In a collection of National Pavilions which includes a big aluminium cage (France), some unfinished pine kitchen furniture (Germany) and a reconstruction of a celebrity gay swimming pool death (Nordic countries) the Korean pavilion at the Venice Biennale is in good company in making you scratch your head a little bit. What is one to … [Read More]
Category: Festivals (page 47)
London Korean Film Festival 2009
The schedule is up on the Barbican website, and it’s a great range of the latest hits together with a retrospective of one of the classic directors. Text from the Barbican website, where you can also buy tickets: Thursday 5 Nov, 7pm: Park Chan-wook: Thirst, with introduction by the director. I think this is the … [Read More]
Saharial reviews Thirst
Being a big fan of Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy, I was definitely excited and keen to see Thirst (박쥐; Bakjwi) his newest release that won the Jury prize at Cannes this year. The story is of Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a priest who willingly undergoes a medical experiment to help find a cure for a virus. … [Read More]
Park Chan-wook: uncut (almost)
Following a screening of Thirst, director Park Chan-wook discussed the film’s decade-long genesis, its dark humour, Catholic imagery and fascination with moral transformation. Insightful and often hilarious, the Q&A offers a glimpse into the personal ideas and influences behind one of his most complex works. [Read More]
Cute kisses and extreme marriages – different perspectives on Park Chan-wook
After Monday’s focus on Thirst, Tuesday’s Mr Vengeance screening, together with a generous hour of Q&A with Director Park, offered the opportunity to focus on his earlier work. In fact, the first question at the Q&A asked about Park’s very first films (pre JSA). Did Park have any tips or lessons learned for a rookie … [Read More]
Lead us not into temptation – Q&A with Park Chan-wook at UK “Thirst” premiere
Appropriately enough, Director Park cast a sombre red shadow on the screen as he walked onto the stage to answer questions following the London premiere of Thirst. The film delivered all the blood you have come to expect from a Park Chan-wook movie, this time with some justification, given the vampire theme. But as always … [Read More]
Korean Connections at the 53rd BFI London Film Festival
Colin Bartlett has overcome the shortcomings of the London Film Festival website search engine by diligently reading the 100 page festival brochure for films with Korean connections. Here are the results of his labours. First, the two main films we already know about: Hong Sang-soo’s Like you know it all (18, 19 Oct) www.bfi.org.uk/lff/node/433 Bong … [Read More]
KoreaDesign at Earl’s Court
It was not so long ago that Korea was known as a country which was highly competent at manufacturing goods which ticked all the boxes in terms of functionality and cost, but lacked the wow factor in terms of design. In recent years, Korea has been catching up with the design innovators, with consumer electronics … [Read More]
Korean designers at Earls Court
As per last year, the Korea Institute of Design Promotion will be sponsoring a stand at the 100% Design London Exhibition at Earls Court, 24-27 September 2009, as part of the London Design Festival. LKL will be there to review it. [Read More]
The traditional medicine Constitution Type test
Did anyone do the “Constitutional Type” test in the Korean Village at the Thames Festival? It seems that if you don’t have a disease, you’ve got to keep trying till you get one: # [Read More]
Photos from the Thames Festival
It was a perfect day in More London, by Tower Bridge, and the crowds were out in large numbers to enjoy the Thames Festival. The Korean contingent had taken possession of The Scoop for the weekend, and over 70 performers had come over from Korea to entertain the festival-goers. Reflecting the current marketing push to … [Read More]
Visit GoKorea.co.uk and enjoy the Festival
As most readers will know, this weekend’s Thames Festival is a fun event, and more importantly has a lot of Korean performers entertaining the crowds and bringing the best of Korean culture to London. The Korean “Village” is sponsored by Asiana Airlines, Expedia, H.I.S., the Korea Tourism Organisation and the Korean Cultural Centre UK. In … [Read More]
Thames Festival – food, film and fun
Here the official press release about the Korean representation at the Thames Festival this year: A Scoop of Korea Bringing Korea to the Heart of London at the Mayor’s Thames Festival, 12th – 13th September LONDON, UK (1st September, 2009) – ‘A Scoop of Korea’ is being held as a part of The Mayor’s Thames … [Read More]
A Scoop of Korea at Thames Festival 2009
As Chuseok approaches, it’s time once again for the Thames Festival: 12-13 September. This will be the third year that there has been a significant Korean presence. The amazing Dulsori led the way three years ago; last year the high-profile item was Jump. This year we get the musical essence of contemporary Korea, Sorea: a … [Read More]
In pictures: the Kingston Korean Festival 2009
In the past, there’s always been some reason why I couldn’t get to the Korean Festival in Kingston. This year the way things panned out I could only manage to spend an hour there over lunchtime, but it’s a fun day out. A tip: there are two reasons not to go there by car. (1) … [Read More]
The Dandelion’s Story – another Edinburgh hit
Colin Bartlett gives a thumbnail sketch of another Edinburgh Fringe production by Modl Theatre, from Korea: A delightful well-crafted show for children and adults I’m much older than a child, but I liked it a lot, and the others in the audience, both children and adults, seemed to be enjoying it as well. The production … [Read More]