CURRENT FILMS
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As One
Friday, June 8, 2012
Weekly Review Round-up (06/02-06/08, 2012)
First Weekly Review Round-up live from Seoul! A few write-ups on As One and Kim Ki-duk's Arirang this week as they are release in Australia and the UK respectively.
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Thursday, June 7, 2012
Korean Cinema News (05/31-06/06, 2012)
First Korean Cinema News update live from Seoul! However, pretty light this week as I get myself up to speed in my new home.
Clint Mansell To Score Park Chan-Wook’s Vampire Film Stoker
When you’ve got the director of Oldboy (2003) making an intimate vampire film, you know the score will be as important as the lead actors. In the case of Park Chan-wook‘s English-language debut, Stoker, that certainly seems to be the case. He’s recruited Clint Mansellto score the film, which stars Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman and Alice in Wonderland herself, Mia Waskiowska. (/Film, June 5, 2012)
KOREAN CINEMA NEWS
Clint Mansell To Score Park Chan-Wook’s Vampire Film Stoker
When you’ve got the director of Oldboy (2003) making an intimate vampire film, you know the score will be as important as the lead actors. In the case of Park Chan-wook‘s English-language debut, Stoker, that certainly seems to be the case. He’s recruited Clint Mansellto score the film, which stars Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman and Alice in Wonderland herself, Mia Waskiowska. (/Film, June 5, 2012)
Korea's Oldest Silent Film Revived
As the black and white film began rolling, a four-piece band — keyboard, violin, cello and piano accordion — played music and a narrator explained the first scene of the film Crossroads of Youth (1934) at Ewha Centennial Hall located in Jeong-dong, central Seoul, Saturday. The silent film was revived with a modern twist after enormous effort from staff including a programmer, a director, a composer, musicians, singers and a narrator. (The Korea Times, May 30, 2012)
As the black and white film began rolling, a four-piece band — keyboard, violin, cello and piano accordion — played music and a narrator explained the first scene of the film Crossroads of Youth (1934) at Ewha Centennial Hall located in Jeong-dong, central Seoul, Saturday. The silent film was revived with a modern twist after enormous effort from staff including a programmer, a director, a composer, musicians, singers and a narrator. (The Korea Times, May 30, 2012)
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Korean Box Office Update (06/01-06/03, 2012)
Men in Black Stays Up Top While Domestic Releases Nibble at Its Heels
| Title | Release Date | Market Share | Weekend | Total | Screens | |
| 1 | Men in Black 3 (us) | 5/24/12 | 26.20% | 533,557 | 2,455,318 | 540 |
| 2 | All About My Wife | 5/17/12 | 22.30% | 474,494 | 2,784,894 | 474 |
| 3 | Runway Cop | 5/30/12 | 15.30% | 334,254 | 453,570 | 431 |
| 4 | Don't Click | 5/30/12 | 12.40% | 295,733 | 353,034 | 360 |
| 5 | Snow White and the Huntsmen (us) | 5/30/12 | 11.80% | 261,558 | 452,589 | 443 |
| 6 | The Avengers (us) | 4/26/12 | 4.60% | 96,753 | 6,996,984 | 281 |
| 7 | The Taste of Money | 5/17/12 | 2.40% | 50,357 | 1,131,158 | 248 |
| 8 | Madagascar 3 (us) | 6/6/12 | 2.60% | 39,738 | 40,912 | 186 |
| 9 | As One | 5/3/12 | 0.80% | 19,625 | 1,856,843 | 139 |
| 10 | Inazuma Eleven Go (jp) | 5/24/12 | 0.40% | 10,872 | 81,756 | 96 |
Sunday, June 3, 2012
MKC Leaves for Seoul
Part of an ongoing series about my trip to and discovery of Seoul...
Well the day is here and as I'm about to leave so I'll keep it short. I'll be touching down in Seoul in 23 hours with my scant 28kgs of baggage.
I'm supposed to have internet in my new apartment but if there is any problem upon arrival please bear with me as I get myself set up in a few days. Though baring any major problems I expect the flow of news and content to go uninterrupted, only the box office update will be delayed due to the flight.
See you on the other side!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Weekly Review Round-up (05/26-06/01, 2012)
The Taste of Money, which was presented late last week at the Cannes Film Festival, gets a big serving of reviews this week but Im Sang-soo may be eating some humble pie for a while. A Screen Daily poll ranked his film as the least popular among the competition's 22 offerings.
CURRENT FILMS
(Seongyong's Private Place, May 31, 2012)
The Taste of Money
Thursday, May 31, 2012
6th Annual Korean American Film Festival Preview
Next week, from June 5th to 10th, the 6th Annual Korean American Film Festival, which boasts a lineup of nine features and 20 shorts will take place in New York. One of the highlights in the lineup is Magic and Loss, a feature that premiered at the Busan Film Festival in 2010 and features Korean indie stars Yang Ik-june (Breathless, 2009) and Kim Kkobbi (Life Is Peachy, 2011).
Given the changing landscape of cross-cultural cinema, events such as these, especially those that take a broad view on a diaspora's influence on global culture, are becoming increasingly important. As such, the 6th KAFFNY, just as in previous years, promises to highlight the connections between very different cinematic global communities by showcasing a broad and eclectic array of independent cinema. Only wish I was in New York myself to take part!
Below is a full press release on the event:
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Korean Cinema News (05/24-05/30, 2012)
Aside from a new trailer, poster and the Box Office recap, all of this week's news in Cannes-related. The big films were sold to the major markets but left high and dry at the awards ceremony, though a short did pick up a prize for Korea!
The big news with MKC this week is that the site and I are relocating to Seoul this Sunday, a very exciting devlopment! Below is yesterday's post about the move:
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IFC Midnight to Give US Viewers a Taste of Money With Im Sang-soo's Latest
Im Sang-soo's new film The Taste of Money, which competed in Cannes last week, has been picked up by IFC Midnight for US distribution. Im's previous film The Housemaid (2010), which also vied in competition at Cannes, was also distributed in North America by IFC Midnight and benefited from a decent amount of exposure. I recall being surprised when I noticed its availability on Time Warner's On Demand service when I lived in LA. I'm not sure if a theatrical release will follow and it must be said that it has not received glowing reviews from the Mediterranean fest but this is not always a good indicator for the greater public.
The Taste of Money, which stars Kim Kang-woo (A Better Tomorrow, 2009), Yoon Yuh-jung (Actresses, 2009), Baek Yoon-shik (Save the Green Planet, 2003) and Kim Hyo-jin (Woochi, 2009), brings us inside the lives of one of the richest families in Korea and their tale of greed, lust and violence. (Modern Korean Cinema, May 30, 2012/Twitch, May 29, 2012)
The big news with MKC this week is that the site and I are relocating to Seoul this Sunday, a very exciting devlopment! Below is yesterday's post about the move:
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Im Sang-soo's new film The Taste of Money, which competed in Cannes last week, has been picked up by IFC Midnight for US distribution. Im's previous film The Housemaid (2010), which also vied in competition at Cannes, was also distributed in North America by IFC Midnight and benefited from a decent amount of exposure. I recall being surprised when I noticed its availability on Time Warner's On Demand service when I lived in LA. I'm not sure if a theatrical release will follow and it must be said that it has not received glowing reviews from the Mediterranean fest but this is not always a good indicator for the greater public.
The Taste of Money, which stars Kim Kang-woo (A Better Tomorrow, 2009), Yoon Yuh-jung (Actresses, 2009), Baek Yoon-shik (Save the Green Planet, 2003) and Kim Hyo-jin (Woochi, 2009), brings us inside the lives of one of the richest families in Korea and their tale of greed, lust and violence. (Modern Korean Cinema, May 30, 2012/Twitch, May 29, 2012)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
MKC to Touch Down in Seoul in 5 Days
Part of an ongoing series about my trip to and discovery of Seoul...
The big day is almost here. Last week I received my issuance number from Korean immigration and made my way to the local embassy in Bern, the Swiss capital. I'll get my passport back with its new visa stamp in the next day or two and this morning I received my e-ticket which departs from Zurich this Sunday (June 3rd) with a layover in Doha, Qatar before arriving at Incheon airport Monday evening. I'll be flying with Qatar Airways which I've only heard great things about, however I am sad that it won't be with Korean Air as naturally I would have liked to catch some new releases on the plane!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Korean Box Office Update (05/25-05/27)
The Men in Black Score Big After Long Absence
| Title | Release Date | Market Share | Weekend | Total | Screens | |
| 1 | Men in Black 3 (us) | 5/24/12 | 47.50% | 1,064,549 | 1,210,197 | 767 |
| 2 | All About My Wife | 5/17/12 | 24.50% | 610,994 | 1,819,491 | 537 |
| 3 | The Avengers (us) | 4/26/12 | 10.30% | 260,686 | 6,741,216 | 367 |
| 4 | The Taste of Money | 5/17/12 | 7.80% | 193,197 | 951,420 | 412 |
| 5 | As One | 5/3/12 | 3.20% | 86,339 | 1,775,535 | 277 |
| 6 | Snow White and the Huntsmen (us) | 5/30/12 | 2.90% | 71,840 | 71,840 | 284 |
| 7 | Inazuma Eleven Go (jp) | 5/24/12 | 1.50% | 40,393 | 41,668 | 242 |
| 8 | Machine Gun Preacher (us) | 5/24/12 | 0.40% | 10,771 | 17,847 | 140 |
| 9 | Mirror Mirror (us) | 5/3/12 | 0.40% | 10,443 | 574,969 | 57 |
| 10 | A Muse | 4/25/12 | 0.20% | 5,498 | 1,337,811 | 52 |
Friday, May 25, 2012
Weekly Review Round-up (05/19-05/25, 2012)
A bevvy of reviews this week for Hong Sang-soo's latest as it vies for the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Also a lot of great pieces on current Korean films and for Helpless which recently opened on limited in the US.
FUTURE FILMS
In Another Country - Out 03/31
The Emperor's Concubine - Out 06/06
(The Korea Times, May 22, 2012)
Punch (완득이, Wandeuki) 2011
On the surface Lee Han’s new feature may not seem like much as it treads well-worn territory such of the coming-of-age drama and the sports film. Even as it unspools it doesn’t seem to break any new ground as we are introduced to a very familiar plot and a fairly typical coterie of characters. What sets it apart is the skill in its staging. Though a standard narrative, it is so well executed that it beckons you into its story with a gesture that, like from an old friend, is both welcoming and comforting. Once you’re nestled into Punch’s world, which hardly takes a moment, subtle and sometimes surprising elements flutter into the film and the outwardly simplistic characters slowly become more fleshed out. Though it takes some time to realize that you are watching a film that is much more complex than its easygoing exterior lets on. Lee, who has previously made a name for himself with a series of well-crafted romance films such as Lover’s Concerto (2002), Almost Love (2006) and Love, First (2007), deftly and almost imperceptibly handles the narrative’s many cogs.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Korean Cinema News (05/17-05/23, 2012)
Some sales in Cannes this week but not too much else to report though there are some great interviews and a new trailer for incoming summer zombie feature Deranged. Next week should yield some more Cannes news and hopefully a Korean film will pick up a prize though at this point I don't think they'll get anything in the main competition unless The Taste of Money suddenly received a better welcome than in Korea where it opened last week.
KOREAN CINEMA NEWS
A number of high-profile pics have sold at Cannes, including the hotly anticipated The Thieves which was bought by firms in China, Hong Kong and Thailand. The year's biggest local hit to date, Nameless Gangster, also secured distribution in some territories such as Japan, China and Hong Kong in Asia as well as Eastern Europe, Spain and the French-speaking portion of Europe. So Ji-sub's hitman film A Company Man, which is scheduled to open next month, was sold to Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and French and German-speaking Europe. The Scent was also taken by a few Asian markets, including Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Lastly, Love On-Air, the first wide Korean release of 2012, was sold to Thailand. (Modern Korean Cinema, May 23, 2012)
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