Lee Chang-Dong discussed his film Poetry at a press conference following the In Competition film's screening Wednesday morning. The conference's general theme revolved around the meaning of "poetry," in the film's context as well as in Chang-Dong's personal point of view.
"Poetry is not just like a bouquet of flowers that is beautiful in itself," Chang-Dong expressed. "It is life. No matter the ugliness of the world, there's always something beautiful inside. That's what I wanted to show."
Chang-Dong's film, following an elderly woman (played by Yun Junghee) striving to recapture the beauty of life through poetry. Chang-Dong disclosed that he hoped viewers would leave the film asking themselves questions, for this is his way of communicating with and connecting to his audience.
The theme of poetry is extremely broad, and can be interpreted in endless ways. Chang-Dong welcomed his audience to interpret it for themselves, in a context which speaks to them, for this is the very nature of poetry.
When approached about his thoughts regarding the threat of cinema, Chang-Dong replied: "It is not just Korean cinema which is threatened. It's a worldwide phenomenon."
Lee Chang-Dong left much of the film to the spectators' interpretation, further reinforcing the literal nature of his film's title: Poetry.
Lauren Ellison