| End of Winter | |
| Director: | Kim Dae-hwan |
| Producer: | Lee Im-geol |
| Screenplay: | Park Jin-soo |
| Starring: | Mun Chang-gil Lee Young-ran Kim Min-hyeuk Lee Sang-hee Hur Jae-won |
| Music: | Kang Min-kook |
| Cinematography: | Kim Bo-ram |
| Editing: | Kim Dae-hwan |
| Studio: | Tiger Cinema |
| Runtime: | 99-102 minutes |
| Country: | South Korea |
| Language: | Korean |
End of Winter is a 2014 South Korean drama film. Directed by Kim Dae-hwan in his feature debut and a project of the Graduate School of Cinematic Content at Dankook University, it explores the breakup of a family. It made its world premiere at the 19th Busan International Film Festival in 2014 and won New Currents Award.[1] [2]
Kim Sung-geun's (Mun Chang-gil) wife, two sons and daughter-in-law gather in Cheorwon for his retirement ceremony as he ends his teaching career at the Cheorwon Technical High School. While eating at a Chinese restaurant, he drops the bombshell and announces he plans to get a divorce. Without explaining his decision, it leaves his shocked wife Yoon Yeo-jung (Lee Young-ran) angry and speechless, and the family in confusion. When heavy snow prevents them from leaving, they are forced to stay at Sung-geun's apartment, leading to an uncomfortable time together as they seek shelter from the cold winter.[3] [4]
BIFF's jury head Iranian director Asghar Farhadi: "It impressed us with its stylistic consistency, its skillful exploration of family relations, its elegant mastery of cinematic space, and its great ensemble cast."[5]
"First time filmmaker Kim Dae-hwan makes an impression with a well acted and recognizable snapshot of family strife."[6]
"Kim Dae-hwan's impressive and dispassionate debut feature tackles such (trials and tribulations of family life) issues with a sensible sense of restraint through its rich but subtle aesthetic as it follows a family on the verge of turmoil after the father suddenly announces he wants a divorce."[7]
Pierce Conran: "End of Winter boasts strong performances and an admirably restrained yet intelligent mis-en-scene. However, in its resemblance to many other Korean family dramas...it will have trouble standing out from the pack."[8]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | New Currents Award | End of Winter | ||
| 2015 | Asian New Talent Award | Kim Dae-hwan | ||
| 12th Yerevan International Film Festival[9] | Silver Apricot for Feature Film | End of Winter | ||
| 9th Asia Pacific Screen Awards[10] | Best Feature Film | |||
| 2016 | Best New Director | Kim Dae-hwan | ||
| 2017 | 4th Wildflower Film Awards[11] | Best Director (Narrative Films) | Kim Dae-hwan | |
| Best New Director (Narrative Films) | Kim Dae-hwan | |||
| Best Actor | Mun Chang-gil | |||
| Best Cinematography | Kim Bo-ram |