Old Partner / Wonangsori
South Korea , 2009.

Directed by: Chung-ryoul Lee
Script: Chung-ryoul Lee
Producer: Young-jae Goh
Production company: Studio Neurimbo
Cinematography: Jae-woo Ji
Editing: Chung-ryoul Lee
Music: Hoon Heo, So-yun Min

Format: video
Running time: 75'

Synopsis
In a remote, verdant valley in South Korea, old Mr. and Mrs. Lee live on a farm with their rickety ox. For forty years, the animal has served them faithfully—hauling untold firewood loads and dragging the plow through fertile fields. A gently unfolding meditation on the cycle of life, 'Old Partner' playfully and poetically tells the story of the ineffable bond between Mr. Lee and his ox as their lives wind down in tandem. Rain or shine, hunched and gnarled, Mr. Lee tills, weeds, and harvests, often crouching on all fours like the ox that never leaves his side. The camera lingering intimately on the ox’s kind eyes and creaky bones allows us to sense the depth of this sentient being’s loyalty as he carts Mr. Lee to town at a snail’s pace. In return, Mr. Lee collects special fodder by hand and refuses to spray insecticides for fear of poisoning his beloved beast.

Awards
Best Documentary Award, 12th Cinemambiente Environmental Film Festival (2009, Italy)
Cinematic Vision Award, 7th SilverDocs: AFI/Discovery Channel Doc (2009, USA)
Emerging Artist Award, 16th Hot Docs Int'l Documentary Festival (2009, Canada)
Audience Award, 34th Seoul Independent Film Festival (2008, Korea)
PIFF Mecenat Award (Best Documentary), 13th Pusan Int’l Film Festival (2008, Korea)

Directors Biography
Chung-ryoul Lee was born in Korea and graduated from Korea University. He has been working as a television-tation producer for 10 years. Old Partner is his first feature documentary, and he plans to continue working in both broadcasting and film.

Location and screening schedule:
SC Cinema, Friday, October 23rd at 17.00
Europa Cinema, Saturday, October 24th at 13.00
DOKUKINO Croatia, Saturday, October 24th at 19.00