South Korean director Kim Ki Duk was recently awarded the 'Golden Lion' (Leone d'Oro) for his film 'Pietà' at the 69th Venice Film Festival. The award is especially significant in that it is the first time in history a South Korean director and movie has ever been awarded the Golden Lion, which is now considered as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes.

Director Kim Ki Duk has previously won the Best Director Award at two different film festivals, one for his film 'Samaritan Girl' at the Berlin Film Festival in 2004 and another for '3-Iron' the same year at the Venice Film Festival.

'Pieta' had earlier been awarded three unofficial awards, the 'Premio Agiscuola Leoncino D'Oro', the 'Mouse D'Oro' and the 'Premio P. Nazareno Taddei' and when 'Pieta' was called for the 'Golden Lion', Kim Ki Duk walked up the stage with a bright smile on his face.

The director of the film 'Pieta', which had been receiving much of the spotlight during the 11 days of the film festival, received a standing ovation from the crowd.

During his acceptance speech, Kim Ki Duk stated, "First of all, I would like to express my thanks to all of the actors and staff members who took part in this film. Furthermore, I would like to return this honor to all those who voted for 'Pieta' at the Venice Film Festival." Following his speech the director sang the Korean traditional song 'Arirang', showing his love for his beloved home country.

The awarding of 'Pieta' with the Golden Lion award marked the end of the 69th Venice Film Festival.

Meanwhile, 'Pieta' takes the title of the Christian work of art that displays the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus Christ. The theme of the masterpiece is woven into the film as it tells the story of a brutal debt collector who's life is suddenly interrupted by a woman who claims to be his mother.

Actors Lee Jung Jin and Cho Min Soo, who play Pieta's protagonists will return to South Korea on the 11th while director Kim Ki Duk will continue on to Germany after being invited to another European Film Festival.

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