Lee Chang-dong’s Burning (2018) gets a UK theatrical release, from Thunderbird Releasing, in the run-up to the Oscars, for which it is shortlisted in the best foreign film category.
In London it has a run at the BFI, among other venues, from 1 February. The evening screening on 5 February is followed by a Critics Salon at which they will discuss the “award-winning study of class conflict, toxic masculinity and obsession from South Korean director Lee Chang-dong, surely one of the most talked-about new releases of 2019.” (Details on BFI website). Here’s an enthusiastic review by Mark Kermode:
Cast: Steven Yeun, Ah-In Yoo, Jong-Seo Jeon
Running time: 148 minutes
Certificate: 15
UK release date | In cinemas 1st February 2019
Ah-In Yoo (Lee Jong-su), Jong-seo Jeon (Shin Hae-mi) and Steven Yeun (Ben) in Burning Credit: Thunderbird Releasing
WINNER OF THE CANNES 2018 FIPRESCI INTERNATIONAL CRITICS’ PRIZE
Adapted from a short story by Haruki Murakami, Lee Chang-Dong’s BURNING follows the story of deliveryman Jongsu (Ah-In Yoo), who is out on a job when he runs into Haemi (Jong-Seo Jeon), a girl who once lived in his neighbourhood. Friendly and flirtatious, she asks if he can look after her cat while she’s away on a trip to Africa, and he happily obliges.
On her return, she asks Jongsu to meet her at the airport- and promptly introduces him to Ben (Steven Yeun) – an enigmatic young man she met during her trip. As the group spend more time together, Jongsu slowly gets to know the inscrutable visitor – until one day, Ben tells him about his most unusual hobby…
