By Lee Hyo-won
“Poetry” by Lee Chang-dong took home four prizes including Best Picture at the 47th Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Awards, Friday in Seoul. The annual event is largely regarded as the country’s equivalent to the Academy Awards.
“Poetry,” the fifth feature to be written by the novelist-turned-director and former Culture Minister, also won the Best Screenplay Award. It took the same prize at Cannes earlier this year and has drawn rave reviews for its emphatic insight into crimes and redemption. Lee won the Best Picture award for “Peppermint Candy” at the 37th edition of the Daejong Awards.
“Poetry’s” lead actress Yun Jung-hee was named Best Actress. The role marked a return to the screen after a 17-year hiatus for the 66-year-old Yun; she won the same award at the event 16 years ago for “Manmubang.”
Her co-star, veteran actor Kim Hee-ra, was awarded the Best Supporting Actor prize, which he shared with Song Sae-byeok,