Kim Ki-duk, 52, the recipient of the Golden Lion at the 69th Venice Film Festival, was awarded the Silver Order of Cultural Merits for his contribution to the Korean cinema. Kim Ki-duk is now a master in the world film industry.  

The Venice Film Festival is one of the three major film festivals in the world, and the highest honor went to Kim Ki-duk for his movie "Pieta." In fact, "Pieta" won four awards: Golden Lion, Little Golden Lion, Golden Mouse, and Nazareno Taddei. Kim was also the winner of the Silver Lion for "3-Iron" at the 61st Venice Film Festival. His achievement with "Pieta" is a triumph in the 100-year history of the Korean cinema.  

"Pieta" is a movie that lashes out at the evils of the capitalist society. The production costs KRW 150M and took 12 days to film. Kim Ki-duk managed to create an outstanding work of art from this difficult production environment. When asked about why he only insists on low-buget, art movies, he replied, "There is no distinction between low-cost movies and commercial movies." He also pointed out that good low-budget movies will draw in a large audience if it's supported by sponsors and an effective distribution system.  

Born in North Gyeongsang Province in 1960, Kim Ki-duk moved to Seoul after finishing school and worked at industrial complexes in Guro and by Cheonggye Stream where he learned various skills. When he turned twenty, he applied to the ROK Marine Corps and completed his duty five years later. He then studied religion at a church for the visually impaired.  

"I gained new insights into life while studying religion. It was a great help to character development later on," recalled Kim.  

When he turned thirty, he left for Paris. He had never studied art in his life, but he managed to get by in France by drawing portraits for people at a seaside. It was in France that he got engrossed in movies after being deeply impressed by "Silence of the Lambs" (1991), "The Lovers on the Bridge" (1992), and "The Lover" (1992). 

Then in 1996, he debuted as a director with the movie "Crocodile." His filmography encompasses 18 pieces of work, including "Wild Animals" (1997), "Birdcage Inn" (1998), "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. . .And Spring" (2003), "3-Iron" (2004), "Arirang“ (2011), and his latest "Pieta" (2012).  

He is a self-taught filmmaker who learned art through life. The Cheonggye Stream that sets the background for "Pieta" is based on his experiences at the Cheonggye industrial complex for four years. Already, people are curious about his next work and how his career as a director will unfold from here.