Rookie director heads to Miami, Hong Kong fests

Rookie director Kim Joong-hyun has been invited to two international film festivals for his feature debut “Choked,” according to the film’s production house. The work will be featured at the Miami International Film Festival and the 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival.

The film was featured at last year’s BIFF and this year’s Berlinale. It tells the story of a young man whose mother suddenly disappears and leaves him a trail of debts.

“Late Autumn” director Kim Tae-yong worked with Kim Joong-hyun during the production of the film as his mentor.

Miami’s festival opened on Friday, while the Hong Kong festival kicks off on March 21. Kim will attend the Hong Kong festival.

Kim, who majored in film at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, continued his studies at the Korean Academy of Film Arts, a government affiliated film education institution. He worked as a staff member for director Kim Tae-yong’s 2006 drama “Family Ties,” and directed a feature-length documentary “Mangwondong Sicheop” in 2008 and mid-length film “Leave Me” in 2009.

“Choked” opens at CGV Daehangno on Thursday.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)