Yu Hyun-mok (July 2, 1925 – June 28, 2009) was a South Korean film director. Born in

Sariwon Sariwŏn () is the capital of North Hwanghae Province, North Korea. Population The city's population as of 2008 is 307,764. Administrative divisions Sariwŏn is divided into 31 ''tong'' (neighbourhoods) and 9 '' ri'' (villages): Healthcare ...

Hwanghae Hwanghae Province (''Hwanghae-do'' ) was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon era. Hwanghae was located in the northwest of Korea. The provincial capital was Haeju. The regional name for the province was Haeseo. History In 139 ...

Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...

(

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and shares borders with China and Russia to the north, at the Yalu River, Y ...

today), he made his film debut in 1956 with ''Gyocharo'' (''Crossroads''). According to the website koreanfilm.org, his 1961 film ''

Obaltan ''Obaltan'' ( ko, 오발탄, also known as ''Aimless Bullet'' and ''Stray Bullet'') is a 1960 South Korean tragedy film directed by Yu Hyun-mok. The plot is based on the novella of the same name by Yi Beomseon. It has often been called the best K ...

'' "has repeatedly been voted the best Korean film of all time in local critics' polls." Yu attended the

San Francisco International Film Festival The San Francisco International Film Festival (abbreviated as SFIFF), organized by the San Francisco Film Society, is held each spring for two weeks, presenting around 200 films from over 50 countries. The festival highlights current trends in in ...

in 1963, where ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' called ''Obaltan'' a "remarkable film", and praised Yu's " illiantly detailed camera" and the film's "probing sympathy and rich characterizations." His dedication to the intellectual side of film and interest in using film to deal with social and political issues led him to have difficulties both with box-office-oriented producers, and with Korea's military government during the 1960s and 1970s. Korean critics have said his directing style is "in the tradition of the Italian Neorealists," yet "the terms 'modernist' or 'expressionistic' rejust as applicable to his works." Besides his directing activities, he has taught film, and made a significant contribution to Korean animation by producing

Kim Cheong-gi Kim Cheong-gi (born April 4, 1941) is a South Korean director of animated, fantasy, and science fiction films. His most well known work, '' Robot Taekwon V'' (1976), is considered one of the milestones of Korean animation. With actor Shim Hyung- ...

's 1976 animated film, '' Robot Taekwon V''. A retrospective of Yu's career was held at the 4th

Pusan International Film Festival The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF, previously Pusan International Film Festival, PIFF), held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan (''also'' Pusan), South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festi ...

in 1999. Yu died from a

stroke A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...

on June 28, 2009.Yu, pioneering filmmaker, passes away
''

Korea Herald ''The Korea Herald'' is a leading English-language daily newspaper founded in 1953 and published in Seoul, South Korea. The editorial staff is composed of Korean and international writers and editors, with additional news coverage drawn from int ...

'' Retrieved on 2009-06-29.

Filmography

Awards

*Blue Dragon Film Awards **Best Picture/Best Director (''Descendant of Cain'') (1968) *

Grand Bell Awards The Grand Bell Awards (), also known as the Daejong Film Awards, is an awards ceremony presented annually by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea for excellence in film in South Korea. The Grand Bell Awards retains prestige as the oldest co ...

**Best Director (''To Give Freely'') (1962) **Best Director (''Martyr'') (1965) **Best Director (''Bun-Rye's Story'') (1971) **Best Picture (''Flame'') (1975) **Honorary Director Award (1995) * Korean Film Critics Awards **Best Director (''Son of Man'') (1980) * Order of Cultural Merit, Korean government - Geumgwan (Gold Crown), 1st Class (2009) *

**Award for Artistic Contribution (2003)

References

* * *

External links

*
The Yu Hyun-mok Page
at koreanfilm.org 1925 births 2009 deaths South Korean film directors Recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit (Korea) People from Sariwon Dongguk University faculty {{SouthKorea-film-bio-stub