IM Kwon-taek
In a coastal town in Gangwon Province, Min Ji-sook, the madam of a tearoom where prostitution is also part of the business, brings in three new waitresses: Miss Hong, who struggles with her father's hospital bills; Miss Yang, who dreams of becoming an actress; and Miss Yoon, who must support her family and even cover her college-student boyfriend's tuition. Also working there is Miss Joo, now treated as past her prime. Amid its exploration of various forms of sexual exploitation, Kim Ji-mee delivers a compellingly cool-headed performance as Min Ji-sook, a woman who is both perpetrator and victim.This is a provocative work by director Im Kwon-taek, and the first film produced by Jimi Film, the production company founded by Kim Ji-mee.
Born in 1934. After his directorial debut, Im has directed 102 films including the latest film Revivre (2014). His works include The General's Son (1990), Sopyonje (1993), and Festival (1996). He won the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival with his film Chihwaseon (2002).