A loud round of applause sounded as the last Korean film ended at the Alhamra Arts Council. A Barefoot Dream by director Kim Tae-Kyun is a drama film made in 2010 and co-produced by South Korea and Japan.
The film was based on the true story of Coach Kim Sin-Hwan, who was East Timor’s ‘Hiddink’. The film was selected as the South Korean entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards. The story follows Kim Won-kang, a former soccer prospect who heads to East Timor in the search of greater opportunities. One day, he sees a group of street kids playing ball with bare feet. Thinking he can score by selling soccer shoes, he opens a sports equipment store, but realises none of the children could afford the fancy shoes or jerseys.
Despaired, he is about to close-up the store when he realises he could teach the kids how to play ball. Though they were penniless and shoe-less, they committed to compete in the International Youth Soccer Championship in Japan. The show was opened by Korean Ambassador Choi Chong Joo, who gave a short address at the function. He said the Korean and Pakistani embassies in each other’s countries were making commendable efforts to promote cultural relations between the two nations by holding such festivals, adding that this should be made into an annual event. “I wish and hope the public better understand the Korean culture, and I hope the Korean people have a greater understanding of Pakistani culture,” he said. “These cultural relations are integral for establishing a peaceful and strong relationship.” A dinner followed the function.