Zhou Xun, Himeno Kashun share best actor; Lee Yun Chan named best director
Iranian director Majid Majidi's "Midday Meal" won the top prize at the 31st Busan International Film Festival on Thursday.
The film took the Busan Award for best film at the closing ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center, beating out 12 other Asian titles in competition. As the winner, it becomes eligible for submission to next year’s Oscar for best international feature under new Academy rules.
Majidi, best known for "Children of Heaven" (1997), made his first visit to Korea for this year's festival. On stage, he paid tribute to his late mother, who died before filming began.
"The hero of my film is my mother, and mothers are the heroes in all our lives," he said.
He also dedicated the honor to the people of Iran, who he said were standing firm through the horrors of war, and voiced hope for a world without war.
Taiwanese filmmaker Lee Yun Chan, who competed for the festival's New Currents Award two decades ago, won best director for "To Be Ordinary."
The best actor award, which goes to two performers, was shared by Zhou Xun for Gu You's "The First Taste of Loneliness" and Himeno Kashun for Okita Shuichi's "Satoko Always."
A seven-member jury led by Chinese director Zhang Yimou picked the winners from 13 competition films. Thursday’s ceremony, hosted by actor Im Si-wan, was set to wrap up the 10-day event, with a screening of "Midday Meal" as the festival’s closing film.
moonkihoon@heraldcorp.com