Maverick Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk, popular for Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring, Moebius, Pieta,3-Iron and Amen among others, reportedly passed away after contracting COVID-19 in Latvia, according to reports from the Baltic nation. He was 59.
Kim Ki-duk, one of the finest Korean movie directors with over 20 movies to his credit, was in the country to buy property there, Latvian media reported. He had arrived in the country on November 20.
As he failed to show up for the scheduled meetings, his friends started searching for him, including in hospitals. According to media reports, he passed away due to complications related to COVID-19, on Friday.
The director's interpreter Daria Krutova too reportedly confirmed the death. However, the South Korean embassy in Latvia hasn't yet commented on the reports.
Kim Ki-duk has a large fan following in India, especially in Kerala where his movies are regularly screened at film festivals.
Born on December 20, 1960 in North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea, Kim Ki-duk had studied fine arts in France from 1990 to 1993 before returning to South Korea.
He made his directorial debut with Crocodile in 1996. Kim Ki-duk was catapulted to international recognition with The Isle, which was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Kim Ki-duk received several awards at major film festivals, including the award for best director at 61st Venice International Film Festival for 3-Iron and Un Certain Regard prize at 2011 Cannes Film Festival for Arirang.
His 2004 movie Spring, Summer, Fall,Winter... and Spring is featured among renowned movie critic Roger Ebert's list of 'Great Movies'.