Low-budget 'Madonna' stands tall in theater opening

'Madonna' poster

Low-budget Korean movie “Madonna” has become a must-see after critical acclaim.

The movie, which opened on Thursday, has recorded a sharp rise in ticket sales despite being shown in only 64 theatres, compared with more than 1,000 screening box office No.1 “Northern Limit Line.”

“Madonna” cost 400 million won ($350,000) and was invited into the Un Certain Regard category at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival in May.

Korean media have praised the movie, saying it reminded the nation’s cinema industry of the value of diversity.

Directed by Shin Su-won, “Madonna” is about a nurse facing the greedy son of her patient, a business magnate about to die, and another female patient once nicknamed Madonna. The son wants Madonna to donate her heart to prolong his father’s life.