UPCOMING FILMS
(Film Business Asia, November 7, 2012)
(Variety, November 5, 2012)
(Film Business Asia, November 8, 2012)
(Variety, November 3, 2012)
Showing posts with label london korean film festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label london korean film festival. Show all posts
Friday, November 9, 2012
WKR: LKFF, More BIFF and In Another Country's US Bow (11/03-11/09, 2012)
Reviews are still trickling in from Busan along with a wealth content from the currently underway London Korean Film Festival. Also of note is the release of In Another Country in the US
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Korean Cinema News (11/10-11/16, 2011)
Another huge amount of news this week including some great features from Korean Cinema Today which among other things broke news regarding the start of production on Bong Joon-ho's much anticipated Snow Piercer. Lots of great features but also a perplexing one from The Guardian which I discussed in the comments with its author. Also lots of new trailers including a bombastic one for the upcoming My Way.
Arirang and The Yellow Sea play at Mar del Plata
Argentina’s Mar del Plata International Film Festival is screening Korean films Arirang, directed by Kim Ki-duk, and The Yellow Sea, directed by Na Hong-jin during its 26th edition, Nov. 5 – 13. (KOBIZ, November 8, 2011)
Asiana International Short Film Festival closes with Promise
The 9th Asiana International Short Film Festival closed Monday, Nov. 7 after a six-day run with Jero Yun’s fiction short Promise winning the best film award. At the Closing ceremony, Festival Director Ahn Sung-ki and jury head Kang Soo-yeon, both veteran Korean actors, were joined by jury members director Inudo Isshin from Japan, director Kim Tae-yong from Korea, Sarah Hoch Delong, founder and Executive Director of the Guanajuato International Film Festival, and Tono Seigo, Festival Director of the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. (KOBIZ, November 8, 2011)
YesAsia Sponsors the Fantastic Asia Film Festival in Australia
Injunction to Ban You Pet Dismissed
KOREAN CINEMA NEWS
Arirang and The Yellow Sea play at Mar del Plata
Argentina’s Mar del Plata International Film Festival is screening Korean films Arirang, directed by Kim Ki-duk, and The Yellow Sea, directed by Na Hong-jin during its 26th edition, Nov. 5 – 13. (KOBIZ, November 8, 2011)
Asiana International Short Film Festival closes with Promise
The 9th Asiana International Short Film Festival closed Monday, Nov. 7 after a six-day run with Jero Yun’s fiction short Promise winning the best film award. At the Closing ceremony, Festival Director Ahn Sung-ki and jury head Kang Soo-yeon, both veteran Korean actors, were joined by jury members director Inudo Isshin from Japan, director Kim Tae-yong from Korea, Sarah Hoch Delong, founder and Executive Director of the Guanajuato International Film Festival, and Tono Seigo, Festival Director of the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. (KOBIZ, November 8, 2011)
YesAsia Sponsors the Fantastic Asia Film Festival in Australia
Leading online retailer YesAsia.com is a premier sponsor of the Fantastic Asia Film Festival (FAFF) which runs from November 10 to 13 at the Cinema Nova in Melbourne, Australia. In cooperation with distribution and production company Monster Pictures, the inaugural event brings a diverse and interesting mix of Asian genre films from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China and the Philippines to film enthusiasts in Australia. (prurgent.com, November 9, 2011)
Korean Agent Gets Remake Treatment From UTV
Indian entertainment giant UTV Motion Pictures is to make an official Hindi-language remake of South Korean hit My Girlfriend is an Agent (2009). The new film, which will retain the English title, will be produced by director Imtiaz Ali and his wife Preety Ali under their new PI Films label. Choreographer Bosco will direct. (Film Business Asia, November 10, 2011)
Punch VS A Reason to Live - Why did Yoo Ah-in laugh and Song Hye-kyo cry?
Song Hye-kyo's movie A Reason to Live is on the verge of disappearing. The accumulated number of admissions as of today November 9th is 58,877, showing very slow progress. This movie was greatly looked forward to as it was being directed by Lee Jeong-hyang, who returned nine years after the 4 million-plus admission box office hit The Way Home (2002) and the cast included Song Hye-kyo. However, as soon as it came out, it was ignored by audiences and isn't showing any signs of doing better even after two weeks in release. (hancinema.net, November 9, 2011)
First Images From Choi Min-sik Starring Thriller Nameless Gangster
Korean Agent Gets Remake Treatment From UTV
Indian entertainment giant UTV Motion Pictures is to make an official Hindi-language remake of South Korean hit My Girlfriend is an Agent (2009). The new film, which will retain the English title, will be produced by director Imtiaz Ali and his wife Preety Ali under their new PI Films label. Choreographer Bosco will direct. (Film Business Asia, November 10, 2011)
Song Hye-kyo's movie A Reason to Live is on the verge of disappearing. The accumulated number of admissions as of today November 9th is 58,877, showing very slow progress. This movie was greatly looked forward to as it was being directed by Lee Jeong-hyang, who returned nine years after the 4 million-plus admission box office hit The Way Home (2002) and the cast included Song Hye-kyo. However, as soon as it came out, it was ignored by audiences and isn't showing any signs of doing better even after two weeks in release. (hancinema.net, November 9, 2011)
The simple fact that Choi stars in this is reason to pay attention. Not only is he a fabulously talented actor but he is also extremely selective about his roles, making very few missteps along the way. And when the first images look as good as those in the gallery below ... well, all the better. (Twitch, November 9, 2011)
New Stills for the Upcoming Korean Movie My Way
My Way, directed by Jang Je-gyu and starring Jang Dong-gun, was formerly known as D-Day. My Way is a co-production between South Korea and the USA. (hancinema.net, November 9, 2011)
Korean Wave Rises to China Challenge
Very little is known of the personal life of Chinese President Hu Jintao, but we do know that he likes paper-cutting and cycling. And that he is a fan of Korean costume dramas. China's deeply private head of state has gone on record to say that he is a fan of the blockbuster soap opera Jewel in the Palace, and is one of millions of fans of Korean movies and TV in the world's most populous nation. (Korean Cinema Today, November 1, 2011)
Korean Crews in China
Films from Greater China increasingly employ technical specialists from Korea - Kim Seong-hoon reports. For a long time, the film industry has evolved according to emergences of new technology and this has meant new opportunities for those working in the field. We all know how when “talkies” were invented, many silent movie actors lost their jobs and at the same time, many other people found work as synchronized sound technicians and post-sync supervisors. (Korean Cinema Today, November 8, 2011)
South Korean Documentary Arirang Wins BIFFDOCS
Renowned South Korean arthouse filmmaker Kim Ki-duk has won BIFFDOCS, Australia’s richest documentary award. Ki-duk’s entry Arirang beat 19 films from around the world to win the top prize of $25 000, including Queensland-produced documentary, The Trouble With St Mary’s, which received a $35 000 documentary production investment from Screen Queensland in 2009-10. (if.com.au, November 11, 2011)
Bong Joon-ho Opens Busan West Festival at Chapman University with 3D Version of The Host
Korean Films at the 13th Cinemanila International Film Festival
New Stills for the Upcoming Korean Movie My Way
My Way, directed by Jang Je-gyu and starring Jang Dong-gun, was formerly known as D-Day. My Way is a co-production between South Korea and the USA. (hancinema.net, November 9, 2011)
Actress Son Ye-jin is planning on debuting in the Chinese film market...before it gets too late! After making her big screen comeback with Lee Min-gi in the movie Chilling Romance, Son revealed on a recent interview with OSEN that she's currently eyeing out the Chinese movie scene. (KBS, November 9, 2011)
Four Leading Korean Directors Working on Overseas Projects
Four Leading Korean Directors Working on Overseas Projects
The year 2012 looks like it will see an unprecedented rush of Korean directors working on foreign projects. This phenomenon seems similar to the situation back in the late 1990s when Hong Kong directors John Woo, Ringo Lam, Tsui Hark, Kirk Wong and Ronny Yu all directed films produced in Hollywood. What’s different is that whereas they were inclined to make films only in Hong Kong’s specialty genre – the action film, their Korean counterparts are expected to make films that will retains the directors’ varying styles and sensibilities. (Korean Cinema Today, November 9, 2011)
Korean Wave Rises to China Challenge
Very little is known of the personal life of Chinese President Hu Jintao, but we do know that he likes paper-cutting and cycling. And that he is a fan of Korean costume dramas. China's deeply private head of state has gone on record to say that he is a fan of the blockbuster soap opera Jewel in the Palace, and is one of millions of fans of Korean movies and TV in the world's most populous nation. (Korean Cinema Today, November 1, 2011)
Korean Crews in China
Films from Greater China increasingly employ technical specialists from Korea - Kim Seong-hoon reports. For a long time, the film industry has evolved according to emergences of new technology and this has meant new opportunities for those working in the field. We all know how when “talkies” were invented, many silent movie actors lost their jobs and at the same time, many other people found work as synchronized sound technicians and post-sync supervisors. (Korean Cinema Today, November 8, 2011)
South Korean Documentary Arirang Wins BIFFDOCS
Renowned South Korean arthouse filmmaker Kim Ki-duk has won BIFFDOCS, Australia’s richest documentary award. Ki-duk’s entry Arirang beat 19 films from around the world to win the top prize of $25 000, including Queensland-produced documentary, The Trouble With St Mary’s, which received a $35 000 documentary production investment from Screen Queensland in 2009-10. (if.com.au, November 11, 2011)
Bong Joon-ho Opens Busan West Festival at Chapman University with 3D Version of The Host
Growing up in South Korea, Bong Joon-ho developed a love of American science fiction movies thanks to the Armed Forces Network. Now, the acclaimed filmmaker and the new 3D version of The Host (2006), Bong's 2006 valentine to American creature features, come to Orange Friday to open the Busan West Asian Film Festival at Chapman University. (OC Weekly, November 9, 2011)
Korean Films at the 13th Cinemanila International Film Festival
Another special Cinemanila section this year is “Focus on Korea,” which highlights the movies of acclaimed Korean filmmakers like Boo Ji-Young. Mr. Aguiluz said Mr. Young will arrive in the country to present his film A Time to Love during the festival. (Business World, November 10, 2011)
Filmmakers Lynn Lee and James Leong of Lianain Films gained unprecedented access to the Pyongyang’s main film academy for an exceptionally well observed documentary piece. (North Korean Films, November 2, 2011)
The fine folks at Koryo Tours have given us a bit of advanced notice about the Pyongyang International Film Festival 2012. It’ll be a great chance to not only see some of the best North Korean films of recent years but also a chance for North Koreans to experience some Western releases. (North Korean Films, October 22, 2011)
Buyers Take Aim for Lotte's War of the Arrows
Korean box-office hit has sold to US, UK, German-Speaking Europe, Taiwan, Singapore and elsewhere. Korean studio Lotte Entertainment has closed a number of deals on its local box-office smash The War of the Arrows. (Screen Daily, November 4, 2011)
Buyers Take Aim for Lotte's War of the Arrows
Korean box-office hit has sold to US, UK, German-Speaking Europe, Taiwan, Singapore and elsewhere. Korean studio Lotte Entertainment has closed a number of deals on its local box-office smash The War of the Arrows. (Screen Daily, November 4, 2011)
North Korean propaganda website Uriminzokkiri has lambasted the inaugural two-day North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival, scheduled to be held this Thursday and Friday at a Seoul university theater. (Daily NK, November 7, 2011)
An Up-to-Date Look at the Korean 3D Content Industry and 3D Imaging Technology!
An Up-to-Date Look at the Korean 3D Content Industry and 3D Imaging Technology!
To briefly talk about the present condition of the Korean 3D industry, much of the content is produced under the support of government-affiliated organizations related to cultural contents, and there are not many that are being produced by actual media content producers. However, the fact that there is education regarding 3D image available for people, along with the support for production, presents much better conditions than neighboring Japan, where there is no government support for the 3D content industry. (Advanced Technology Korea, October 4, 2011)
War of the Arrows – Causing Death and Saving Lives
War of the Arrows – Causing Death and Saving Lives
The opening gala of the London Korean Film Festival was a more rambunctious affair than I remember even last year’s being, due in no small part to the sudden and unexpected entrance of SHINee (I was lucky enough to be two rows behind them, but many who had specially booked seats I gather were incandescent to have been re-seated!). (London Korea Links, November 14, 2011)
The male solidarity's injunction to ban the movie You Pet has been dismissed. The male solidarity requested the banning of the movie You Pet, saying it was insulting to men. (hancinema.net, November 13, 2011)
S. Korean Film Festival Begins in Kathmandu
The Korean craze amongst the Nepalis, especially the youngsters, is a common scenario these days. Films are one way to express the culture, life, human relations, religion and values of a particular country. One can get an idea about a particular country from a film, which one may not get from reading dozens of books. (The Seoul Times, November 13, 2011)
Jeonju to Meet Increased Demand with New Soundstage
Yonhap News Agency reports that the home city of the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) is planning to build more special studio space in the Jeonju Cinema Studio by July 2012. The new space will be comprised of a 795㎡ soundstage along with 560㎡ of attached facilities including a make-up room. (KOBIZ, November 11, 2011)
S. Korean Film Festival Begins in Kathmandu
The Korean craze amongst the Nepalis, especially the youngsters, is a common scenario these days. Films are one way to express the culture, life, human relations, religion and values of a particular country. One can get an idea about a particular country from a film, which one may not get from reading dozens of books. (The Seoul Times, November 13, 2011)
Top star Lee Byeong-Heon is attempting a historical drama for the fist time in his acting career. He has recently confirmed as a cast member for King of Chosun. This will be directed by Choo Chang-min and not Kang Woo-seok, who was initially supposed to direct this movie. (hancinema.net, November 13, 2011)
Korean Cinema: Local Film Industry Goes Global
Korea is the 10th largest movie market in the world and is endeavoring to meet global standards. Not only have veterans such as Im Kwon-taek, Kim Ki-duk and Hong Sang-soo made a name in arthouse films, but blockbuster hits appearing from Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho and more. (Korea Magazine, November 2011)
Bong Joon-ho's Snow Piercer Rumbles to Life
Korean Cinema: Local Film Industry Goes Global
Korea is the 10th largest movie market in the world and is endeavoring to meet global standards. Not only have veterans such as Im Kwon-taek, Kim Ki-duk and Hong Sang-soo made a name in arthouse films, but blockbuster hits appearing from Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho and more. (Korea Magazine, November 2011)
Bong Joon-ho's Snow Piercer Rumbles to Life
It was all the way back in 2006 when Korea's Bong Joon-ho first spoke about his planned big screen adaptation of French graphic novel Snow Piercer (Le Transperceneige). With Bong riding high from the massive success of the The Host (2006) and with Oldboy (2003) director Park Chan-wook on board as a producer it seemed certain that this one would be up and running quickly. That proved not to be the case. (Twitch, November 15, 2011)
Do South Koreans Actually Love Film?
Do South Koreans Actually Love Film?
In the noughties, South Korea earned itself a reputation as the new hotspot for cinephiles. A cultural explosion followed the end of military rule in 1987: on the cinema front, film festivals and magazines sprung up to feed the new curiosity. Attendance more than doubled between 2000 and 2006, when it stood at 153m admissions a year (comparable to Britain's, with a smaller population). (The Guardian, November 15, 2011)
Actors Ha Jeong-woo, Han Seok-Kyu and Ryoo Seung-beom will meet in director Ryoo Seung-hwan's 10-billion won project. The Berlin File, by director Ryoo Seung-hwan, is a spy story based in Berlin, Germany about a man who infiltrates a South Korean organization and gets left behind in North Korea. (hancinema.net, November 15, 2011)
In conjunction with the exhibition “Korean Eye”, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York presents “Unbridled Energy: Korean Animation”, a program that showcases the breadth and diversity of contemporary creativity in this Asian nation. The series runs from December 2 to December 16, 2011 at MAD (2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019). (scifijapan.com, November 13, 2011)
LKFF: Why Dachimawa Lee is Thoroughly Groovy, and Why I’m Becoming a Fan of Ryu Seung-wan
LKFF: Why Dachimawa Lee is Thoroughly Groovy, and Why I’m Becoming a Fan of Ryu Seung-wan
I have to confess that when I heard that Ryu Seung-wan was to be the featured director, my reaction was lukewarm. Of the films I had already seen, the silliness of Arahan (2004) did not endear the film to me, while seeing Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Hye-hyoung severely thrashed turned me off No Blood No Tears (2002). I had tried hard to like City of Violence (2006) and only succeeded on the third watching. (London Korea Links, November 15, 2011)
Honorary Busan Fest Chief Kim Dong-ho to Make Directorial Debut
Honorary Festival Director of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Kim Dong-ho is set to make his short film directorial debut with the Opening Film for next year’s Asiana International Film Festival (AISFF). Yonhap News Agency reports AISFF has revealed that Kim will be directing the short film for the festival’s 10th anniversary edition. (KOBIZ, November 15, 2011)
Honorary Busan Fest Chief Kim Dong-ho to Make Directorial Debut
Honorary Festival Director of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Kim Dong-ho is set to make his short film directorial debut with the Opening Film for next year’s Asiana International Film Festival (AISFF). Yonhap News Agency reports AISFF has revealed that Kim will be directing the short film for the festival’s 10th anniversary edition. (KOBIZ, November 15, 2011)
Jeonju to Meet Increased Demand with New Soundstage
Yonhap News Agency reports that the home city of the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) is planning to build more special studio space in the Jeonju Cinema Studio by July 2012. The new space will be comprised of a 795㎡ soundstage along with 560㎡ of attached facilities including a make-up room. (KOBIZ, November 11, 2011)
Choi Equan Appointed Head of KAFA
Chairman KIM Eui-suk of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) appointed film director Choi Equan as the new head of the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) on Nov. 10 in Seoul. Established in 1984, KAFA has played a leading role in producing some of contemporary Korean cinema’s major filmmakers. Kim Eui-suk was actually one of the first graduates of KAFA before he directed the seminal hit Marriage Story (1992). (KOBIZ, November 10, 2011)
Chairman KIM Eui-suk of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) appointed film director Choi Equan as the new head of the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) on Nov. 10 in Seoul. Established in 1984, KAFA has played a leading role in producing some of contemporary Korean cinema’s major filmmakers. Kim Eui-suk was actually one of the first graduates of KAFA before he directed the seminal hit Marriage Story (1992). (KOBIZ, November 10, 2011)
After holding special screenings in support of The Front Line, South Korea’s submission to the Academy Awards best foreign language film category nominations, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has announced it saw a strong turnout and positive reactions. About 500 industry professionals including members of the press from LA Times, Variety and the Hollywood Foreign Press attended the screenings. (KOBIZ, November 10, 2011)
Bong Joon-ho Gives Lecture at Chapman University
Bong Joon-ho Gives Lecture at Chapman University
Film director Bong Joon-ho appeared at Chapman University in Orange County, California on Saturday (local time) to give a master class as part of the Busan West Asian Film Festival hosted by the university's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. (The Chosun Ilbo, November 15, 2011)
Only Second Time Around, but Korean Cinema is Definitely Down Under
South Korea and Australia are celebrating the last stretch of their Year of Friendship, with this year marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, bringing more attention to the second annual Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA). (Yonhap News Agency, November 7, 2011)
Poetry UK Blu-ray Detailed
Independent British distributors Arrow Films have officially announced that they will release on Blu-ray Korean director Lee Chang-dong's Shi a.k.a Poetry (2010), starring Yun Jung-hee and Lee David. Last year, the film won Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Street date is Novemver 28th. (Blu-ray.com, November 12, 2011)
Ryoo Seung-hwan Speaks About his New Movie The Berlin File
Korean Cinema News is a weekly feature which provides wide-ranging news coverage on Korean cinema, including but not limited to: features; festival news; interviews; industry news; trailers; posters; and box office. It appears every Wednesday morning (GMT+1) on Modern Korean Cinema. For other weekly features, take a look at the Korean Box Office Update and the Weekly Review Round-up. Reviews and features on Korean film also appear regularly on the site.
To keep up with the best in Korean film you can sign up to our RSS Feed, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Only Second Time Around, but Korean Cinema is Definitely Down Under
South Korea and Australia are celebrating the last stretch of their Year of Friendship, with this year marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, bringing more attention to the second annual Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA). (Yonhap News Agency, November 7, 2011)
Poetry UK Blu-ray Detailed
Independent British distributors Arrow Films have officially announced that they will release on Blu-ray Korean director Lee Chang-dong's Shi a.k.a Poetry (2010), starring Yun Jung-hee and Lee David. Last year, the film won Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Street date is Novemver 28th. (Blu-ray.com, November 12, 2011)
Ryoo Seung-hwan Speaks About his New Movie The Berlin File
Director Ryoo Seung-hwan spoke about his next coming movie The Berlin File known to be a 10 billion won blockbuster. He appeared as the final lecturer in a lecturing event that was held in the LIG Art Hall on the 11th. His upcoming movie The Berlin File has been an issue and movie fans have been very interested. (hancinema.net, November 11, 2011)
KOFIC Chairman Kim Eui-suk
Korean Film Council (KOFIC) Chairman Kim Eui-suk talks to Kim Seong-hoon about promoting Korean cinema internationally. With his background as a filmmaker whose credits include the seminal hit Marriage Story (1992) and the period martial arts film Sword in the Moon (2003), Kim Eui-suk also spent seven years nurturing the next generation of filmmakers as a professor at the Korean Film Academy of Arts (KAFA), five years as a member the organizing committee of the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF), and then time as KOFIC Vice Chairman and Acting Chairman before he was name Chairman in March 2011. (Korean Cinema Today, November 4, 2011)
Acclaimed Director Pushing Back NKHR Envelope
The North Korea Human Rights International Film Festival (NKHRIFF), which opens this afternoon, is attracting domestic attention for its attempt to blend North Korean human rights-and film. Optimists hope that the festival can turn North Korean human rights into a real social issue, using the silver screen to nag at viewer consciences. (Daily NK, November 10, 2011)
INTERVIEWS
KOFIC Chairman Kim Eui-suk
Korean Film Council (KOFIC) Chairman Kim Eui-suk talks to Kim Seong-hoon about promoting Korean cinema internationally. With his background as a filmmaker whose credits include the seminal hit Marriage Story (1992) and the period martial arts film Sword in the Moon (2003), Kim Eui-suk also spent seven years nurturing the next generation of filmmakers as a professor at the Korean Film Academy of Arts (KAFA), five years as a member the organizing committee of the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF), and then time as KOFIC Vice Chairman and Acting Chairman before he was name Chairman in March 2011. (Korean Cinema Today, November 4, 2011)
Acclaimed Director Pushing Back NKHR Envelope
The North Korea Human Rights International Film Festival (NKHRIFF), which opens this afternoon, is attracting domestic attention for its attempt to blend North Korean human rights-and film. Optimists hope that the festival can turn North Korean human rights into a real social issue, using the silver screen to nag at viewer consciences. (Daily NK, November 10, 2011)
TRAILERS
Punch (eng sub)
POSTERS
BOX OFFICE
(Modern Korean Cinema, November 14, 2011)
Korean Cinema News is a weekly feature which provides wide-ranging news coverage on Korean cinema, including but not limited to: features; festival news; interviews; industry news; trailers; posters; and box office. It appears every Wednesday morning (GMT+1) on Modern Korean Cinema. For other weekly features, take a look at the Korean Box Office Update and the Weekly Review Round-up. Reviews and features on Korean film also appear regularly on the site.
To keep up with the best in Korean film you can sign up to our RSS Feed, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Weekly Review Round-up (11/05-11/11, 2011)
A massive haul this week with 50 reviews of a wide range of films, with a number for the popular War of the Arrows. Many came as a result of the London Korean Film Festival but I also found a lot of new sources, including Hanguk Yeonghwa who, covering the LKFF, delivered no less than 6 writeups.
Enjoy!
The Weekly Review Round-up is a weekly feature which brings together all available reviews of Korean films in the English language (and sometimes French) that have recently appeared on the internet. It is by no means a comprehensive feature and additions are welcome (email pierceconran [at] gmail [dot] com). It appears every Friday morning (GMT+1) on Modern Korean Cinema. For other weekly features, take a look at Korean Cinema News, and the Korean Box Office Update. Reviews and features on Korean film also appear regularly on the site.
To keep up with the best in Korean film you can sign up to our RSS Feed, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Enjoy!
CURRENT KOREAN RELEASES
(The Korea Times, November 10, 2011)
(Film Journal, November 4, 2011)
(hancinema.net, November 6, 2011)
RECENT RELEASES
A Better Tomorrow
(heyuguys.co.uk, November 7, 2011)
(Movie Habit, November 10, 2011)
Bleak Night
(Hanguk Yeonghwa, November 10, 2011)
(hancinema.net, November 5, 2011)
(Film Fracture, November 8, 2011)
(Movie Habit, November 8, 2011)
(Joong Ang Daily, November 4, 2011)
(London Korea Links, November 6, 2011)
(iCov, November 11, 2011)
Night Fishing
(Init_Scenes, November 8, 2011)
Sector 7
Sunny
The Day He Arrives
The Front Line
(Asian Movie Pulse, November 4, 2011)
The Journals of Musan
(Film 4, November 10, 2011)
(Init_Scenes, November 6, 2011)
War of the Arrows
PAST FILMS
Chunhyang, 2000
(bltnotjustasandwich.com, November 6, 2011)
D-Wars, 2007
(Bullet Reviews, November 7, 2011)
Don't Look Back, 2006
(Seen in Jeonju, November 9, 2011)
Going By the Book, 2007
Memories of Murder, 2003
(Spinetingler Mag, November 10, 2011)
Scandal Makers, 2008
(Otherwhere, November 8, 2011)
Taegukgi, 2004
(Hanguk Yeonghwa, November 1, 2011)
The Chaser, 2008
(Korean Class Massive, November 8, 2011)
The Flower Girl, 1972
(North Korean Films, November 6, 2011)
The Weekly Review Round-up is a weekly feature which brings together all available reviews of Korean films in the English language (and sometimes French) that have recently appeared on the internet. It is by no means a comprehensive feature and additions are welcome (email pierceconran [at] gmail [dot] com). It appears every Friday morning (GMT+1) on Modern Korean Cinema. For other weekly features, take a look at Korean Cinema News, and the Korean Box Office Update. Reviews and features on Korean film also appear regularly on the site.
To keep up with the best in Korean film you can sign up to our RSS Feed, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Korean Cinema News (10/27-11/2, 2011)
A number of items on the London Korean Film Festival, which is opening tomorrow night with War of the Arrows, including a piece in HuffPo from the festival's director Jeon Hye-jung. A number of other good features (and also one comparing Korea's two big monster movies that I wholly disagree with) and some great interviews. I've also decided to add box office back to this update, this returning feature will simply include a link to MKC's weekly box office analysis, out every Monday.
Enjoy!
The London Korean Film Festival
Korean film has always been an important player on the World cinema scene with many of the most acclaimed and successful directors and films coming from the country. Over the last ten years the industry has exploded with films from directors, Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, 2003), Bong Joon-ho (The Host, 2006) and Kim Jee-woon (I Saw The Devil) finding success in America and Europe with their gritty, box office films while Hong Sang-soo and Kim Ki-duk have found acclaim in Europe and the festival circuit for their soulful stories. (The Huffington Post, October 28, 2011)
SHINee to Perform at the London Korean Film Festival
SHINee will be making an appearance at the London Korean Film Fesival. According to the Korean Cultural Center in England, SHINee has been recognized as England’s top K-Pop star, and were thus invited to perform. (allkpop, October 27, 2011)
TIFFCOM Market Wraps in Tokyo With Meetings Still Going On
The KOFIC pavilion, with seven Korean companies under its umbrella, had been doing good business. 9ers Entertainment sold Late Blossom to Japan and Ryang-kang-doc: Merry Christmas North! to Taiwan. Finecut landed a Japan deal for its North-South Korea film Poongsan and Mirovision signed an agreement for Mr. Perfect for an undisclosed Asian territory. (The Hollywood Reporter, October 26, 2011)
Korean Film Industry at the 8th TIFFCOM
The Korean film industry is strongly represented at the Tokyo International Film Festival’s content market TIFFCOM, which opened yesterday to run until Oct 26 in the Roppongi Hills complex. The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has opened an umbrella stand with seven sales companies - CJ Entertainment, Showbox / Mediaplex, Finecut,M-Line Distribution, 9ers Entertainment, Lotte Entertainment, and Mirovision. (KOBIZ, October 25, 2011)
Korean Films Set for Stockholm Festival
The 22nd Stockholm International Film Festival has announced its line-up to include a slew of films from the Republic of Korea including Hong Sang-soo’s The Day He Arrives, which previously screened in Cannes. (KOBIZ, October 28, 2011)
Halloween Scary Movie Recommendation: Oldboy
Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean revenge thriller (yes, you have to read subtitles). It's actually the second part of a trilogy, but I haven't seen the first, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), or the final, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005), installments. (ledger-inquirer.com, October 27, 2011)
Korean Movies Go Global
On October 21st, a meaningful gathering among members of the Korean movie industry took place. (arirang, October 27, 2011)
The Host Vs. Sector 7 - Monsters, Assume Your Positions!
Head to South Korea for Seoul Independent Film Festival
The Seoul Independent Film Festival will return to the South Korean capital in December to showcase a selection of productions from local screenwriters. Cineastes will have the opportunity to watch a diverse range of films across three categories - shorts, lasting for less than 60 minutes, features of an hour or more and invitational movies. (The Open Press, November 1, 2011)
Korean Stars’ Surprise at Dedicated Myanmar Fans
South Korean movie stars, Mr. Choi Soo-jong and Ms. So Yi-hyun, arrived in Yangon to the sound of a crowd screaming their names and holding aloft photos on October 20. (The Myanmar Times, October 31, 2011)
Korean Film Festival: East Meets West
The inaccurately-named London Korean Film Festival has expanded this year to include Sheffield and Cambridge, and with new Korean films that have never been seen before in the UK, Q&A sessions with well and not so well-known directors, and even a KPop group called 'SHINee' giving a live performance on the opening night, it really is bigger than ever. (The Independent, November 1, 2011)
‘Barrier-Free’ Films Offer Universal Experience
Blind becomes first local barrier-free film for people with hearing or visual impairments. The new version is accompanied by a descriptive audio feature and subtitles that narrate each and every action of the film. It was first screened during the first Barrier-Free Film Symposium in Seoul at Korean Film Archive from Oct. 28-31. (The Korea Times, October 31, 2011)
Lee Chang-dong to Meet Fans at Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival
Lee Chang-dong will attend the screening of his film Secret Sunshine (2007) at the Shin Kong Cineplex in Taipei. Winner of the Special Director Prize at the 2008 Asian Film Festival, Lee served as South Korea’s Minister of Culture and Tourism in 2003 and 2004. (Taiwan News, November 2, 2011)
Extraordinary Expats: Filmmaker NJ Calder
American filmmaker talks zombies, Korean cops, and sleepless nights in Seoul leading to his first feature film. (seoulistmag.com, October 23, 2011)
Barbie - Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)
Q &A for Barbie took place after a screening of the movie at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival on October 7, 2011. Appearing as speakers are actor Jo Yong-Seok, actress Kate Tebow, actress Kim A-Ron, actress Kim Sae-Ron, actor Lee Chun-Hee, and director Lee Sang-Woo. AsianMediaWiki editor Ki Mun was there and transcribed/translated the session. (Asian Media Wiki, October 7, 2011)
The Front Line - Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)
Press conference for The Front Line took place at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival on October 8, 2011. Appearing as speakers are actors Ryu Seung-Soo, Ko Soo (pictured), Lee Je-Hoon (pictured), Ko Chang-Seok (pictured), Lee Da-Wit (pictured) and director Jang Hun. AsianMediaWiki editor Ki Mun was there and transcribed/translated the session. (AsianMediaWiki, October 8, 2011)
“It’s Technically Very Difficult Getting a Tiger Into a Film:” a Conversation on Kim Han-min and His Film, War of the Arrows
Kim has said he considers the bow and arrow to be the vital element of his film. It is a pitch I hear first hand in interview—“I wanted to make a historical drama which introduced and focused on the arrow and the bow”—and again later at the press screening where he fields questions from the audience. (New Korean Cinema, November 1, 2011)
Enjoy!
KOREAN CINEMA NEWS
The London Korean Film Festival
Korean film has always been an important player on the World cinema scene with many of the most acclaimed and successful directors and films coming from the country. Over the last ten years the industry has exploded with films from directors, Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, 2003), Bong Joon-ho (The Host, 2006) and Kim Jee-woon (I Saw The Devil) finding success in America and Europe with their gritty, box office films while Hong Sang-soo and Kim Ki-duk have found acclaim in Europe and the festival circuit for their soulful stories. (The Huffington Post, October 28, 2011)
SHINee to Perform at the London Korean Film Festival
SHINee will be making an appearance at the London Korean Film Fesival. According to the Korean Cultural Center in England, SHINee has been recognized as England’s top K-Pop star, and were thus invited to perform. (allkpop, October 27, 2011)
TIFFCOM Market Wraps in Tokyo With Meetings Still Going On
The KOFIC pavilion, with seven Korean companies under its umbrella, had been doing good business. 9ers Entertainment sold Late Blossom to Japan and Ryang-kang-doc: Merry Christmas North! to Taiwan. Finecut landed a Japan deal for its North-South Korea film Poongsan and Mirovision signed an agreement for Mr. Perfect for an undisclosed Asian territory. (The Hollywood Reporter, October 26, 2011)
Korean Film Industry at the 8th TIFFCOM
The Korean film industry is strongly represented at the Tokyo International Film Festival’s content market TIFFCOM, which opened yesterday to run until Oct 26 in the Roppongi Hills complex. The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has opened an umbrella stand with seven sales companies - CJ Entertainment, Showbox / Mediaplex, Finecut,M-Line Distribution, 9ers Entertainment, Lotte Entertainment, and Mirovision. (KOBIZ, October 25, 2011)
Korean Films Set for Stockholm Festival
The 22nd Stockholm International Film Festival has announced its line-up to include a slew of films from the Republic of Korea including Hong Sang-soo’s The Day He Arrives, which previously screened in Cannes. (KOBIZ, October 28, 2011)
Halloween Scary Movie Recommendation: Oldboy
Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean revenge thriller (yes, you have to read subtitles). It's actually the second part of a trilogy, but I haven't seen the first, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), or the final, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005), installments. (ledger-inquirer.com, October 27, 2011)
Korean Movies Go Global
On October 21st, a meaningful gathering among members of the Korean movie industry took place. (arirang, October 27, 2011)
The Host Vs. Sector 7 - Monsters, Assume Your Positions!
Ever since I have been into Korean entertainment, The Host has hovered over my head like a majestic high bar that other things are apparently too short to reach. I had heard the best things about it and I knew it as some legendary movie, a masterpiece of Korean cinema. (orion21.blogspot.com, October 30, 2011)
Critics' Choice Awards 2011 Winners
AsiaMediaWiki presents the winners to the 31st Korean Critics' Choice Awards. (AsianMediaWiki, October 31, 2011)
"Spotlight on Contemporary Korean Cinema" in Los Angeles
Spotlight on Contemporary Korean Cinema - including Jang Hoon Retrospective. Event, held from 11/2/11 to 11/5/11. This event is sponsored by KOFIC and presented to you by KCCLA. 5505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 Map Phone: (323) 936-7141 Fax: (323) 936-5712. (hancinema.net, October 28, 2011)
Dogani School to Be Shut Down
Gwangju City will officially shut down the so-called Dogani school for the disabled today, roughly two months after a film based on events there sparked public furor over teachers’ sexual assaults against students at the regional school. (The Korea Times, October 21, 2011)
Korean Films Set for Stockholm Festival
Korean American Film Festival New York Urban 2011
Some high-profile directors involved include Korean actress Ku Hye Sun, Cannes Film Festival veteran Soopum Sohn, and father of video art, Nam June Paik. The mini multi-medium fest will also have live performances by Misnomer(S), a hip-hop duo featuring sisters Knewdles (MC), Sos (Violin), and VongKu Pak, who will be playing the Korean traditional drums with a jazz ensemble. (Korean Beacon, October 31, 2011)
Bleak Night and The Journals of Musan to screen at Reel Asian Film Fest. in Toronto
A couple of Korean films which have already met with great success on the international festival circuit will be presented at the Reel Asian Film Fest. in Toronto. They are Yoon Sung-hyun's Bleak Night and Park Jung-bum's The Journals of Musan. (reelasian.com, October 2011)
Critics' Choice Awards 2011 Winners
AsiaMediaWiki presents the winners to the 31st Korean Critics' Choice Awards. (AsianMediaWiki, October 31, 2011)
"Spotlight on Contemporary Korean Cinema" in Los Angeles
Spotlight on Contemporary Korean Cinema - including Jang Hoon Retrospective. Event, held from 11/2/11 to 11/5/11. This event is sponsored by KOFIC and presented to you by KCCLA. 5505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 Map Phone: (323) 936-7141 Fax: (323) 936-5712. (hancinema.net, October 28, 2011)
In a near unanimous vote, South Korea’s parliament approved a tougher law against sex crimes Friday, inspired in part by a recent movie based on a real-life case of sexually abused deaf children. (The Washington Post, October 28, 2011)
VIDEO - Facing (about the "Hope Bus" events in Busan)
I took these images in Busan, Korea, on october 8th. Some filmmakers and people related to movies took buses to see the female worker Kim Jin-suk, who's occupying a crane of her factory, Hanjin, since more than 8 months (from beginning january). (vimeo, October 17, 2011)
VIDEO - Greeting Message from Jonathan Ross to London Greeting Message from Jonathan Ross to London Korean Film Festival 2011
A messade from Jonathan Ross on the upcoming London Korean Film Festival. (youtube.com, October 28, 2011)
The Day He Arrives and Dance Town Screening at Cork Film Festival
Hong Sang Soo's The Day He Arrives and Jeon Kyu-hwan’s Dance Town will be screening at the Corona Cork Film Festival running November 6-13. (Cork Film Festival, October 2011)
D-War Director Banned From Leaving Country
Film producer and director Shim Hyung-rae has been banned from leaving the country on suspicions that he embezzled 4.1 billion won ($3.7 million) of his company’s money and remodeled manufactured firearms. (Joong Ang Daily, November 1, 2011)
VIDEO - Facing (about the "Hope Bus" events in Busan)
I took these images in Busan, Korea, on october 8th. Some filmmakers and people related to movies took buses to see the female worker Kim Jin-suk, who's occupying a crane of her factory, Hanjin, since more than 8 months (from beginning january). (vimeo, October 17, 2011)
VIDEO - Greeting Message from Jonathan Ross to London Greeting Message from Jonathan Ross to London Korean Film Festival 2011
A messade from Jonathan Ross on the upcoming London Korean Film Festival. (youtube.com, October 28, 2011)
The Day He Arrives and Dance Town Screening at Cork Film Festival
Hong Sang Soo's The Day He Arrives and Jeon Kyu-hwan’s Dance Town will be screening at the Corona Cork Film Festival running November 6-13. (Cork Film Festival, October 2011)
D-War Director Banned From Leaving Country
Film producer and director Shim Hyung-rae has been banned from leaving the country on suspicions that he embezzled 4.1 billion won ($3.7 million) of his company’s money and remodeled manufactured firearms. (Joong Ang Daily, November 1, 2011)
Gwangju City will officially shut down the so-called Dogani school for the disabled today, roughly two months after a film based on events there sparked public furor over teachers’ sexual assaults against students at the regional school. (The Korea Times, October 21, 2011)
Korean Films Set for Stockholm Festival
In the Asian Images section along with The Day He Arrives, the festival has selected up-and-coming director Jeon Kyu-hwan’s Dance Town, about North Korean escapees, Kim Ki-duk’s self-portrait documentary Arirang, and Na Hong-jin’s brutal thriller The Yellow Sea. (KOBIZ, October 28, 2011)
Busan West Reveals Selection
Busan West (11-13 Nov 2011), a new film festival being organised by South Korea's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in the US, has unveiled an 11-title inaugural line up. (Film Business Asia, November 1, 2011)
The Final Schedule For the 2011 London Korean Film Festival
Here are the screening details for the 2011 London Korean Film Festival, including the screenings in Cambridge, Sheffield and Newcastle. For the events at the KCCUK, book by emailing [email protected]. (London Korea Links, November 2, 2011)
KOFIC Success at Tokyo Market
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has announced successful results from the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival and 8th TIFFCOM market after a presentation on co-productions and locations incentives, the Ko-production in Tokyo project meetings, and film sales at the KOFIC umbrella stand. (KOBIZ, October 31, 2011)
Busan West Reveals Selection
Busan West (11-13 Nov 2011), a new film festival being organised by South Korea's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in the US, has unveiled an 11-title inaugural line up. (Film Business Asia, November 1, 2011)
The Final Schedule For the 2011 London Korean Film Festival
Here are the screening details for the 2011 London Korean Film Festival, including the screenings in Cambridge, Sheffield and Newcastle. For the events at the KCCUK, book by emailing [email protected]. (London Korea Links, November 2, 2011)
KOFIC Success at Tokyo Market
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has announced successful results from the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival and 8th TIFFCOM market after a presentation on co-productions and locations incentives, the Ko-production in Tokyo project meetings, and film sales at the KOFIC umbrella stand. (KOBIZ, October 31, 2011)
Some high-profile directors involved include Korean actress Ku Hye Sun, Cannes Film Festival veteran Soopum Sohn, and father of video art, Nam June Paik. The mini multi-medium fest will also have live performances by Misnomer(S), a hip-hop duo featuring sisters Knewdles (MC), Sos (Violin), and VongKu Pak, who will be playing the Korean traditional drums with a jazz ensemble. (Korean Beacon, October 31, 2011)
Bleak Night and The Journals of Musan to screen at Reel Asian Film Fest. in Toronto
A couple of Korean films which have already met with great success on the international festival circuit will be presented at the Reel Asian Film Fest. in Toronto. They are Yoon Sung-hyun's Bleak Night and Park Jung-bum's The Journals of Musan. (reelasian.com, October 2011)
Head to South Korea for Seoul Independent Film Festival
The Seoul Independent Film Festival will return to the South Korean capital in December to showcase a selection of productions from local screenwriters. Cineastes will have the opportunity to watch a diverse range of films across three categories - shorts, lasting for less than 60 minutes, features of an hour or more and invitational movies. (The Open Press, November 1, 2011)
Korean Stars’ Surprise at Dedicated Myanmar Fans
South Korean movie stars, Mr. Choi Soo-jong and Ms. So Yi-hyun, arrived in Yangon to the sound of a crowd screaming their names and holding aloft photos on October 20. (The Myanmar Times, October 31, 2011)
Korean Film Festival: East Meets West
The inaccurately-named London Korean Film Festival has expanded this year to include Sheffield and Cambridge, and with new Korean films that have never been seen before in the UK, Q&A sessions with well and not so well-known directors, and even a KPop group called 'SHINee' giving a live performance on the opening night, it really is bigger than ever. (The Independent, November 1, 2011)
‘Barrier-Free’ Films Offer Universal Experience
Blind becomes first local barrier-free film for people with hearing or visual impairments. The new version is accompanied by a descriptive audio feature and subtitles that narrate each and every action of the film. It was first screened during the first Barrier-Free Film Symposium in Seoul at Korean Film Archive from Oct. 28-31. (The Korea Times, October 31, 2011)
Lee Chang-dong to Meet Fans at Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival
Lee Chang-dong will attend the screening of his film Secret Sunshine (2007) at the Shin Kong Cineplex in Taipei. Winner of the Special Director Prize at the 2008 Asian Film Festival, Lee served as South Korea’s Minister of Culture and Tourism in 2003 and 2004. (Taiwan News, November 2, 2011)
INTERVIEWS
Extraordinary Expats: Filmmaker NJ Calder
American filmmaker talks zombies, Korean cops, and sleepless nights in Seoul leading to his first feature film. (seoulistmag.com, October 23, 2011)
Barbie - Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)
Q &A for Barbie took place after a screening of the movie at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival on October 7, 2011. Appearing as speakers are actor Jo Yong-Seok, actress Kate Tebow, actress Kim A-Ron, actress Kim Sae-Ron, actor Lee Chun-Hee, and director Lee Sang-Woo. AsianMediaWiki editor Ki Mun was there and transcribed/translated the session. (Asian Media Wiki, October 7, 2011)
Thai Director Gives a Strong Kick to New Taekwondo Film
Although taekwondo is a popular sport, it has not fared well at the box office and many a taekwondo film has flopped. But Thai martial arts film director Prachya Pinkaew, famous for his Ong-Bak films, is hoping his latest film The Kick will not follow the footsteps of its predecessors. (Joong Ang Daily, October 28, 2011)
Poongsan - Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)
Although taekwondo is a popular sport, it has not fared well at the box office and many a taekwondo film has flopped. But Thai martial arts film director Prachya Pinkaew, famous for his Ong-Bak films, is hoping his latest film The Kick will not follow the footsteps of its predecessors. (Joong Ang Daily, October 28, 2011)
Poongsan - Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)
Q&A for Poongsan took place after a screening of the movie at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival on October 10, 2011. Appearing as speakers are actor Kim Jong-Soo & director Juhn Jai-Hong. AsianMediaWiki editor Ki Mun was there and transcribed/translated the session. (AsianMediaWiki, October 10, 2011)
The Front Line - Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)
Press conference for The Front Line took place at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival on October 8, 2011. Appearing as speakers are actors Ryu Seung-Soo, Ko Soo (pictured), Lee Je-Hoon (pictured), Ko Chang-Seok (pictured), Lee Da-Wit (pictured) and director Jang Hun. AsianMediaWiki editor Ki Mun was there and transcribed/translated the session. (AsianMediaWiki, October 8, 2011)
“It’s Technically Very Difficult Getting a Tiger Into a Film:” a Conversation on Kim Han-min and His Film, War of the Arrows
Kim has said he considers the bow and arrow to be the vital element of his film. It is a pitch I hear first hand in interview—“I wanted to make a historical drama which introduced and focused on the arrow and the bow”—and again later at the press screening where he fields questions from the audience. (New Korean Cinema, November 1, 2011)
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