Chihwaseon Details

Im Kwon-taek shared the director's prize at Cannes for this stately study of Jang Seung-up, the self-taught peasant who became Oh-won, the most important Korean artist of the late-19th century. Choi Min-sik gives a burly performance as the bibulous, womanising non-conformist who embraced external influences, supported the outlawed reform party, loved a persecuted Catholic and defied dignitaries and monarchs alike. Handsomely mounted and packed with incident and transient characters, this is complex and compelling. But the real fascination lies in watching Oh-won's breathtaking imagery take shape on the fragile roll paper, particularly when the black outlines are emblazoned with dramatic colour. ”

Im's deceptively effortless follow-up to Chunhyang is a racy, frequently funny and finally rather moving semi-fictional... read more on Time Out