My Heart Beats (2011 Film)

My Heart Beats (Korean: 심장이 뛰네; RR: Shimjangyi Dwine) is a 2011 South Korean drama film directed by Huh Eun-Hee. The film follows the story of Yoo Jo-Ri, a 37-year-old literature professor who seeks to escape the monotony of her daily life by entering the world of adult film production.

Promotional poster for the film My Heart Beats.

Production

The film was shot over a 40-day period in July 2009 in Busan, South Korea. Director Huh Eun-Hee has stated that the narrative was inspired by her own experiences working in the adult film industry while studying in the United States, and that the protagonist, Yoo Jo-Ri, was based on a personal acquaintance. According to the director, a significant portion of the story is based on non-fiction.

Cast

Yoo Dong-Sook as Yoo Jo-Ri
Won Tae-Hee as Byul
Kang Suk-Ho
Ahn Sung-Kwon
Ahn Sung-Gun as Cha Myung-Chul
Cha Mi-Kyung as a female professor

Reception and Festivals

My Heart Beats was screened at several international film festivals, including the 2010 Sao Paulo International Film Festival and the 2010 International Rome Film Festival. It held its Asian premiere at the 15th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in July 2011.

Cast and director at the 2011 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival Q&A session — Director Huh Eun-Hee and cast members at the 2011 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Legacy of Lead Actress

The film's lead actress, Yoo Dong-Sook, died on November 11, 2010, in a Seoul hospital due to complications from the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. She had recently returned to South Korea on October 31, 2010, after traveling to Italy to promote the film at the International Rome Film Festival, where she began displaying symptoms of the virus.