Official selection
Compétition Officielle - Festival de Cannes 2003
Honors
Grand Prize of the Jury - Festival de Cannes 2003
Director
Park Chan-Wook
Writer
Park Chan-Wook
Cast
Choi Min-Sik, Yoo Ji-tae
contact
Métropole Films Distribution
A brutal, uncompromising neo-noir masterpiece soaked in dark humour, OLDBOY, majestically crafted by the emminent Park Chan-wook (THE HANDMAIDEN), steered the attention of film lovers towards a national cinema that still fascinates today, that of South Korea. Few films have had as much impact on the international scene as the absorbing tale of Oh Dae-su, masterfully played by Choi Min-sik (I SAW THE DEVIL), imprisoned without explanation for 15 long years before suddenly regaining his freedom, allowing him to exact his revenge. Packed with unforgettable sequences and gut-wrenching twists and turns, OLDBOY has become part of popular culture the world over.
Considered by many to be among the best-executed films in the history of the seventh art, OLDBOY played a key role in the emergence of South Korean cinema around the world. While a handful of feature films, such as SHIRI, TAKE CARE OF MY CAT, THE QUIET FAMILY and PEPPERMINT CANDY, paved the way, Park Chan-wook's masterpiece was the true green light, not only allowing his country’s film culture to consolidate its viability domestically, but also opening the doors to worldwide recognition, both critical and popular. At Cannes 2003, the jury presided over by Quentin Tarantino awarded it the Grand Jury Prize, leading OLDBOY to impressive box-office results worldwide. – Translation: Rupert Bottenberg
Showings
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