Kim Hye-ja named best actress at Chinese film fest

By Shin Hae-in

SEOUL, Nov. 6 (Yonhap) -- Veteran South Korean actress Kim Hye-ja was named the best foreign actress by China's Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival for her role in the mystery thriller "Mother," the film's local producer said Friday.

Kim, 68, a popular TV celebrity widely known for her on-screen persona of a
benevolent mother, surprised fans with her intense performance in the film, the
fourth feature by director Bong Joon-ho which revolves around a murder case and
obsessive maternal love. Kim was also named best actress at three domestic awards
including the Busan Film Critics' Award.
Regarded as China's most prestigious film award, the rooster and flowers festival
has been awarding and screening foreign films since 2005.
Approved by the central government, two festivals -- Hundred Flowers Film
Festival and China Golden Rooster initiated in 1962 and 1981, respectively --
were unified into one national film festival in 1992. The 18th event was held at
Nanchang, Jiangxi Province.
"Mother," which drew some 3 million viewers at home, was screened at the
non-competition section of this year's Cannes where it was praise as a "unique
noir thriller."
Sold to 12 countries including Japan, France and the United States, the movie
will hit international cinemas beginning this month.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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