Go Chang-yul, who went through a rebellious and anguished adolescence, decides to become a Buddhist. He receives a new name, Jung-kwang meaning ‘Mad Monk’ and tries to start a new life as a priest. He embraces women forsaken by society, drinks to ease his wounded heart, and paints with his zealous brush like a madman, always judged by the scolding eyes of society. Mad Monk claims that one has to save himself in order to save mankind. The reconciliation with the adverse past and the completion as an artist allow Jung-kwang to look at the world with merciful eyes. The eccentricity of Jung-kwang is a challenge to a society filled with cruelty and hypocrisy, and a way to save people who are lost and deserted by society. Based on Jung-kwang’s autobiographical collection of essays, Mad Monk caused a controversy within the religious world as well as the film field. Ten scenes from the film were cut out by the censorship, and Director Kim Soo-yong retired from filmmaking to protest. He made a comeback with Scent of Love in 1999 after 13 long years. In PIFF 2002, all the cut-out-scenes will be restored for the screening. (Cho Young-jung)