Im Kwon-taek's 101th film to open in theaters Mar 17

Poster for veteran director Im Kwon-taek's 101th film "Hanji" [Jeonju International Film Festival]

The release date for veteran director Im Kwon-taek's 101th film "Hanji" has been set for March 17, according to the film's producer Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) on Tuesday.

The pic, starring top Korean actors Park Joong-hoon, Kang Soo-hyun and Ye Ji-won, had originally been set to open in theaters in November of last year but got delayed after facing difficulties related to having to film in ice-cold weather.

"Hanji," also the name for Korea's traditional handmade paper, is about people who dedicate their lives to the art of making the paper.

Park will play a civil servant, Ye his wife and Kang a documentary producer who aim to restore the sole surviving collection of royal records from the Joseon Dynasty.

Im had said he hopes viewers will consider "Hanji" his debut pic instead of 101th film -- he has ventured into the world of digital cinema for the first time, working with young cinematographer Hwang Gi-seok instead of his old working partner Jung Il-sung.

South Korea's three major distributors Lotte Entertainment, CJ Entertainment and Showbox have all teamed up for the investment, distribution and promotion of the pic in a tribute to the celebrated filmmaker.

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Jessica Kim jesskim@