Director Heo Ga-yeong, a ‘film student’, defended the pride of Korean films at the Cannes International Film Festival in France, the world’s most prestigious international film festival.With his graduation short film ‘First Summer’, he won ‘first place’ in the ‘La Cinephe’ section, where film school works compete.

On the 23rd(Korean time), two days before the closing ceremony of the 78th Cannes International Film Festival, at the ‘La Cinef’ (formerly known as Cinefondation)awards ceremony held at the Cannes Bunuel Theater, Director Huh Ga-young’s ‘First Summer’ won first place, beating out Chinese director Qu Zhizheng’s ‘12 Minutes Before the Flag-Raising Ceremony’ (second place).

The ‘La Cinephe’ section, which targets short and medium-length films made by film school students around the world, is a competitive section that discovers the next generation of filmmakers.This year, 16 films were invited out of 2,679 applications from 646 film schools around the world.

‘First Summer’, the first Korean film to win first place in the ‘La Cineph’ category, is a 30-minute short film made by Director Huh as a graduation project for the 41st class of the Korean Academy of Film Arts(KAFA).It tells the story of Yeongsun, an elderly woman who wants to attend her boyfriend Haksu’s 49th memorial service instead of her granddaughter’s wedding, and it received a hot response from local filmmakers for its unconventional subject matter that directly addresses the desires of elderly women.

Director Huh’s achievement this time is all the more meaningful in a situation where the ‘Korean film crisis’ is seriously emerging as Korean feature films are not invited to competitive or non-competitive sections where they have a chance of winning the Palme d ‘Or(highest award).

After receiving the award, Director Huh said, “I dare not represent Korean cinema, but I am even more grateful that Korean cinema has borne fruit that can provide strength during difficult times.As a Korean filmmaker, I want to continue making good films.”

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon also sent a congratulatory message to Director Huh to express his congratulations and encouragement.Minister Yoo said, “‘ First Summer,’ which depicts the story of an elderly woman looking back on her life between life and death, family and love, has deeply resonated with filmmakers around the world and has shown new possibilities for Korean films.”He continued,” This award is a great achievement that gives great hope and inspiration to the Korean film industry and young filmmakers who have been struggling since COVID-19.I hope that you will continue to create wonderful works that draw sympathy from the times with your shining passion and become a new star in the Korean film industry.”


Reporter Seungmi smlee@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.