Catch Kim Ki-duk's ARIRANG at The Arts House

Directed by award winning Korean director Kim Ki-duk whose other film PIETA (Golden Lion winner at Venice Film Festival) was screened last weekend at The Arts House, ARIRANG heralded Kim's comeback to filmmaking after a 3-year hiatus, winning the Un Certain Regard award at Cannes Film Festival.

Arirang captures the talented filmmaker attempting to find and reconciliate with himself via the medium that he loves best.

The documentary addresses a personal crisis Kim went through, sparked by a near-fatal incident during the shooting of his 2008 film, Dream, where the lead actress nearly died while hanging from a rope in a suicide scene, and by the departure of two of his close colleagues, including his assistant director Jang Hoon.

The title of the film comes from a Korean folk song, and Kim wrote that it is through Arirang that he could understand human beings, thank nature and accept his life as it is now. Very much a self-portrait, the film explains why he took a hiatus from filmmaking and is an insightful look into his mind, heart and occasionally tortured soul. The most fascinating aspect for the viewer is trying to ascertain if Kim’s words and emotions come from the heart or are self-indulgently staged for the camera.  

Tickets are available at The Arts House box office or online: http://www.bytes.sg/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=467