February 17, 2007 (Saturday) 7:00 p.m.
Adroit College, Conference Room
1010 Corporation Way, Palo Alto
Director Im Kwon Taek is regarded by many as the father of modern Korean Cinema and certainly the first Korean director to receive global critical acclaim. With around a hundred films to his credit, in a career spanning over four decades, Im has crafted some of Korea’s most revered and successful films. Chunhyang received its World Premiere at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Korean film to ever to be selected for the official competition.
Based on a classic Korean tale, Chunhyang tells the story of a privileged governor’s son, Mongryong (Cho Seung Woo – Marathon), who falls in love with the beautiful Chunhyang (Lee Hyo Jung), the daughter of a proud former courtesan. The two fall in love and marry in secret. Soon afterwards, Mongryong is ordered back to Seoul to complete his schooling. He leaves his betrothed reluctantly, promising to return as soon as he has completed his studies. However, while he is away the evil and vindictive governor takes an instant liking to Chunhyang. When she refuses his advances, the governor imprisons her and sentences her to death. Chunhyang’s only hope is that Mongryong will return from Seoul in time to save her. Like with his classic film Sopyonje, Im again employs the ancient Korean tradition of pansori to retell this classic story. The effects are dazzling and Chunhyang helped introduce a new wave of Korean cinema to the rest of the world.
*Reservation is required due to the limited seats. Please reply by February 15.(408-716-8443, info@adroitcollege.org)
*Korean snacks and teas are provided.