Director and screenplay writer Kim Ki-duk expressed his gratitude to the audience on the 28th of June. He revealed a letter with his appreciation through the distributors. Produced by Jeon Jae-hong and acted out by Yoon Kye-sang and Kim Gyoo-ri-I, "Poongsan" is about a mysterious man who goes back and forth Seoul and Pyongyang, resolving the sorrows of separated families and the incidents that happen after he brings a woman of a high-ranking government officials from Pyongyang to Seoul. Having been released on the 23rd, it has drawn in 310,000 admissions as of the 27th and reached the break-even point. At a cost of 200 million won (~US$200,000 ), this movie staff and actors were on it for no guarantees. The following is the letter written by director and producer Kim Ki-duk.
Thanking the audience for "Poongsan"
Last night after I received a phone call that "Poongsan" had gone over the breaking point and that we could pay our staff and the audience kept coming in, I cried. I can't believe this low-budget film written by me is making profit in the Korean theaters. Of course this is all thanks to those staff and producers who worked hard but still I can't believe this is happening to Kim Ki-duk films.
I appreciate the thought of everyone listening to me. I pray that the number of cinemas don't dicrease so that those who want to see "Poongsan" can watch it whenever they like among the Hollywood movies that are coming soon. I am also more than happy to say that I can pay the staff and actors who trusted me and worked hard.
Personally it is a miracle for me to know my low-budget movie "Poongsan" is proudly being viewed in more than 200 cinemas and I hope this becomes a model for future low-budget films.
There was nothing but a scenario written in a countryside cottage. Without an office, 10 of us used director Jeon Jae-hong's 5 pyeong (~15M3~150Sq Ft) room as an office which he couldn't even afford to pay the rent for. We used all the money from a corporate account, personal account and even rusty foreign coins that were in the drawers. We didn't have enough assets to carry on with post production so we went everyone off to another movie site and the two of us starved ourselves to complete it. We even spread word that we will sell 10% of the "Poongsan" company share but we had no luck. We even thought of running away if the movie didn't succeed.
I would like to thank our distributor NEW, Dongah Broadcasting University which support us with the set, Nikkon that provided us with the cameras and the music director who gave us music even without a share. There will be many who felt pain, impression and even anger at this movie.
Last Saturday was the 61st anniversary of the 6.25 war. As much as we care of 6.25, there will be a difference in understanding "Poongsan" and there might be some scenes that are quite disappointing due to the lack of assets.
Therefore I thank everyone who spend their money and time to watch the movie.
I will work hard to make better movies in the future.
From Kim Ki-duk,
2011 June 27th
Source: news.nate.com/view/20... (Korean)
Credit to hancinema.net
0 comments:
Post a Comment