In the London Korean Film Festival there is always a selection of long and short animations to showcase that part of the Korea motion picture industry which otherwise does not get much screen time. This year, the organisers made a controversial decision: to promote the main animation feature as “a Korean cousin to Studio Ghibli … [Read More]
Category: Festivals (page 45)
Kim Ji-woon interview: the utter emptiness of revenge
Kim Ji-woon discusses I Saw the Devil, the controversy over its extreme violence, his approach to revenge and human darkness, casting Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik, and his upcoming Hollywood project. He also reflects on scripting, genre, and how psychological and emotional truths shape his films. [Read More]
Kim Ji-woon’s I Saw the Devil: more than just gore?
Aashish Gadhvi speaks on behalf of three LKL reviewers: Kim Ji-woon’s latest is a disappointment. Hype can be a film’s best friend or its worst enemy. In the case of some films it has worked (The Blair Witch Project) and in the case of others it has backfired spectacularly (Star Wars Prequels), but the fact … [Read More]
The LKFF 2010 is off to a sizzling start
The London Korean Film Festival is now more than 10 years old, and this is the 5th year of its existence under the organisation of the Cultural Centre. It seems to get bigger every year. From its early home in the Prince Charles Cinema, it moved to the more prestigious venue of the Barbican for … [Read More]
London Korean Film Festival 2010
The London Korean Film Festival returns at its regular early November slot. With the Barbican cinemas out of action this year’s festival is a bit of a logistical nightmare, with screenings at the ICA, Odeon West End and the Apollo, but there’s more than enough film interest to compensate. One of the highlights of the … [Read More]
The Housemaid (하녀, 2010) review: Im Sang-soo’s lavish and ruthless reimagining
Though not as subtly stated, socially accurate, or downright claustrophobic and creepy as its illustrious predecessor, The Housemaid still stands its ground as a well realised and gripping thriller which deftly shows that power can easily become as addictive as a drug… [Read More]
Korean Film at the 54th BFI London Film Festival
Three Korean movies at the BFI London Film Festival this year. At the time of writing the evening screenings of Poetry and End of Animal are sold out, but there are still tickets for the others. Film descriptions by Tony Rayns, from the BFI website. Lee Chang-dong: Poetry Thu 21 October 20:15 Vue Screen 5 … [Read More]
Time and Light: Korean designers at 100% Design London
Time seemed to be one of the themes of the various Korean designers on show at the 100% Design London exhibition at Earl’s Court. Cha Il-gu graduated from London’s Royal College of Art and at last year’s show was selected as a “Next Generation Design Leader” and a “Most Promising Talent” at 100% Future. He … [Read More]
Concert notes: Baramgot at the South Bank
When Baramgot visited London two years ago they played to a sparsely populated mediaeval church in the middle of the Barbican complex. This year, the performance was in the more comfortable environment of the Purcell Room, and the audience was much bigger. What we gained in comfort was somewhat lost in atmosphere – the echoing … [Read More]
Korea returns to 100% Design London
100% Design London: 2010 KOREA DESIGN Pavilion September 23rd (Thur) – 26th (Sun), 2010 (4 days) Stand L70, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London Hosted by Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) Organized by Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) Supported by Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Korea Design: Innovative Design through Advanced Technology Design in Korea … [Read More]
Winterplay launches UK album with civilised gigs
Last weekend saw Winterplay’s UK debut and launch of their first western album on Universal. Three gigs in two remarkably different settings. Their first performance was in the Cultural Centre on Friday 10 September. Demonstrating the remarkable flexibility of the space, the area next to the reception desk had been converted into a stage, with … [Read More]
LKL reports from the Thames Festival 2010
2010 is Korea’s fourth year of participation in the Thames Festival, and each year the participation seems to get more ambitious. This year, the location moved from Tower Bridge, where there are possibly fewer punters strolling by, to the high-profile Jubilee Gardens, under the shadow of the London Eye, where the crowds are much more … [Read More]
This weekend: Korea at the Thames Festival
A reminder of the timetable for the Korean events by the London Eye this weekend. Weather is forecast to be better on Sunday. All timings approximate and subject to change. Saturday 11 September: 12:00 – Taekwondo demo 13:00 – Taekwondo workshop 13:30 – BreakOut (Extreme Dance Comedy) 14:30 – B-boy experience 15:00 – Winterplay jazz … [Read More]
An early celebration of Chuseok for Children
The Korean Cultural Centre UK is proudly hosting a free family workshop to celebrate Chuseok at the Centre on the 11th and 12th of September, coinciding with all the Thames Festival events on the south bank. Animation screening (Pororo, Dibo), traditional Korean folklores by a professional storyteller, contemporary amd traditional board games are waiting for … [Read More]
Empowering the Taekwondo Generation: TKD demos in London and southern England
As last year, the Taekwondo demonstration team showcasing their talents at the Thames Festival will be staying to do a mini tour of the south of England. The first demo before they leave London after the festival is at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, 1 Philip Lane, Tottenham, London, N15 4JA at 7pm on Monday 13th … [Read More]
Baramgot at the South Bank
Baramgot’s Barbican concert in 2008 was undoubtedly the live performance of the year. Won Il’s creative traditional Korean music ensemble are in town this weekend to perform at the Thames Festival, and will be staying to give a concert at the Purcell Room on 13 September. Too often the reinvention of traditional music can turn … [Read More]