Actress Lee Hye-young is set to attend the 50th anniversary exhibition of Korean cinema master Lee Man-hee, reflecting on the legacy and footprints of his films.
From 4th to 13th, the Korean Film Archive (Director Kim Hong-jun, hereinafter referred to as 'the Archive') will hold the exhibition 'Timeless Filmmaker, Lee Man-hee: 50th Anniversary Exhibition' at the Cinema Tech KOFA located in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. This retrospective honors the 50th anniversary of director Lee Man-hee's passing and shines a light on his cinematic world, which continues to resonate even half a century after his departure.
Director Lee Man-hee expanded the horizons of Korean cinema by crossing genres through over 50 films. Each work is acclaimed not only for its completeness but also for its entertainment value, earning him accolades as a 'genius director' and as a director who embedded profound themes and philosophy within various genres. However, it is regrettable that many of his works have been lost, making them difficult to access today. In this regard, this retrospective is expected to be a valuable opportunity to rediscover a master of Korean cinema.
The Archive plans to debut the 4K restoration of '04:00 -1950-' and 'Unsung Heroes' at this exhibition and will also present special screenings of 'Assassin' and 'Midnight' in 35mm film. Special side events will include a discussion with screenwriter Baek Gyeol, who wrote the screenplay for director Lee Man-hee after 'The Mill Wheel' in 1966, as well as a cine-talk with directors Kim Ji-woon and Oh Seung-wook.
Notably, actress Lee Hye-young, who has built her unique acting world over the years, adds significance to the event as the daughter of director Lee Man-hee. On September 4, after the screening of the film 'The Return of the Incurable Marine,' she will participate in a reading event under the guidance of programmer Hwang Min-jin of Cinema Tech KOFA, sharing meaningful moments with the audience.
Like her father, director Lee Man-hee, who carved his name in the Korean film industry, Lee Hye-young is currently affirming her name on both screens and stages. Recently, Lee Hye-young received significant attention for perfectly embodying the shocking role of a female killer in the film 'The Old Woman with the Knife,' and she made a comeback to the theater in 'Hedda Gabler' after 13 years, garnering accolades from both critics and audiences.
Lee Hye-young stated, "My father was a 'man of conviction' who selflessly sacrificed himself without a moment's hesitation. Fearless, he burned bright and became 'ashes.' However, many of his works, such as 'Autumn in My Heart,' 'The Black Brews,' and 'The Market' have been lost, and it is heartbreaking that I can only infer my father's artistic world through existing works like 'Holiday,' the opening film of this exhibition."
She continued, "However, Lee Man-hee is still being completed by the living. Although the perception that black-and-white films are dull persists, many young audiences have reached out to express their anticipation for this exhibition. I hope this event will serve as an opportunity to see not only my father's films but also Korean classic films in a new light. If Korean classic films can be reinterpreted through the perspectives of younger generations, then the significance of this exhibition will deepen."
Detailed screening schedules for 'Timeless Filmmaker, Lee Man-hee: 50th Anniversary Exhibition' can be found on the Korean Film Archive's website, and admission is free.
[Photo] Provided by the Korean Film Archive and Blue Dragon Entertainment.
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