funds to make the work into a feature for individual release. The resulting film was Song's first domestic success, with some Korean critics acclaiming it as the best romance ever filmed in Korea. [6] The Magicians (2005) also began as a 40-minute short, one-third of the 2005 Jeonju Digital Project Talk to Her. [7] Song expanded the experimental digitally shot film into a 96-minute feature done entirely in one tracking shot. [8]

In February 2007, Song was reported to be working on a film with the working title of Telephone Girl. An adaptation of the stage play Telephone Modern Girl, the film was to deal with Korea during the 1920s and 1930s, when the country was modernizing under Japanese occupation. [9] However in January 2008, Song was reportedly in pre-production for a period horror film set during the Joseon Dynasty entitled Sahwa ("Royal Massacre"). This film was scheduled to begin shooting in March 2008. [10] Celebrated 1990s actor Moon Sung-keun was reported to be playing the lead role as a king dealing with murder as well as problems of a supernatural nature. [11] These projects did not push through.

In 2009 Song turned to documentaries, telling the story of the Korean diaspora in Cuba in Dance of Time. [12] [13] He also contributed the titular short film to Sorry, Thanks, an omnibus film dealing with the profound relationships people establish with their pets. [14]

Always , which opened the 2011 Busan International Film Festival, was his first mainstream film. [15] [16] Inspired by Charlie Chaplin's City Lights , [17] Song said he wanted to make a "conventional love story which takes place in today's urban city." [18] [19] [20]

Song shot the documentary Forest of Time in Yakushima, Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is said to have inspired Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Princess Mononoke . [21]

Filmography

Awards

Wins

Nominations

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moon So-ri</span> South Korean actress (born 1974)

Moon So-ri is a South Korean actress, film director and screenwriter. She is best known for her acclaimed leading roles in Oasis (2002) and A Good Lawyer's Wife (2003).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Jee-woon</span> South Korean filmmaker (born 1964)

Kim Jee-woon is a South Korean film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was a theater actor and director before debuting with his self-written and directed film, The Quiet Family in 1998. Kim has worked with increasing levels of success in cinema, showing accomplished acting and a detailed stylization in his films. He is currently one of the most recognized screenwriters/directors in the Korean film industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yoo Ji-tae</span> South Korean actor (born 1976)

Yoo Ji-tae is a South Korean actor. After a stint as a fashion model, Yoo launched his acting career in 1998 then rose to fame through the films Attack the Gas Station (1999) and Ditto (2000). In the succeeding years, he gained acting recognition by working with acclaimed directors such as Hur Jin-ho in One Fine Spring Day (2001), Park Chan-wook in Oldboy (2003), and Hong Sang-soo in Woman is the Future of Man (2004). Yoo began directing short films in 2003, which were well received in the film festival circuit. His feature directorial debut Mai Ratima was released in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryoo Seung-bum</span> South Korean actor (born 1980)

Ryoo Seung-bum is a South Korean actor. He made a name for himself in his older brother director Ryoo Seung-wan's eclectic films, notably Die Bad, Arahan (2004), Crying Fist (2005), The Unjust (2010), and The Berlin File (2013). Known for his manic energy, casual demeanor and subtle ability to command a scene, over the years Ryoo Seung-bum has cemented his status as one of Korea's top actors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bong Joon-ho</span> South Korean filmmaker (born 1969)

Bong Joon-ho is a South Korean filmmaker. The recipient of three Academy Awards, his work is characterised by emphasis on social and class themes, genre-mixing, dark comedy, and sudden tone shifts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shin Sang-ok</span> South Korean filmmaker

Shin Sang-ok, anglicized as Simon Sheen, was a South Korean filmmaker who directed 74 films in a career spanning over five decades. He is best known in South Korea for his efforts during the 1950s and 1960s, many of them collaborations with his wife Choi Eun-hee. Shin posthumously received the Gold Crown Cultural Medal, the country's top honor for an artist.

<i>Spider Forest</i> 2004 South Korean film

Spider Forest is a 2004 South Korean horror-drama written and directed by Song Il-gon.

<i>Woman Is the Future of Man</i> 2004 South Korean film

Woman Is the Future of Man is a 2004 South Korean film directed by Hong Sang-soo. The film was not a box-office hit, but was entered in the competition category of the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and received screenings at several other festivals. The title of the film is a translation of a line from a poem by Louis Aragon that the director saw printed on a French postcard.

<i>My Scary Girl</i> 2006 South Korean film

My Scary Girl is a 2006 South Korean black/romantic comedy film written and directed by Son Jae-gon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Park Hae-il</span> South Korean actor (born 1977)

Park Hae-il is a South Korean actor. He began his acting career in theater, but soon gained the film industry's attention in 2003 with Scent of Love and Memories of Murder. Park's film career took off, with leading roles in notable films, including Rules of Dating (2005), The Host (2006), Moss (2010), War of the Arrows (2011), Eungyo (2012), Whistle Blower (2014), The Last Princess (2016), The Fortress (2017), Decision to Leave (2022) and Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022).

<i>Feathers in the Wind</i> 2004 South Korean film

Feathers in the Wind is a 2004 South Korean film directed by Song Il-gon. It was originally planned as a 30-minute section of a three-part omnibus film with two other directors, entitled 1.3.6. At 73 minutes, the film exceeded the limits of the original omnibus format and was released on its own theatrically and on DVD.

<i>Flower Island</i> 2001 film by Song Il-gon

Flower Island is a 2001 South Korean film directed by Song Il-gon. This was Song's first feature-length film after directing several award-winning short films.

<i>Nabi</i> (film) 2001 film by Moon Seung-wook

Nabi is a 2001 South Korean science fiction film. Directed by Moon Seung-wook, Nabi was shot on digital video and transferred onto 35mm film, filmed on a low budget of $380,000. It marked the feature film debut of Kang Hye-jung, who won Best Actress at the 5th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival for her role as Yuki. Nabi also starred Kim Ho-jung, who won the Bronze Leopard for Best Actress at the 54th Locarno International Film Festival.

Kim Bo-yeon is a South Korean actress.

Byun Young-joo is a South Korean film director. Her films explore issues of women's rights and human rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jang Hyun-sung</span> South Korean actor (born 1970)

Jang Hyun-sung is a South Korean actor. He started his acting career as a member of the Hakjeon Theatre Company, before transitioning to film and television. Jang is best known for starring in director Song Il-gon's arthouse films such as Spider Forest (2004) and The Magicians (2006), and most notably Feathers in the Wind (2005), for which one review praised him for giving "the performance of his career." He also had major roles in Nabi (2001), Rewind, My Right to Ravage Myself (2005), Love Is a Crazy Thing (2005), and My Friend and His Wife (2008). Aside from acting, Jang was one of the screenwriters for the Moon Seung-wook film Romance (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yim Pil-sung</span> South Korean film director

Yim Pil-sung is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. He wrote and directed Antarctic Journal (2005), Hansel and Gretel (2007), and Scarlet Innocence (2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yeon Sang-ho</span> South Korean film director and screenwriter

Yeon Sang-ho is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. He gained international popularity for working his adult animated films The King of Pigs (2011) and The Fake (2013), and the live-action film Train to Busan (2016), its animated prequel Seoul Station (2016) and live-action sequel Peninsula (2020), and first South Korean superhero film Psychokinesis (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Park Jung-hoon (cinematographer)</span> South Korean filmmaker (born 1982)

Park Jung-hoon is a South Korean cinematographer and film director. Park gained international recognition with the action thriller The Villainess, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017, with four awards as Director of Photography. Park has been working in the film industry for almost two decades on a variety of genres, including low-budget films, independent films, and documentaries.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brown, James (22 July 2005). "Don't Forget Him When He's Cool: An Interview with Song Il-gon". Senses of Cinema. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  2. ↑ Paquet, Darcy. "The Picnic (So-Poong)". Koreanfilm.org. Archived from the original on 2017-08-03. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  3. 1 2 Gatto, Robin. "Song Il-gon's Flower Girls". Filmfestivals.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  4. ↑ Hartzell, Adam. "Flower Island". Koreanfilm.org. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  5. ↑ Kim, Kyu-hyun. "A Smile". Koreanfilm.org. Archived from the original on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  6. ↑ "FEATHER IN THE WIND, a.k.a. GIT (Korea, 2004); North American Premiere". Subway Cinema. Archived from the original on 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  7. ↑ Scheib, Ronnie (18 July 2006). "The Magicians". Variety. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  8. ↑ Kim, Tae-jong (2 May 2005). "Freer Expression Thru Digital Media". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on 2005-05-05. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
  9. ↑ Yi, Ch’ang-ho (20 February 2007). "SONG Il-gon Tackles Modernization of Korea". Korean Film Council. Archived from the original on 2014-11-04. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  10. ↑ D’Sa, Nigel (14 January 2008). "SONG Il-gon Horror to Shoot this Spring". Korean Film Council. Archived from the original on 2014-11-04. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  11. ↑ D’Sa, Nigel (26 February 2008). "MOON Sung-keun Cast in SONG Il-gon Horror". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  12. ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (8 December 2009). "Song Il-gon Documents Romantic Dance of Diaspora". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  13. ↑ "Song Il-gon Interview". Hangul Celluloid. 26 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  14. ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (19 May 2011). "Omnibus film on pets is poignant, profound". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  15. ↑ Jeon, Chanil. "Always". BIFF.kr. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  16. ↑ Noh, Jean (6 October 2011). "Busan kicks off 16th festival to roars of applause in new cinema center". Screen International . Archived from the original on 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  17. ↑ Kim, Sam (6 October 2011). "Director: Chaplin inspired Busan film fest opener". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  18. ↑ Lee, Claire (6 October 2011). "BIFF opener conventional, yet charming". The Korea Herald . Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  19. ↑ Kim, Jessica (6 October 2011). "Song Il-gon hopes Always will be a reminder of true value of love". Asiae. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  20. ↑ "Year of the 12 Directors: Introducing Song Il-Gon". Korean Class Massive. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  21. ↑ "Forest of Time (2011)". The Chosun Ilbo . 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  22. ↑ List of awards based on "Awards for Il-gon Song". IMDb . Archived from the original on 2005-05-17. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.