Film director Im Kwon-taek was named joint best director at the Cannes film festival Sunday for "Chihwaseon," a film which peers into the life of a 19th century Korean artist, leading the domestic industry into witnessing the dawning of a new era, after more than eight decades of filmmaking.
Shot against the backdrop of the country's history and natural beauty, the veteran filmmaker portrays the story of Chang Sung-up, one of the three pillar artists who defined the Josun Dynasty's painting.
President Kim Dae-jung sent a congratulatory message to Im and said he had set a new milestone for the domestic film industry, which has recently been gaining a growing international presence.
The award was also shared with US filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson for his dark comedy "Punch-Drunk Love".
The much-coveted Palme d'Or award went to Polish director Roman Polanski for "The Pianist," the story of a man surviving in the Warsaw ghetto during World War Two.
(Arirang TV)
