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Category Archives: Film

Kim Ji-woon in London: bigger, faster

12-Nov-08

Friday night’s screening of The Good the Bad and the Weird (좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈, hereafter Nom Nom Nom) was followed by a screen talk with director Kim Ji-woon and actor Lee Byung-hun, chaired by Tony Rayns. Lee Byung-hun was late for the chat, either tied up with promotional activities for his upcoming films or maybe just lost in the Barbican labyrinth. Rayns is the UK’s longest established expert on Korean film, and organised a Korean film festival at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts almost 10 years before Jonathan Ross ever heard of Park Chan-wook. He knows many of the big names in Chungmuro personally, and has even conducted an interview with maverick director Jang Sun-woo half naked in ...

Also filed in Autumn K-Film 2008, Conference reports, Event reports and reviews, Interviews and features, Kim Ji-woon | Tagged Ticker | Comments (0) »

Lee Byung-hun on being the bad guy

11-Nov-08

Lee Byung-hun, in town for the launch of the London Korean Film Festival, took advantage of his trip to have some interviews and engage in other promotional activities. He impressed the crowds at the opening screening of The Good the Bad and the Weird, and again the next day at the post film discussion, with his command of English. He’s been improving language skills in order to target the western market. His debut Hollywood film - GI Joe: Rise of Cobra – is to be released next year, in which he plays bad guy Storm Shadow. Lee confessed that he finds the filming in English tough: being interviewed in English is hard enough, but having to worry about the quality of ...

Also filed in Autumn K-Film 2008, Celebs, Event reports and reviews, Lee Byung-hun | Tagged Ticker | Comments (1) »

Call for film-makers

26-Sep-08

KAFFNY 2009 - The Korean-American Film Festival New York - is scheduled for February 2009. KAFFNY is a one-day New York event screening works by emerging Korean filmmakers and performers. It is the event that brought you Benson Lee's "Planet B-Boy," Juwan Chung's "Baby," and short works by Dennis Lee and Randall Park. Co-sponsored by New York University Tisch School of the Arts and The Korea Times, for the coming festival they are planning on increasing their reach. This is from the organisers: 5.8 million people of ethnic Korean descent have immigrated to and live in all parts of the world, outside of Korea. "Are there filmmakers amongst those millions?," we asked ourselves. New to KAFFNY 2009, we ...

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The Chaser gets theatrical release

18-Sep-08

For those who missed “The Chaser” at Frightfest, don’t forget that it’s showing from tomorrow (Friday 19 September) at the Cineworlds in the Trocadero and Canary Wharf, and at the Shepherd's Bush Vue. Viewing times are on the Evening Standard website here. Jonathan Ross gave it a rave review on Film 2008 earlier this week (have a look on the BBC iPlayer website for the next few days – 16 mins 10 seconds in). In general, the Chaser is one of Korean cinema’s few recent high spots, so catch it while you can. Related posts:Korean Film in Edinburgh Films by Koreans, films about Koreans. At the Edinburgh Film...K-film at the BFI London Film Festival Not to be confused with the Korean Film Festival ...

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The big, the small, and the predictable

13-Sep-08

Is it a reflection on the current state of the Korean film industry that the films to be shown at the 52nd BFI London Film Festival don't really surprise me? In previous years the organisers have managed to select films which are out of the ordinary, maybe one or two that I hadn't heard of. This year? Well, I'm not complaining because we have the biggest Korean film of the year, an art-house stalwart and a mainstream horror flick. But let's hope the Korean Film Festival at the Barbican in November fills in a few gaps. [caption id="attachment_5032" align="alignleft" width="119" caption="The Good"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_5031" align="alignright" width="119" caption="The Bad"][/caption] The big one? The Good the Bad and the Weird, of course. Packed with stars ...

Also filed in Autumn K-Film 2008, Events news, Hong Sang-soo, Kim Ji-woon | | Comments (1) »

Recommended K-film viewing this weekend

21-Aug-08

This Friday's screening at the KCC is the Jeong Brothers' Epitaph (2007). Synopsis as follows: “In a modern hospital in 1941, doctors witness weird events and learn DEATH is the sole healer.” In 1979, Dr. PARK receives an old photo album from his twenties in 1941 when mysterious things befell him and his colleagues. PARK was bound by his parents to marry a girl whom he never met, but fell in love with a dead woman who happened to be his arranged marriage. Meanwhile, a little girl who was apparently the only survivor a car accident was haunted by ghosts every night. After two doctors (a married couple) involved in these two stories return to their hospital from Tokyo, a series ...

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The Asia House festival of Asian Film

14-Aug-08

Asia House's first film festival contains one of the big Korean hits from last year, but also has enough to tempt you to try out films from other countries. 5 films, 5 UK premieres. Everyone's favourite castaway Kim Yun-jin (above) stars in Seven Days directed by Won Shin-yeon: Jiyeon (Kim Yun-jin) is a hard working, hot shot lawyer and single mother of a seven-year-old girl. During a school sports day, her daughter disappears. Jiyeon receives an anonymous phone call: the caller has the girl. He proposes a deal. No ransom. He wants Jiyeon to prove a convicted murderer not guilty at his appeal. Within seven days. If she fails, she’ll never see her daughter alive. With the clock against her, Jiyeon begins to reinvestigate ...

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Tale of Two Sisters at the KCC

06-Aug-08

This week’s screening at the KCC is Kim Ji-woon’s (김지운) stylish suspense / horror flick Tale of Two Sisters (2003). (7 August, 7pm) Kim’s filmography is varied and of a high quality. He started with comedy - the macabre Quiet Family (1998) and the hugely fun Foul King (2000), and now seems to be in an action / thriller phase, with the post-Oldboy gangster noir Bittersweet Life (2005) and this year’s most anticipated film, “Manchurian western” The Good the Bad and the Weird (2008), which was such a hit at Cannes and which hopefully will be coming to London later this year. In between was his rather gruesome contribution to Three Extremes (2002), and possibly one of Korea’s most successful Ring-style ...

Also filed in Events news, KCC Film Club, Kim Ji-woon, Moon Geun-young | | Comments (0) »

Lee Chang Dong featured at KCC

09-Jul-08

The theme for this month’s films at the KCC film club is Director Lee Chang Dong (right). A few weeks ago we had Im Sang-soo at the KCC talking about his “modern Korean history trilogy”; and the recent KOFIC book on Im says: Im Sang Soo is practically the only director now making films that take a long look at the lives of contemporary Koreans without losing their historical sense … There are few texts as good at understanding the sensibilities and concerns of modern Koreans as the films of Im Sang Soo. Strike out Im Sang Soo and replace with Lee Chang Dong and you have a statement with even greater validity. Having started as a writer Director Lee learned film-making on ...

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The wait is over

03-Jul-08

At least in part. No student of Korean film can call his or her education complete until they've seen some films by Kim Ki-Young. Until now, none of the films have been available on DVD. Alas, no Housemaid yet, but this new four-film boxed set includes Goryeojang (a.k.a. Burying Old Alive) (1963), Chungnyeo (a.k.a. The Insect Woman) (1972), Promises (a.k.a. Promises of the Flesh) (1975), and Ieoh Island (a.k.a. Iodo) (1975), plus (according to the blurb at YesAsia) special features that includes commentaries by film critic Kim Young Jin and director Bong Joon Ho (presumably without subtitles), plus a photo gallery and 35 minutes of interview clips of the legendary director. The set will be available from YesAsia from 10 July Links: Buy your copy ...

Also filed in Kim Ki-young, Retail Therapy | | Comments (0) »

Korean Film in Edinburgh

15-Jun-08

Films by Koreans, films about Koreans. At the Edinburgh Film Festival: The Mouse Trap (Gee-dut) 23 JUN 14:00 24 JUN 21:15 Woon Han / South Korea / 2007 / 6 mins Showing as part of International Animation 1 The Juche Idea 24 JUN 17:30 25 JUN 21:45 Jim Finn / United States of America / 2008 / 62 mins Art? Propaganda? Dubious cultural profiling? North Korean political kitsch explored… Cadaver (Haebuhak-gyosil) 23 JUN 22:00 27 JUN 23:45 Derek Son / South Korea / 2007 / 111 mins The hot new South Korean horror – catch it first here. Milky Way Liberation Front 19 JUN 20:00 26 JUN 15:00 Yoon Seong-ho / South Korea / 2007 / 101 mins Are you ready for South Korea’s Living in Oblivion? Life Track 23 JUN 20:15 25 JUN 19:15 Jin Guang-hao / South Korea, China ...

Also filed in Edinburgh 2008, Events news | | Comments (0) »

War Stories

10-Jun-08

The Korean War started in June 1950, and the Korean Cultural Centre has selected the War as the theme for the two films to be screened there this month. The first, on 12 June, is Taegukgi (태극기 휘날리며, also known as Brotherhood, or even Brotherhood of War), by Kang Je gyu (2004), while later in the month on 26 June will be Welcome to Dongmakgol, (웰컴 투 동막골) directed by Park Kwang-hyeon (2005). The two films could not be more different, but in their way are both a strong contrast to films about the Korean war made in the recent past. From the late 50s through to the 70s, to generalise probably rather too much, South Korean films about the war were ...

Also filed in DPRK, Events news, KCC Film Club, Kang Je-gyu | Tagged Ticker | Comments (0) »

Im Sang Soo: Uncut

04-Jun-08

As part of the Tiger Asian film festival Im Sang Soo, director of socio-political films ‘The President’s Last Bang’, ‘A Good Lawyer’s Wife’ and ‘The Old Garden’, held a Q&A session on 30th May 2008 at the Korean Cultural Centre in London. There was a small but select feel to the gathering that took place in the multipurpose hall. It was an illuminating event, even for those who had neither seen nor heard of the films prior to this event – of which there were more than a few. Questions and answers were translated on the spot by Seh Hyun Rho to whom we extend our thanks and also to the Korean Cultural Centre for hosting the event. The following is a ...

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Also filed in Conference reports, Im Sang-soo, KCC Film Club, KCCUK | Tagged Best of LKL, Ticker | Comments (2) »

Im Sang Soo faces London grilling

26-May-08

Korean film director Im Sang Soo is participating in two Q&A sessions this week: Friday at the KCC and Saturday at the ICA, the latter in conjunction with the screening of The President's Last Bang. It has been said that Im Sang Soo is practically the only director now making films that take a long look at the lives of contemporary Koreans without losing their historical sense ... There are few texts as good at understanding the sensibilities and concerns of modern Koreans as the films of Im Sang Soo. ((Hun Moonyung in in the preface to KOFIC's just-published book on Im Sang Soo, the latest in their Korean Film Director series)) Director Im refers to his most recent three films as his ...

Also filed in Events news, Im Sang-soo, KCC Film Club | Tagged Ticker | Comments (0) »

Tiger Festival comes to London and Brighton

22-May-08

Three Korean films are coming to London and Brighton as part of the Tiger Far East Film Festival (1) The controversial CGI monster pic D-War (Shim Hyung-rye, 심형래, 2007) Synopsis (from KOFIC): A thousand years ago, in a little village on the Korean peninsula, a child of destiny is born with a Youijoo (a magic stone that bestows omnipotence) in her bosom. To pursue the occult Youijoo, Imoogi comes to earth from Heaven with a tremendous number of followers and begins to launch attacks against the people of the earth. A thousand years later in downtown L.A., a mysterious natural disaster takes place. While reporting on the case, a CNN reporter, Tom, begins to sense the colossal legend behind the chain of ...

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Family Ties to screen at KCC

16-May-08

The next film to feature at the KCC is Family Ties, also known as Birth of a Family (가족의 탄생), starring one of my favourite actresses, the talented Moon So-ri (below right). Synopsis Mi-ra, who runs a small snack food restaurant, has a trouble-maker brother, Hyung-chul. After being discharged from the military, he goes missing. After five years Hyung-chul suddenly comes back home accompanied by a middle-aged woman, Mu-sin. He gives a bunch of flowers to Mi-ra and introduces Mu-sin as his wife, even though they have not had a wedding ceremony. Mu-sin looks at least 20 years older than Hyung-chul. From that moment, an eccentric family is born. The screening is on 22 May at 7pm. As usual, pre-registration is required by ...

Also filed in KCC Film Club | | Comments (0) »

The Way Home screens at the KCC

30-Apr-08

The KCC's theme for its two film screenings in May is the family. The first of the films, The Way Home (집으로...) was the surprise low-budget hit of 2002. This is director Lee Jeong-hyang's second film, her first being the gentle rom-com Art Museum by the Zoo, whose draw was the star actress Shim Eun-ha. For The Way Home, Lee used completely untried actors - with the exception of Yoo Seung-ho, who plays the spoilt brat. The synopsis from koreanfilm.org: The Way Home opens with a single mother who, faced with financial troubles, decides to leave her seven-year son with his mute grandmother in the countryside. Having run away from home at a young age, the mother introduces the two to each other ...

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200 Pound Beauty

16-Apr-08

The fourth film night at the Korean Cultural Centre on 24 April is the surprise hit of last year, 200 Pound Beauty. Synopsis Hanna is a lip sync vocalist for Ammy, the famous Korean pop singer. Even though she is always ignored because of her appearance, she has been a bright and lighthearted girl until Ammy humiliates her in front of Sang-jun, her secret love. At last she makes a decision of a lifetime to have plastic surgery all over her body. Yong-hwa Kim, Director Born in 1971, KIM majored in film at Chung-Ang University. In 2000, he made his graduation short film “Salty Fish”. The film got him invited to several international film festivals such as the Rochester International Film Festival and Houston ...

Also filed in KCC Film Club, KCCUK | | Comments (3) »

Spring, Summer at the KCC

09-Apr-08

The KCC's third film screening, on Friday 11 April at 7pm, is Kim Ki-duk's Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter ... and Spring. From the KCC website: Synopsis Spring, a child monk audaciously stacks rocks on a frog's back. Summer, a young boy falls in love with a girl who comes to the buddhist monastery to convalesce. Fall, a young man who returns to the monastery a murderer. Winter, a man learns the art of Zen on a chilly mountain. Spring again, and an old monk raises a child. Against the dreamlike background of a monastery that stands in the middle of a forest, panoramic portraits of life flow in accordance with the four seasons. Biography After studying art in Paris, KIM Ki-duk returned to Korea ...

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A feast of Park Chan-wook

04-Apr-08

I'm a Cyborg, but that's OK finally gets a UK theatrical release, prior to its release on Tartan DVD at the end of May. The film, which stars hallyu superstar Rain (Jeong Ji-hoon, 정지훈) and Im Soo-jeong (임수정), received its belated London premiere last year at the Korean Film Festival at the Barbican, and returns to the ICA in Pall Mall today for the rest of April. Coinciding with the release, The ICA is also showing the Vengeance Trilogy, Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, Oldboy (the film which really got director Park noticed outside Korea) and Lady Vengeance (above, left to right, with Park on the extreme right) Lady Vengeance will be getting a separate screening at the Roxy Bar and Screen in ...

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Beyond the Years at the KCC

16-Mar-08

The KCC's second monthly film screening will be Im Kwon-taek's Beyond the Years (천년학). Im's 100th film, it's a sequel to his breakthrough movie from the early 1990s, Sopyonje. Here's the KCC's press release: KOREAN CULTURAL CENTRE UK, TRAFALGAR SQUARE Thursday, March 27th 2008, 7:00 PM As part of the Korean Film Night programme, and following the first successful showing of Virgin Snow, the Korean Cultural Centre UK proudly presents the first UK release of Beyond the Years. Beyond the Years is the one hundredth film of the highly prolific director Kwon Taek Im, casting Jae Hyun Cho (조재현) (Dong Ho) and Jung Hae Oh (오정해) (Song Wha). Dong Ho, a pansori drummer, is the adopted son of Yu Bong and the brother of Song ...

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Virgin Snow screening update

22-Feb-08

Further information just received from the Japan Society: Tuesday 26th February, 7.00pm Korean Cultural Centre 1 Northumberland Avenue London, WC2N 5EJ Hatsu Yuki No Koi (Virgin Snow) directed by Han Sang-hee Hatsu Yuki No Koi, or Virgin Snow, written by Ban Kazuhiko and directed by Han Sang-hee, stars the most popular young Korean actor of the day, Lee Jun-ki and the princess of Japanese cinema, Miyazaki Aoi. This Korean-Japanese production is primarily a high school love story set against the cityscapes of Kyoto and Seoul. Min (Lee), a Korean high school student comes to Japan when his father, a potter, is posted to a university in Kyoto. Min meets Nanae (Miyazaki) and promptly falls in love with her. The relationship blossoms and they overcome ...

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Virgin Snow at the KCC

14-Feb-08

News of what I believe is the first film screening at the new Korean Cultural Centre in London. In a joint venture with the Japan Society, Han Sang-hee's Virgin Snow (Hatsuyuki no Koi) will be screened at the KCC on 26 February at 7pm. The director is in London at the time, so I assume he will be there for Q&A. Details on the Japan Society website. Now, why on earth isn't it on the KCC's website yet? Update The event is, as of 20 February, now on the KCC website.Â More details here. Related posts:Virgin Snow screening update Further information just received from the Japan Society: Tuesday...Korea Night at the Conway Hall Very much word of mouth at the moment, but it’s...Late news - Thursday ...

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Korean film - a review of 2007

30-Jan-08

Jason Bechervaise, founder of koreanfilm.org.uk, gives his perspective on the ups and downs of the Korean film industry in 2007 By all accounts 2007 was a year that has been difficult one for the Korean film industry where it seems that the golden years of the Korean film industry has passed. Rising costs have meant it is more challenging to make a profit. A recent study by KOFIC (Korean Film Council) estimated that while in 2006 the average film earned 77% of its budget, in 2007 this dropped significantly to 39%. To make things look little better, only 10 films broke even with 2 million admissions or more. However, although 2007 saw a drop in theatrical admissions -- the first ...

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Koreans and Handball

27-Dec-07

A message recently received from a visitor to this site. Do Koreans in London play Handball or want to play? Thames Handball in Kingston upon Thames need players of all standards- men and women or children. see website http://www.thameshandball.com Also NEW The South Korean movie, "The Best Moment of Our Lives," will be released in South Korean theaters late 2007 / early 2008 and a promotional preview is now available for viewing online. http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1437437MYtc95T7 The movie revolves around the 2004 South Korean Olympic Team which lost to Denmark in the Gold medal final in Athens. The match was notable for going through 2 overtimes before being settled in a penalty shoot-out. The preview mixes scenes from the Gold medal match with training and preparation for the Olympics. ...

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