The Chivalry alerts are daily reports from Cannes with Chivas, Official Partner of the Cannes Film Festival. Each alert gives you an exclusive, insider’s view of the most chivalrous moment witnessed by Olivier Bassil each day at the Festival.

Lee Changdong is one of the most acclaimed directors in Asia. A member of the prestigious jury in 2009, he is back in 2010 as a selected director in the official competition. A man of talent, he is bringing values into the spotlight in his films and has referred to his nomination as a ‘great honour’.

A true modern knight, the director explores the quest for courage and strong values through the challenges met by his heroes. During the press conference in Cannes for the Poetry premiere last night, Changdong shared a few inspiring words about his philosophy: “Poetry is not just a little flower. It is the world, it is life. No matter how ugly the outside is, there is always something very beautiful inside.” In the film, the heroine, an elderly woman who is dealing with difficulties both in her family and in her life, is led to take a poetry course, which changes her outlook on the world. She starts to search for beauty in her everyday surroundings and in things she had previously ignored. As such, the film invites every viewer to look beyond the surface and to make the right choices in life.

The main character in Changdong’s film is played by Yun Junghee, a 1960s star who has performed in as many as 330 films, and has returned to the red-carpet this year. Yesterday, speaking to the media in fluent French, she impressed onlookers with her confidence and charisma.