Exploring the Realist World of Director Yu Hyunmok

Korean Film Archive Centennial Exhibition: "Era, Genre, Practice"
"Critical Awareness and Experimentation with Cinematic Language Remain Relevant Today"

A multifaceted exploration of director Yu Hyunmok's world of realism cinema will unfold.

The Korean Film Archive announced on the 11th that it will hold a special exhibition titled "Yu Hyunmok Centennial: Era, Genre, Practice" from June 26 to July 5. The program will feature not only Yu's most celebrated works but also lesser-known comedies, children's films, and experimental movies.

Director Yu was a cineaste who led the golden age of Korean cinema in the 1960s. Through works such as "Obaltan" (1961), he bore witness to the era by directly confronting the realities and ethics of contemporary Korean society. He also left a remarkable legacy as an educator and producer. The Korean Film Archive stated, "His critical perspective and experimentation with cinematic language resonate not only with his own time but remain relevant today."

The retrospective will feature the first-ever domestic screening of "Im Kkeokjeong" (1961), discovered at the U.S. Library of Congress in 2022. Based on the novel of the same name by Hong Myunghee, this historical drama will be presented in 4K following digital restoration of the unearthed 35mm English-subtitled print.

"Martyr" (1965), which was recently digitized, will also make its debut. The film addresses themes of conviction and salvation through the narrative of Christian persecution and martyrdom, encapsulating Yu's worldview and formal experimentation.

The Korean Film Archive will screen a total of eighteen films, including these two works. Among them, four titles?"Bunryegi" (1971), "Forever With You" (1958), "Shall I Give You Everything?" (1968), and "Sea Anemone" (1994)?will be shown on 35mm film. Admission is free.