Released by KOFIC / Korean Academy of Film Arts, this DVD was one I was very curious and keen to see. Consisting of 10 short films made by directors while studying at the Academy, the shorts range between 11 and 30 minutes long. I was keen to get this because Bong Joon-ho was involved in … [Read More]
Category: Film reviews and comment (page 28)
Where the Truth Lies: the Case of Itaewon Homicide
Saharial reviews one of 2009’s murder-mysteries: Synopsis Based on real events that have been ‘dramatised and changed for dramatic purposes’ the story tells of an incident in 1997 when a student was found murdered in the bathroom of a burger restaurant. Two suspects are found, both of whom are American-born Korean and both of whom … [Read More]
Kim Jong-il’s Comedy Club – the tweets
It’s not often that Twitter is alive with Tweets about a documentary on BBC4, but Kim Jong-il’s Comedy Club was special. Here are some of them. LKL: Game for a laugh? Don’t forget Kim Jong-il’s Comedy Club tonight, BBC4, 10pm http://bit.ly/bT9eZE # LKL: Wow this documentary is bizarre!! # Alex_Hoban: @lklinks you’re telling me…! Alex_Hoban: … [Read More]
A historical mystery that’s well worth a look
Eternal Empire (1995) – a nice-looking costume drama about murder and court intrigue in the Yi dynasty soon after the death of Prince Sado – and an adaptation of Yi In-hwa’s excellent novel (reviewed here). It’s one of Darcy’s top 10 K-films of the 90s. I’m not quite as enthusiastic, but it’s well worth a … [Read More]
A pizza shovel for the Dear Leader: was he amused by “Kim Jong-il’s Comedy Club”?
Kim Jong-il’s Comedy Club is a Danish documentary which follows the two-week visit to North Korea by a Danish comedy double-act who had received permission to perform in Pyongyang’s National Theatre. The documentary is fascinating on many levels. First, the two comedians are ethnic Korean adoptees, born in South Korea but brought up in Denmark, … [Read More]
Breathless (똥파리, 2009) review: fractured families, inherited violence
Breathless is a visceral discussion of the legacy which violence can create and the ease with which it can span generations, infecting everything and everyone in its path. Utilizing a gritty, low-budget aesthetic, Breathless is an outstanding film which truly packs a punch and will take your breath away. [Read More]
Saharial reviews Stranger than Paradise
Story: No Yoon Jae (Lee Sung-Jae) was adopted as a child and taken to Canada and now, at age 33 has been looking for his parents for some time. A successful lawyer with a love for coffee and his girlfriend he travels to Korea to meet once more with disappointment. Kang Son Ho (Uhm Tae … [Read More]
A Hong Sang-soo film I liked first time
Just watched a Hong Sang-soo film (Like you know it all) and actually enjoyed it. Maybe I'm beginning to grow up. Now I must try rewatching the others. # [Read More]
LKL’s top 10 K-films of the noughties
Mark Russell led the way with his fascinating list of films of the decade – in which the biggest shock was that there was no Park Chan-wook. GI Korea also has a list, which redresses the balance somewhat. So here is mine. Over the years I’ve been reasonably diligent in giving marks out of 10 … [Read More]
Rain in Ninja Assassin: Could Stephen Colbert do this?
Yes, it’s the UK release of Ninja Assassin, starring Colbert’s nemesis, Rain. Hollywood.com gave it 1 out of 10. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a decent ninja flick,” starts the review, before explaining why it is that we’re still waiting. But the review is reasonably complementary about Rain, reserving its main criticism … [Read More]
Saharial reviews Beethoven Virus
Story: Ru Mi, a violinist for 17 years has had little or no luck playing in orchestras, they all seem to disband or fall apart. Now working as a copywriter, she comes up with an idea to make Sukwon, where she lives, a capital for classical music. Her luck has not changed though and the … [Read More]
Portrait of a Beauty (미인도, 2008) review: art and obscenity; morality and hypocrisy
Sexually explicit in both narrative content and imagery, the sumptuously filmed Portrait of a Beauty asks what dictates whether visual depictions of the sexual act are deemed as art or seen simply as pornography, deftly critiquing Joseon-era Korea, in the process. [Read More]
Antique: A delicious slice of feel-good cinema
Saharial samples the delights of Antique, described as “entertaining and fabulously fruity” by one reviewer Story Based closely on the 2002 Yaoi manga Antique Bakery (西洋 骨董 洋菓子店, Seiyō Kottō Yōgashiten, “Western Antique Cake-Shop”) by Fumi Yoshinaga, the Korean adaptation broke through the million mark of legitimate viewers three weeks after opening. It was invited … [Read More]
A belated look back at 2009
For the past 3 years LKL has concocted a quiz of the year as a way of gathering together some of the news stories which have most caught our eye. This year, as I came to draw up the list in mid December I found it hard to think of anything amusing or diverting: most … [Read More]
Mark Russell’s top 10 Korean films of the Noughties
Mark Russell presents his top 10 films of the noughties http://bit.ly/8qSrnH. I think I agree with #1. How many do you agree with? Kay: I agree with number one but have only seen 2 others from the list so i can’t say >_< Aashish: Thank god Take Care Of My Cat got some well deserved ... [Read More]
White night (백야행: 하얀 어둠 속을 걷다, 2009) review: beauty, darkness and moral ambiguity entwined
White Night is an utterly superlative film which repeatedly reminds fans of Korean films of the reasons they fell in love with South Korean cinema in the first place. Film of the year! [Read More]