Restored Korean New Wave Classics Return to French Theaters
In August 2026, French cinemas will showcase restored versions of Kim Jee-woon's 'The Quiet Family' (1998) and Kim Ki-duk's 'The Isle' (2000). These films are significant contributors to the South Korean New Wave, recognized for their striking aesthetics. 'The Quiet Family' blends dark comedy with horror, depicting a family whose guesthouse becomes a site of mysterious deaths, while 'The Isle' delves into themes of violence and desire set against a fishing lake backdrop. This re-release emphasizes their lasting visual influence and legacy. Kim Jee-woon, acclaimed for works like 'A Bittersweet Life' and 'The Good, the Bad, the Weird', and Kim Ki-duk, who passed away in 2020, both left impactful marks on cinema. The restorations were completed in collaboration with the filmmakers' estates and Korean film archives.
Key facts
- Two films: 'The Quiet Family' (1998) by Kim Jee-woon and 'The Isle' (2000) by Kim Ki-duk are re-released in France in restored versions.
- The re-release is scheduled for August 2026.
- The films are considered landmarks of the South Korean New Wave of the 1990s-2000s.
- 'The Quiet Family' is a dark comedy-horror about a family running a guesthouse where guests die.
- 'The Isle' is a drama set on a fishing lake, exploring violence and desire.
- The restoration was done with cooperation from the filmmakers' estates and Korean film archives.
- The re-release is part of a trend of preserving Asian cinema heritage.
- Kim Ki-duk passed away in 2020.
Entities
Artists
- Kim Jee-woon
- Kim Ki-duk
Institutions
- Le Monde
Locations
- France
- South Korea