omonatheydid | Thirst and Mother at Cannes International Film Festival

Two Korean films have been chosen for the official selection of the 62nd Cannes Film Festival (13 - 24 May, 2009). The films are Thirst (directed by Park Chan-wook) and Mother (directed by Bong Joon-ho).

Park Chan-wook's vampire thriller has been selected to run for best film (the prestigious Palme d’Or prize) while Bong Joon-ho's Mother will compete in the young, innovative and challenging work category.

Neither of these directors are newcomers to the Cannes Film Festival. In 2004 Park Chan-wook (who is sometimes called the Quentin Tarantino of Korea) won the festival's Grand Prix Award for his film Old Boy.

Mother is director Bong Joon-ho's third nomination following The Host (2006) and Tokyo! (2008).

Kim Hye-ja (Goong) and Won Bin (Taegukgi) stars in Mother

Mother is the story of a mentally handicapped boy who is wrongly framed for a brutal murder, and his mother’s struggles to have his name cleared.

Song Kang Ho and Kim Ok Bin in Thirst

Thirst (박쥐) is the dark bloody drama of a priest who is turned into a vampire by a blood transfusion, and the consequences of his attraction to his friend’s wife.

Director Park Chan-wook and actors Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-bin were seen at Incheon International Airport on March 13, leaving to attend the Cannes International Film Festival.