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DIRECTOR CHO Geun-hyun 
CAST PARK Yong-woo, KIM Seo-hyung, LEE Yoo-young
RELEASE DATE November, 20, 2014
CONTACT M-Line Distribution
Tel. +82 2 796 2427
Fax. +82 2 796 2429
E-mail sales@mline-distribution.com

 

Late Spring is set in the post Korean War period in the 1960s, in a small quiet town where an artist’s life and love is beautifully captured through film. Before its release in Korea, it received awards through various international film festivals. Through its lyrical mise-en-scene, which is not very common lately, the film brings a new wave of emotions.
 
In post-war Korea, a genius sculptor and renowned figure in the art scene, Jun-gu (PARK Yong-woo), is diagnosed with a progressive disorder that eventually leads to total paralysis of the body. In despair, he abandons work and loses the meaning of life. His wife Jung-sook (KIM Seo-hyung) who couldn’t watch her husband perish day after day goes on a search of a model to encourage him to go back to work. Then one day, she comes across a young woman Min-kyung (LEE You-Young). Jung-sook notice at a glance that Min-kyung is the muse she’s looking for.

 

Director CHO Geun-hyun said, “This movie does not have the following three: sex, three-way relationship, and CG.” Compared with recent trend of action-filled films, Late Spring takes a slow and quiet turn. However, people who have lost hope of life can gain strength and healing through the form of arts and through each other.

 

CHO started his career as a well known production designer with films like The Concubine (2012), My Way (2011) and The Duelist (2005). With spectacular debut of 26 Years (2012) which gained 3 million admissions, director CHO is recognized for both his talent in direction and also box office success. By receiving over eight awards from international film festivals, Late Spring achieved recognition from film critics and is ready to attract the audiences.

 

What are most noticeable in the film are the actors. PARK Yong-woo who played the genius sculptor was transformed completely by the film. PARK was moved by the scenario and had a personal attachment to the character of Jun-gu.

 

"Reading the scenario, I was drawn into the story,” said KIM Seo-hyung who had a successful image transformation through the film. Director CHO took many characteristics of his mother to apply to the character in the film to show dedication and spared love.

 

New face LEE Yoo-young received the Best Actress Award from Milan International Film Festival through her film debut in Late Spring. CHO mentioned that when he saw LEE at the audition, “I could picture the image of Min-kyung’s character” and decided to cast her. Although LEE had to shoot revealing scenes as she is a nude model in the film, her exposure comes across as artistic and beautiful rather than stimulating. With her background from studying acting at the Korea National University of Arts, she became the perfect muse to bring artistic inspirations to the sculptor.

 

Late Spring adds fun to the film by the incorporation of familiar faces and unexpected appearances. Actors from CHO’s 26 Years, JIN Goo, HAN Hye-jin, LIM Seul-ong, and Bae Soo-bin make special cameo appearances in this film.

 

 

What CHO Geun-hyun took special note of for Late Spring is the set. To express the beauty of nature and its surroundings of 1960s Korea, he went through a difficult research process. The beautiful cabin workshop where Jun-gu works on his sculptures was a set built in front of a reservoir in Jin-an of North Jeolla Province. The cabin was half on ground and half floating on water and even the smallest details came from the architectural styles of the 60s. Not only that, CHO hired CHO Sang-gyeong for costumes. From Korean traditional han-bok to more contemporary suits that Jun-gu wears, costumes took a big role in creating the atmosphere in Late Spring.

 

Late Spring was invited to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January for the International Competition section as a world premiere. Then in April, it was invited and won the Best Foreign Feature at the Arizona International Film Festival, followed by the Milan International Film Festival in May where it was nominated for all 8 categories of the awards. It was the first Korean film to have won the Best Film, Best Acting Performance Female, and Best Cinematography. At the Madrid International Film Festival, it also received the Best Foreign Language Feature and Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language Film. Lastly in October, the film was invited to the non-competition category’s World Focus section of the Tokyo International Film Festival. Through its film festival tours, it is easy to see that the film received the interest of many international film industries including USA, Italia, Spain, Korea and Japan.