The section's jury president, Serbian director Emir Kusturica, announced the winners for best picture, Kim's "Arirang" and "Stopped On Track" by Germany's Andreas Dresen, at a glittering ceremony."Arirang", which drew a lengthy standing ovation when it screened during the 12-day event, is an emotionally raw film exercise aimed at curing a crippling bout of "director's block".

The picture shows Kim, who won prizes at Venice and Berlin for "3-Iron" and "Samaritan Girl", living in self-imposed exile and grilling himself on camera about his own perceived failings as a director and a human being.

Accepting the award, Kim sang a few bars from a melancholy folk song about the hills and valleys of life that also serves as the film's title.