The film Portrait of a Beauty opens November 13, but a more significant premiere on its horizon is a possible screening at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.

According to production company Yedang Entertainment, a Cannes representative was an attendee at the recent VIP preview event, who had high praise for the film and extended an unofficial invitation to show at Cannes. Portrait of a Beauty has received acclaim for its high production values and artistic cinematography, while the story tells of the “hidden life” of famous Joseon-era artist Shin Yoon-bok. (Yes, the same Shin Yoon-bok of the drama series Painter of the Wind.)

One rep from Yedang expressed the honor of showing at Cannes, saying, “Through Portrait of a Beauty, viewed as being the most ‘Korean’ of films, I’d like to show the world the excellence of Korean cinema.”

Other Korean films with strong Cannes showings include Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy in 2006 and Lee Chang-dong’s Secret Sunshine in 2007, for which lead actress Jeon Do-yeon was also named Best Actress. Portrait of a Beauty may join those illustrious ranks, but only if that “unofficial” invitation turns official. Let’s hope they don’t have to do a lot of embarrassed backtracking later.

Source: dramabeans