Here are partial details of the Korean screenings at LEAFF. We’ve also extracted the relevant sections of the introductory press release. We’ll update the schedule with detailed timings and ticket links when they become available.
London East Asia Film Festival 2024
LEAFF is back for its 9th edition. Bringing the best of East Asian cinema to the heart of London, the 9th London East Asia Film Festival is back from 23rd October to 3rd November 2024.
Kicking off LEAFF with a pulse-pounding Opening Gala, Escape is a high-stakes Korean action thriller that vividly portrays the harrowing defection of Lim Gyu-nam, a North Korean soldier risking everything for freedom beyond the barbed-wire fence. In relentless pursuit is Li Hyeon-sang, a North Korean state security officer determined to stop him at any cost. This ruthless, edge-of-your-seat thriller powerfully echoes the festival’s core themes of survival and aspiration. Following the screening, acclaimed director Lee Jong-Pil will join the audience for an exclusive Q&A, delving deeper into the film’s intense narrative and themes.
The Special Gala will feature Revolver, directed by Oh Seung-uk, a visionary who redefined Korean noir. This intricate tale of revenge follows a police officer who takes the fall for a crime, lured by the promise of a significant payoff. Upon release, a mysterious woman enters her life, but her true intentions remain shrouded in secrecy. Starring the sensational Lim Ji-yeon, who captivated global audiences with her standout performance in the hit Netflix series The Glory, Revolver promises to be an captivating and intense experience. Lim Ji-yeon herself will be in attendance to meet with audiences in London.
In addition, LEAFF delivers an unmissable Halloween experience with four spine-chilling Korean films. Leading the lineup is Exhuma, a masterful work by Jang Jae-hyun and the highest-grossing Korean horror film of all time, featuring gripping performances from Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun.
Pig That Survived Foot-and-Mouth Disease opens with brutal violence and plunges into a harrowing exploration of bottomless despair. The Unrighteous delves into occult horror, set in a decaying villa where psychological terror reigns supreme. Rounding out the selection, Rhapsody for the Dead offers a chilling narrative that begins with dating violence and spirals into a gripping exorcism. These four standout films promise to make this year’s Halloween season at LEAFF an unforgettable celebration of horror, pushing the boundaries of fear and suspense.
| Time | Event | Strand | Tickets |
| Wed 23 Oct 19:00 | Escape (Dir: Lee Jong-Pil, 2024, 94 min) + Opening Gala Ceremony, Introduction and Q&A with Director Lee Jong-Pil | Opening Gala | Here |
| Thu 24 Oct 18:00 | Revolver (Dir: Oh Seung-uk, 2024, 114 min) + Introduction and Q&A with Actor Lim Ji-yeon | Special Gala | Here |
| Wed 30 Oct 18:00 | The Unrighteous (Dir: Kim Seon-kuk, 2024, 87 min) | Halloween Special | Here |
| Wed 30 Oct 20:30 | Rhapsody for the Dead (Dir: Kim Hyun-jun, 2024, 84 min) | Halloween Special | Here |
| Thu 31 Oct 18:00 | Pig That Survived Foot-And-Mouth Disease (Dir: Hur Bum-wook, 2024, 104 mins) | Halloween Special | Here |
| Thu 31 Oct 20:30 | Exhuma (Dir: Jang Jae-hyun, 2024, 134 mins) | Halloween Special | Here |
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