Renowned South Korean film director Kim Ki-duk, famous for his disturbing and controversial art-house films, has passed away after having tested positive for COVID-19, according to reports. He was 59.
Kim had travelled to the Latvian capital of Riga when he developed health complications, according to the Korean Herald.
A regular winner at the international circuit – including the hallowed trio of Berlin, Venice and Cannes film festivals – Kim’s most well known films include Arirang, The Isle, 3-Iron, Samaritan Girl, Pietà, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter… and Spring and One on One. He is the only Korean director to have won the top prize at the above three European film festivals.
In December 2017, a female actor had accused the director of physical and sexual abuse while shooting his 2013 film Moebius, claiming that he beat her and forced her into unscripted, unwanted sex and nude scenes.
By March 2018, two more actors had levelled multiple accusations of rape, assault and sexually predatory behaviour against Kim, according to The Guardian. Since then, he had largely shunned public appearances.
