Song Kang-ho wins 'Excellence' award in Switzerland

Song Kang-ho/ Courtesy of Showbox

By Park Jin-hai

Veteran actor Song Kang-ho became the first Asian actor to win the Excellence Award at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland.

Referring to Song as an “eclectic, versatile, graceful actor, who has been able to conquer South Korean cinema and then access the world of international stardom,” the film festival announced Thursday that the 52-year-old Korean actor will receive the award during the annual film festival, which will be held from Aug.7 to 17.

“The Locarno Film Festival's Excellence Award goes to actors who have followed significant, courageous paths. Thus far the recipients have all been American or European, but for me it was important to open up this prize to Asian cinema,” said Lili Hinstin, artistic director of the festival in a statement.

The Excellence Award is given to personalities who, through their work and talent, have enriched cinema. Past winners include Ethan Hawke, Isabelle Huppert, Edward Norton and Juliette Binoche.

“Song might not be a household name for audiences in the West, but his face is familiar around the world. A many-faceted actor, he is a peerless interpreter of the variety and intensity of emotions generated by Korean cinema, at ease in anything from drama to hard-boiled thriller, his face and body indelibly associated with the films of directors such as Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook and Kim Jee-woon; who if not Song Kang-ho can embody in a single performance all the excellence of Korean filmmaking over the past 20 years? I am delighted that he should receive the first Excellence Award given to an Asian personality,” the festival's director said.

Born in 1967, Song debuted in Hong Sang-soo's 1996 film “The Day a Pig Fell into the Well,” In his over 20-year acting career, he has worked with many acclaimed Korean filmmakers encompassing different genres including action, thrillers, comedy and drama. Song starred in director Bong's latest film “Parasite,” which is competing for the Palme d'Or at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.

The award will be given to the actor in Piazza Grande, Aug. 12. He will participate in a panel discussion and meet movie fans the following day.