SKorea’s Pusan film festival to honor Hong Kong director Johnnie To

SKorean festival to honor HK director Johnnie To

HONG KONG — One of Asia’s top film festivals will pay tribute to veteran Hong Kong director Johnnie To, known for his stylish action thrillers like “Election” and “Exiled.”

South Korea’s Pusan International Film Festival said in a statement Friday it will show 10 of To’s films and host a master class led by the 54-year-old Hong Kong filmmaker during the Oct. 8-16 event in the southern beach resort city. Hong Kong and South Korean film critics will also take part in a panel discussion about To’s works.

To is best known for his crafty action films, but his versatile 29-year career also includes romance, comedies and lighthearted crime movies. His credits also include “Needing You,” ”Love on a Diet,” ”Running on Karma,” ”Mad Detective” and “The Sparrow.” His most recent release and first foreign-language production, “Vengeance,” stars French rock star Johnny Hallyday as an assassin who comes to Hong Kong to avenge the death of his daughter’s family.

Pusan organizers hailed the “romantic masculinity” of To’s films.

“His works also have hints of Japanese samurai films, French gangster movies and spaghetti westerns. He incorporated them into his films and created the breathtaking style of ‘Johnnie To film,’ which qualifies him as a true master in filmmaking,” the Pusan statement said.