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Plot
Hye-ja (Kim Hye-Ja) is a long ago widowed mother who lives alone with her only son Do-jun (Won Bin). Although Do-jun is 28 years old, his mental capacity is far below someone his age and perhaps the reason for his many eccentric personality traits.
Late one night, Do-jun leaves a bar drunk and walks home. Along the way home, he follows a school girl down an alley, before a huge rock thrown his way chases him away. When he arrives home, Do-jun sleeps on the floor next to his mother like he always does.
The next day the police discover a murdered high school girl and a golf ball with Do-jun's name inscribed on it near the crime scene. With only this small bit of evidence, Do-jun is taken into custody and promptly arrested for her murder. His defense attorney looks for a quick plea bargain - which would require Do-jun to spend four years in detention - which isn't an option for Hye-ja and her only son. Faced with no other options, Hye-ja takes the initiative to prove her son's innocence.
Notes
- Screenplay for "Mother" was written specifically with veteran actress Kim Hye-Ja in mind and her character is named "Hye-ja" accordingly.
- As of November 10, 2008 "Mother" has completed approximately 20% of its filming. The movie has already sold distribution rights to Diaphana Films in France (previously released Secret Sunshine in 65 theatres in France) and Bitters End in Japan.
- "Mother" opened #1 at the South Korean box office selling 808,898 tickets on 756 screens (43.8% of all ticket sales) during its opening weekend (May 29 - May 31).
- Through its South Korean theatrical run "Mother" sold a total of 3 million tickets (grossing 19.9 billion ₩) & staying in the top ten for 6 consecutive weeks.
- "Mother" was chosen as Korea's submission to compete for the Best Foreign Language Film in the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010. The other candidates were "A Frozen Flower," "Thirst," "Breathless," "Old Partner," and "Lifting King Kong."
- On August 31st, 2009 Magnolia Pictures announced it has acquired North American distribution rights for "Mother".
- "Mother" opened theatrically for the first time outside of Korea on October 31st, 2009. For it's first week of release, "Mother" will play on 45 screens with expansion expected if reception is strong. "Mother" also held its Japanese premiere on October 27th, in Shinjuku, which was attended by first lady Miyuki Hatoyama - the wife of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
- "Mother" screened at the 2014 (19th) Busan International Film Festival in a black & white version.
Cast
Additional Cast Members:
Trailers
Image Gallery
Film Festivals
- 2009 (62nd) Cannes Film Festival - May 13-24, 2009 - Un Certain Regard *World Premiere
- 2009 (34th) Toronto International Film Festival - September 10-19, 2009 - Special Presentations
- 2009 (28th) Vancouver International Film Festival - October 1-16, 2009 - Dragons and Tigers
- 2009 (14th) Pusan International Film Festival - October 8-16, 2009 - Korean Cinema Today - Panorama
- 2009 (29th) Hawaii International Film Festival - October 15-25, 2009 - Opening Night/Spotlight on Korea
- 2009 (6th) Hong Kong Asian Film Festival - October 15-30, 2009
- 2009 (24th) Mar del Plata Film Festival - November 7-15, 2009 - International Competition
- 2010 (39th) International Film Festival Rotterdam - January 27-February 7, 2010
- 2010 (1st) Korean Film Festival in Australia - October 1-5, 2010
- 2010 (12th) Cinemanila International Film Festival - December 1-5
- 2011 (25th) Fribourg International Film Festival - March 19-26, 2011 - Panorama: The Women Who Knew Too Much
- 2014 (19th) Busan International Film Festival - Oct. 2-11, 2014 - Korean Cinema Today: Panorama
Awards
- 2009 (29th) Critics Choice Awards - October 2009
- 2009 (24th) Mar del Plata Film Festival - November 7-15, 2009
- "SIGNIS Great Award to Best Film from the International Competition"
- 2009 (3rd) Asia Pacific Screen Awards - November 26, 2009
- 2009 (30th) Blue Dragon Film Awards - December 2, 2009
- "Best Film"
- "Best Supporting Actor" (Jin Ku)
- "Best Lighting"
- 2009 (22nd) Nikkan Sports Film Awards - December 4, 2009
- 2009 (32nd) Golden Cinematography Awards - December, 2009
- "Silver Medal Cinematography"
- 2010 (4th) Asian Film Awards - March 22, 2010
- 2009 (1st) KOFRA Film Awards Ceremony - January 27, 2010
- 2010 Boston Society of Film Critics Awards - December 12, 2010
- "Best Foreign Language Film"
- 2010 (36th) Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards - December 12, 2010
- 2010 San Francisco Film Critics Circle - December 13, 2010
- "Best Foreign Language Film"
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