It was noted in the beginning of the 'working version' of Kim's Oriental Western which screened in Cannes earlier this year that post-production was unfinished. The film was re-edited for local audiences - adding comedic elements and some scenes with anti-Japanese independence fighters, and was released to local box office success in July.
This new international version was completed for the Toronto film festival where it world premiered.
It will make its local premiere in the Korean Panorama section at the Pusan International Film Festival which starts today. The director and stars Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun and Jung Woo-sung will be on hand for an Open Talk event.
'The international version is more compact, intense, and faster-paced,' said Kini Kim, CJ vice president of sales (US & Europe). 'It still has most of the Cannes and local versions while changing only a few scenes and some music. It hasn't changed greatly - it's the director's subtle touch that really made this literally completed version such a success at Toronto and Austin, where it won the Audience Award.'
The local version previously screened with subtitles in Australia on limited direct release by CJ, gaining word-of-mouth for the film down under.
The film is due for December release in the UK and France by Icon Pictures and ARP, respectively. It is looking at an early 2009 release in the US by IFC and in Canada by Maximum.
CJ also has in the PIFF selection Goo Goo The Cat directed by Inudou Iishin (La Maison De Himiko), Kang Woo-suk's action film Public Enemy Returns, and Chung Yoon-chul's human drama A Man Who Was Superman.
In the Asian Film Market, the company will have market premieres of period dramas Modern Boy and The Divine Weapon, romantic comedy Lost And Found, and also Public Enemy Returns.
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