Director Heo Bum-wook, who helmed the film 'A Pig Crossing the Foot-and-Mouth Disease', has passed away at the age of 43.
On July 28, the production company of 'A Pig Crossing the Foot-and-Mouth Disease' delivered the tragic news, stating, "Director Heo Bum-wook passed away in the early morning of today, July 28, while receiving treatment following an accidental fire on July 23."
Born in 1983, the late director majored in animation directing at the Korean Academy of Film Arts. He first made his name known by winning the Grand Prize in the Feature Film category at the Holland Animation Film Festival in 2015 with his debut feature, 'Pale Faces'. Afterward, he drew attention as a rising talent in South Korea's independent animation scene, following in the footsteps of Director Yeon Sang-ho.
Director Heo was just ahead of the release of his second feature film, 'A Pig Crossing the Foot-and-Mouth Disease', scheduled for next month. The work is a hard-boiled hellish fairy tale intertwining a pig trying to become human and humans trying to become beasts. It was invited to 35 film festivals worldwide, including Annecy, Sitges, and Bucheon, and garnered high expectations by winning the Best Film award at the 50th Seoul Independent Film Festival.
A press preview was originally scheduled to be held on July 24, but it was canceled the day before. At the time, the distributor IndieStory stated on July 23, "The press and distribution preview and press conference for 'A Pig Crossing the Foot-and-Mouth Disease' have been canceled due to unavoidable circumstances." The reason was the late director's treatment for burn injuries.
Along with the tragic news of the director, the release of his posthumous work has also been temporarily postponed. IndieStory stated on July 28, "First, we feel a truly heavy heart to deliver this sudden and regrettable news to the audiences and press members who have been waiting for the release of 'A Pig Crossing the Foot-and-Mouth Disease.' We will guide you through future release schedules and related events after the bereaved family and production crew have had time to calm their hearts."
They added in tribute, "We deeply mourn the late Director Heo Bum-wook, who poured his passion into South Korean animation, and pray for the repose of the deceased."
Director Yeon Sang-ho, who paved the way for South Korean independent animation with 'The King of Pigs' and 'The Fake', sent a wreath of condolences to express his sorrow over the passing of Director Heo Bum-wook.
The mortuary for the deceased has been set up in Room Special 3 of the Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital Funeral Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The funeral procession will take place at 8:00 AM on July 30, and the burial site is the Seoul Memorial Park.
(SBS Entertainment News | Reporter Kim Ji-hye)
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