Preview – Two or Three Things I Know About Kim Ki-young, Korean Cultural Centre UK, February 22

The 5th of February marks the 20th anniversary of filmmaker Kim Ki-young’s death. After making his directorial debut in commercial cinema with 1955’s Box of Death, Kim went on to helm over 30 films. He was a director who reaped considerable commercial success throughout the 1960’s while adhering to an independent method of production and controlling, alongside his wife, his own film company. His celebrated works include The Housemaid (1960), The Sea Knows (1961), Woman of Fire (1971), Promise of the Flesh (1975), Killer Butterfly (1978), and Beasts of Prey (1985).

After eventually being re-discovered in the late 1980s and early 1990s, his works would leave a deep impression on a new generation of cinephiles, many of whom have become major figures representing Korean film today, including directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho. Kim was honoured in 1997 with a retrospective at the 2nd Busan Film Festival, an event which aimed to establish him amongst the ranks of “masters” of Korean film. Unfortunately Kim and his wife lost their lives when a fire broke out in his house shortly afterwards in early 1998. Any hopes of seeing a new work by a filmmaker who seemed reinvigorated by this new attention vanished in the tragedy.

At the Korean Cultural Centre UK on February 22, filmmaker and festival programmer Kim Hong-joon will talk about “two or three things” he knows about Kim Ki-young. Kim has edited books, researched the scripts and made an essay documentary on this ‘master’ filmmaker. Attendees will first watch his intriguing documentary, then Kim Hong-joon and Dr. Mark Morris will discuss Kim Ki-young, his films and his legacy.

This event will be held on Thursday February 22 from 19:00-21:30 at the Korean Cultural Centre UK, London. It is free of charge. Places can be registered through Eventbrite.