Back in December 2022, Sight and Sound released its updated list of The Greatest Films of All Time. This list, which was first presented in 1952, is prepared every ten years. For the first time, in this most recent iteration a Korean film made it into the top 100. There are no prizes for guessing … [Read More]
Director: Jang Sun-woo
K-rime: Timeless, Bottomless Bad Movie screening
Join us for a very rare screening of Jang Sun-woo’s Bad Movie, also known as Timeless, Bottomless Bad Movie (1997), a transgressive piece of cinéma vérité that turns its lens onto the homeless and runaway teens of ’90s Seoul as they sniff glue, commit random acts of violence, and feel a profound sense of loss … [Read More]
London Korean Film Festival 2022: the detailed schedule
Here’s your at-a-glance no-clicks-required version of the detailed schedule for this year’s London Korean Film Festival: Time Title Strand RSC = Regent Street Cinema | ICA = Institute of Contemporary Arts | PHC = Picturehouse Central | GC = Garden Cinema | CL = Ciné Lumière | Gen = Genesis Cinema | Rio = Rio … [Read More]
The Korean Film Archive Youtube Channel
Continuing some suggestions of what to do when you’re stuck at home… Many of you will already be aware that the Korean Film Archive has a wonderful YouTube Channel with loads of classic Korean movies, with English subtitles, available for free. Thing is, I’ve never found an index of the channel. So, over the years … [Read More]
London Korean Film Festival 2019: the official press release
Here is today’s official press release that announces the line-up for the 2019 London Korean Film Festival: The London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) has launched its full programme of films and events for the upcoming 14th edition, taking place from 1st-14th November in London before embarking on the annual tour 18th-24th November. The Special Focus, … [Read More]
Home Truths season: Lies
This X-rated movie was one of the first Korean films LKL’s editor saw, when it had a theatrical release in London in the early noughties. It doesn’t get screened often and it’s worth catching to see one of Jang Sunwoo’s more controversial films. Lies (거짓말) Dir: Jang Sunwoo (2000, 112 mins) Cast: Lee Sang-hyeon, Kim … [Read More]
Screening: Jang Sun-woo’s A Petal
It’ll be good to get another chance to see this classic movie. Thanks to the KCC for programming it. A Petal (꽃잎) Director: Jang Sun-woo (1996, 101 mins) Cast: Moon Sung-keun, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Young-ran, Yoo Soon-chul Original novel by Choe Yun 10 May 2018 7:00 pm, KCCUK. Book via EventBrite Stumbling along rivers and … [Read More]
A look at the 2016 London Korean Film Festival programme
Oooh oooh oooh my favourite film of 2012, and in a shortlist for my film of the decade is being screened again. I thought it would never find its way back into a London theatre and that I’d never have the pleasure of seeing it again, because it’s not the sort of movie that they’re … [Read More]
Controversy in Korean Literature: Hailji on Road to the Racetrack
What a great way to warm up for the London Korean Film Festival. Artist Talk: Think !n Literature Film Screening & Talk: Controversy in Korean Literature Wednesday 5 November │ 18:30-23:00 │ Korean Cultural Centre UK │ Speaker: Hailji, Author The Road to Racetrack RSVP to KCCUK on 0207 004 2600 or [email protected] We cordially … [Read More]
Variations on Jang Sun-woo
Tony Rayns tells us in his KOFIC book about Jang Sung-woo that he once interviewed the famous director naked in a jjimjilbang. Rayns’s documentary film about Jang, entitled the Jang Sung-woo Variations, is bookended by extracts from the interview, with Jang being given a relaxing back massage; and in between are other extracts of the … [Read More]
Jang Sun-woo season: Lovers in Woomuk-baemi at the KCC
The Jang Sun-woo season winds up on Thursday with one of koreanfilm.org’s top 10 films of the 1990s: Lovers in Woomukbaemi 7pm, Thursday 26th August Director: Jang Sun-woo Cast: Park Joong-hoon, Choi Myoung-gil Genre: Drama Certificate: 18 (South Korea) Running Time: 114 mins Venue: The Korean Cultural Centre UK Ground Floor, Grand Buildings 1-3 Strand, … [Read More]
Jang Sun-woo Variations with Tony Rayns at the KCC
The Jang Sun-woo season continues tomorrow at the KCC with the Jang Sun-woo Variations, followed by Q&A with Tony Rayns. Details below: The Jang Sun-woo Variations 7pm, Thursday 19th August Director: Tony Rayns Cast: Jang Sun-woo Genre: Documentary Certificate: Not rated Running Time: 118 mins Venue: The Korean Cultural Centre UK Ground Floor, Grand Buildings … [Read More]
Road to the Racetrack gets there before Hong Sang-soo
Jang Sun-woo’s Road to the Racetrack: surprisingly entertaining for 140 minutes focusing on just two characters. Was their relationship just a fling, or is it for keeps? #. The film anticipates Hong Sang-soo’s output, and is more entertaining. [Read More]
Jang Sun-woo season at the KCC: full details
Here’s the press release for the Jang Sun-woo season at the KCC this month. We’ve already had A Petal last week, and Road to the Racetrack is this week. Tony Rayns introduces his documentary on Jang the following week, while the another rarity, one of koreanfilm.org’s top 10 films of the 1990s, The Lovers of … [Read More]
Jang Sun-woo season: Road to the Racetrack screens at the KCC
August’s season of Jang Sung-woo films at the KCC continues this Thursday 12 August with Road to the Racetrack (1991): The Road to the Race Track 7pm, Thursday 12th August Director: Jang Sun-woo Cast: Kang Soo-yeon, Moon Sung-keun Genre: Drama Certificate: 18 (South Korea) Running Time: 140 mins Venue: The Korean Cultural Centre UK Ground … [Read More]
Petal divides the audience
Mixed reactions to Jang Sun-woo's Petal at the KCC last night, as part of the Jang Sun-woo month. Two people walked out, but some of us were crying. # [Read More]