UPCOMING FILMS
(Variety, October 29, 2012)
(Film Business Asia, October 28, 2012)
(The Hollywood Reporter, October 31, 2012)
(Film Business Asia, October 29, 2012)
Friday, November 2, 2012
WKR: Im Kwon-taek London Retro and More From Busan (10/27-11/02, 2012)
Though it ended almost three weeks ago, the pace of reviews coming in from this year's Busan International Film Festival has yet to let up. Additionally, a comprehensive Im Kwon-taek retrospective is currently taking place in London with Eastern Kicks leading the charge on the review front.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
KCN: Masquerade Triumphs at Daejong, Korean Films Wins Awards at Festivals (10/25-10/31, 2012)
Masquerade won a record-breaking 15 trophies at the Daejong Film Awards while a number of Korean films won prizes at major international film festivals.
49th Daejong Film Awards: Masquerade Wins... Everything
The largest movie awards show returned tonight as it held its 49th edition in Seoul. As the size and prestige of the industry has risen over the years, so has this awards show, which could be seen as Korean cinema's equivalent to the Oscars. It's not the only awards show in town as the Blue Dragon Awards, which take place in November, are also fairly prominent, but it's the longest running and the one with the highest profile. (Modern Korean Cinema, October 30, 2012)
KOREAN CINEMA NEWS
The largest movie awards show returned tonight as it held its 49th edition in Seoul. As the size and prestige of the industry has risen over the years, so has this awards show, which could be seen as Korean cinema's equivalent to the Oscars. It's not the only awards show in town as the Blue Dragon Awards, which take place in November, are also fairly prominent, but it's the longest running and the one with the highest profile. (Modern Korean Cinema, October 30, 2012)
Interview: The Singular Lee Sang-woo, Director of Barbie
I was fortunate to sit down with Lee Sang-woo a few weeks ago on a Saturday evening in Hongdae after having seen his latest two films Barbie (which came out last week in Korea) and Fire in Hell (which premiered in Jeonju earlier this year).
Lee has been in the industry for a long time, most notably as Kim Ki-duk's assistant director, before making the transition to becoming a prolific director in his own right. His official debut was Tropical Manila in 2008 and he has released six films up until now, including Mother Is a Whore (2010), but has actually shot as many as 12, most of which will be released in the near future.
Lee was extremely frank during his interview which, it should be noted, was conducted after a few bottles of soju. Be warned however, some parts of our discussion may not be to suitable for all tastes.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
49th Daejong Film Awards: Masquerade Wins... Everything
Last year a couple of films, all with big box office tallies took home most of the awards but this year's event fortunately featured a few smaller films in the mix, not least Kim Ki-duk's Pieta, which picked up the Venice Film Festival's top prize, the Golden Lion, only a few weeks ago. The nominees list is still largely dominated by commercial hits, as this awards show as not traditionally been kind to independent fare, but it's nice to see a few make the cut. Though in the end it seems the variety was all for nought.
Monday, October 29, 2012
KBO: Skyfall Ends Masquerade's 6-Week Reign (10/26-10/28, 2012)
Skyfall Ends Masquerade's 6-Week Reign
| Title | Release Date | Market Share | Weekend | Total | Screens | |
| 1 | Skyfall (us/uk) | 10/26/11 | 45.60% | 870,836 | 871,823 | 749 |
| 2 | Masquerade | 9/13/12 | 20.90% | 412,777 | 10,944,763 | 503 |
| 3 | Perfect Number | 10/18/12 | 16.80% | 325,268 | 1,233,658 | 436 |
| 4 | Almost Che | 10/25/11 | 6.00% | 119,294 | 158,827 | 358 |
| 5 | Brave (us) | 9/27/12 | 1.90% | 42,088 | 1,186,522 | 153 |
| 6 | A Company Man | 10/11/12 | 2.20% | 40,652 | 1,091,606 | 261 |
| 7 | Looper (us) | 10/11/12 | 2.00% | 36,434 | 548,015 | 181 |
| 8 | Paranormal Activity 4 (us) | 10/25/11 | 1.70% | 34,918 | 43,274 | 173 |
| 9 | Lawless (us) | 10/25/11 | 0.60% | 10,603 | 16,722 | 170 |
| 10 | Dangerous Liaisons | 10/11/12 | 0.30% | 5,998 | 293,263 | 70 |
Friday, October 26, 2012
Barbie (바비, 2012)
Though I have long been a fan of the aesthetic merits of Korean cinema, I also realize that there exists a dark side to Korean culture, a pervasive materialism that often favors beauty and perfection above all else. Designer goods and Western trappings have quickly become staples of life for modern urban Koreans. So as Korea has leapt forward in the rush of globalization, what has been lost? Director Lee Sang-woo, with his new feature Barbie, cuts right through the façade as he exposes the dark underbelly of contemporary consumerism.
A young girl (Soon-young) takes care of her sister (Soon-ja) and their mentally-ill grandfather while their mercenary uncle (Mang-tek) hatches a plan to sell her to a wealthy American. The American arrives in town with his daughter but Soon-young doesn’t want to abandon her family. The sickly Soon-ja, who plays with her Barbie and wears makeup, desperately wants to take her place. Meanwhile the American is harboring a secret.
WKR: More From Busan and Doomsday Book Plays Toronto After Dark (10/20-10/26, 2012)
A few more reviews trickle in from Busan while Doomsday Book plays at Toronto's After Dark Festival.
UPCOMING FILMS
(Variety, October 20, 2012)
(Film Business Asia, October 26, 2012)
(The Hollywood Reporter, October 25, 2012)
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
KCN: Success of Korean Films and Local Festivals on Horizon (10/18-10/24, 2012)
More festivals on the way and continued success of Korean film at the local box office.
Korean Films Around the World
As The Thieves breaks the 13 million mark and admissions overtake 10 million for Masquerade, interest in Korean cinema abroad is geting stronger. The Korean Cultural Center in Washington D.C. will screen Choo Chang-min, director of Masquerade’s previous film, Late Blossom (2011). It will be shown at 6:30pm on 25th October. Director Kim Ki-duk’s Pieta, recipient of the Golden Lion Award at Venice, will be released across the U.S. through Drafthouse Films in 2013. (KoBiz, October 23, 2012)
KOREAN CINEMA NEWS
As The Thieves breaks the 13 million mark and admissions overtake 10 million for Masquerade, interest in Korean cinema abroad is geting stronger. The Korean Cultural Center in Washington D.C. will screen Choo Chang-min, director of Masquerade’s previous film, Late Blossom (2011). It will be shown at 6:30pm on 25th October. Director Kim Ki-duk’s Pieta, recipient of the Golden Lion Award at Venice, will be released across the U.S. through Drafthouse Films in 2013. (KoBiz, October 23, 2012)
Sunday, October 21, 2012
KBO: Masquerade Streak Continues After Tight Finish (10/19-10/21, 2012)
Masquerade Streak Continues After Tight Finish
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| Title | Release Date | Market Share | Weekend | Total | Screens | |
| 1 | Masquerade | 9/13/12 | 32.50% | 545,866 | 10,255,655 | 619 |
| 2 | Perfect Number | 10/18/12 | 32.50% | 534,306 | 632,824 | 553 |
| 3 | A Company Man | 10/11/12 | 11.20% | 176,295 | 963,201 | 399 |
| 4 | Looper (us) | 10/11/12 | 6.70% | 104,853 | 453,391 | 302 |
| 5 | Brave (us) | 9/27/12 | 3.20% | 57,888 | 1,139,057 | 248 |
| 6 | Ghost Sweepers | 10/3/12 | 2.50% | 43,776 | 935,762 | 218 |
| 7 | The Assassins (ch) | 10/18/12 | 2.30% | 39,101 | 49,038 | 227 |
| 8 | Dangerous Liaisons | 10/11/12 | 2.40% | 38,750 | 255,172 | 248 |
| 9 | Lawless (us) | 10/18/12 | 1.90% | 30,803 | 46,713 | 275 |
| 10 | Infinite Concert 3D | 10/18/12 | 2.10% | 25,313 | 31,395 | 84 |
Friday, October 19, 2012
WKR: Busan Winds Up (10/13-10/19, 2012)
Few more pieces come in from Busan as the festival wraps up, not to mention some reviews of brand new films on the Korean marquees.
UPCOMING FILMS
(Variety, October 14, 2012)
National Security
(Word From the ROK, October 13, 2012)
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
KCN: Deals Made at BIFF, Masquerade Still King (10/11-10/17, 2012)
BIFF Wraps up while a swath of deals while Masquerade continues to set records.
“As the number of the festival days has gone up, so has the maturity level of the audience.” said Lee Yong-kwan, BIFF Festival Director, about this year's edition. At the closing press conference held on 13th October, LEE said “The Busan Cinema Center has now firmly been established as the main venue of the festival. We need to explore further how to make best use of the Nampo area.” (KoBiz, October 16, 2012)
KOREAN CINEMA NEWS
Sunday, October 14, 2012
KBO: Masquerade Goes for 5-in-a-Row and on Track for 10 Million (10/12-10/14, 2012)
Masquerade Goes for 5-in-a-Row and on Track for 10 Million
.jpg)
| Title | Release Date | Market Share | Weekend | Total | Screens | |
| 1 | Masquerade | 9/13/12 | 36.80% | 683,845 | 9,344,967 | 675 |
| 2 | A Company Man | 10/11/12 | 27.00% | 468,300 | 576,744 | 549 |
| 3 | Looper (us) | 10/11/12 | 11.60% | 201,278 | 250,121 | 386 |
| 4 | Ghost Sweepers | 10/3/12 | 5.70% | 112,637 | 844,889 | 316 |
| 5 | Dangerous Liaisons | 10/11/12 | 6.00% | 106,821 | 139,370 | 334 |
| 6 | Brave (us) | 9/27/12 | 4.70% | 90,114 | 1,072,603 | 325 |
| 7 | Taken 2 (us) | 9/27/12 | 3.40% | 58,376 | 2,267,568 | 281 |
| 8 | Frankenweenie (us) | 10/11/12 | 1.60% | 26,638 | 30,327 | 226 |
| 9 | Spy | 9/20/12 | 0.70% | 13,311 | 1,302,020 | 105 |
| 10 | Ted (us) | 10/3/12 | 0.70% | 11,685 | 256,849 | 80 |
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