Kim eager to leverage China market with movie

With many South Korean filmmakers moving to neighboring China for a wider and more lucrative market, Kim Ki-duk has become the latest big name to join the flock.

Kim, 55, recently announced in Beijing that his first Mandarin movie, Who Is God, is financed by a Chinese film studio and will recruit an all-Chinese cast. With a budget of 150 million yuan ($23.6 million), the religion-themed film plans to shoot all the scenarios in China.

A new player in the fast-moving industry, Hangzhou-based Film Carnival has signed a contract with Kim, who will also act as chief creative officer of the company.