Kino Recites Chang-dong’s ‘Poetry’

Korean dramas with an over 2 hour run time that despite winning at Cannes normally don’t find a distribution deal if you take Lee Chang-dong’s Secret Sunshine as an example, but the folks at Kino International must feel a little different about the prospects in Chang-dong’s Poetry – an equally long, Cannes winning drama with a fine female performance in full view.

In what could still be considered a Croisette deal, Kino have got themselves a slow-moving drama which thankfully doesn’t attempt to insert tear-jerk elements in what is already a rather occupied screenplay: Poetry is about an elderly woman trying to manage with the early signs of Alzheimer’s while at the same time raising a grandson without a support system in place while searching for a new meaning at the end of her life. The prize winner does take its sweet time to get from point A to point B, but the enormously satisfying ending and a subtle yet strong presence from actress in Jeong-hie Yun (who had come out of a two-decade retirement for the role) makes this a worthwhile addition to an art-house slate. Along with Binoche and the ladies from Another Year, the jury probably considered this as a Best Actress candidate. I imagine that Kino will seek out a big lieu for a North American premiere for the drama and then release the picture.