[Interview] Im Kwon-taek "I Should Have Enjoyed My 60-Year Film Career More Freely" [26th BIFF]

Photo by BIFF (same below)

[Busan=Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] "I loved movies, so I lived chasing after them. Now, I’m at the end of my age. If I had lived my film life more freely, life might have been more adventurous. That darn award. Oh dear. It’s over now, so well... Anyway, I’ve been doing well. Haha."

Director Im Kwon-taek reflected on his film career, which includes 102 films, during an interview held on the afternoon of the 7th at the small theater of Dongseo University Centum Campus in Haeundae-gu, Busan. He was honest and cheerful. His flavorful storytelling, which has made the public laugh and cry for over 60 years, filled Busan completely.

The 26th Busan International Film Festival named Im, a living legend of Korean cinema, as this year’s Asian Filmmaker of the Year. This award is given annually to an Asian filmmaker or organization that has shown the most outstanding activities in the development of the Asian film industry and culture. He received the trophy at the opening ceremony held on the 6th.

When asked about his thoughts, Director Im humbly said, "At my age, it’s difficult to make films and expect awards." He added, "My life is over, so it feels like receiving a lifetime achievement award. I see the award as a form of encouragement to work harder, but I’m at the end of my life. Shouldn’t the award go to those who still have active lives ahead of them?"

Born in 1934, Im Kwon-taek debuted in 1962 with "Farewell, Duman River" and directed 102 films. He won the Best Director award at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival for "Chihwaseon" and the Honorary Golden Bear at the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival. He has portrayed the Korean spirit and life in many works such as "Seopyeonje" (1993) and "Chunhyang" (2000).

Although Im Kwon-taek is a maestro who has won more trophies than anyone else, he took the word "award" seriously. "My abilities don’t quite reach that level, but I had an expectation to endlessly win awards at major film festivals, which was exhausting. That pressure made me live as if I was being chased. I should have made films with more leisure, but I worked in pain. It’s not my fault. Haha."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Having been spotlighted at film festivals worldwide, Director Im said, "I felt like I owed something." He recalled, "People around me had high expectations, but I felt a sense of inferiority because I couldn’t achieve that with my abilities. Receiving awards at overseas film festivals gave me some pride, but the festivals also tightened the pressure on me."

Starting with his debut film "Farewell, Duman River" (1962), Im Kwon-taek has continuously made films for over 60 years, up to his 102nd film "The Funeral" (2014), promoting Asian cinema globally. He said, "As a director who has made over 100 films, I have made all the works I wanted to." He added, "What I haven’t made is a film based on our shamanism, and I wanted to portray the Korean people, but now there’s no opportunity, and even if there were, I would decline and leave it to a better director."

His witty storytelling remained intact. Reflecting on his works, Director Im said, "Making a film costs a lot. Film is something that easily destroys producers who have money. (If it doesn’t work) it kills the producer. Compared to when I was directing, I feel a bit relieved," and laughed heartily.

Recently, the film industry has been struggling due to the impact of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection). Movie theaters, classified as multi-use facilities, are empty, and major distributors have postponed their release schedules one after another. Will we be able to experience gathering in theaters to watch movies again? Director Im nodded and offered advice to the Korean film industry.

He began, "Everyone probably wants to find comfort, have fun, and watch movies together in theaters. Because of COVID, we are living in a strange era where we can’t freely enjoy the things we like and find fun in life. I think we are living in a truly bizarre time."

When asked if audiences will return to theaters after COVID ends, he answered, "Yes." "When people get bored, movie theaters are the best place to spend time and find comfort. I naturally think that will happen. It has always been like that since movie theaters were created."

Director Im said he called Director Bong Joon-ho after watching "Parasite" and told him it was great. He said, "I did that because it was so good. Our Korean films used to have some noticeable lack of completeness, but Bong Joon-ho’s film was very well made. It’s not that our films are just getting better, but they have reached a global level. I think we are moving forward solidly."

Finally, when asked who has been the greatest support in his life, he chose his wife. "I’ve never praised her before, but I want to praise her for the first time in a place like this. I owe her a lot. We don’t have a very comfortable life because of limited income, but she has endured well, so I’m still treated as a film director. I want to thank my wife." Mrs. Chaeryeong, who was seated at the side of the interview room, smiled brightly and responded with applause. The couple left the scene arm in arm affectionately.

Busan=Reporter Lee Iseul

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.