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]
Director: Park Kwang-su
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]
Shifting Landscape – the first of the KCC’s film seasons of 2019
The KCC announces its first group of screenings for 2019 – three early movies from the Korean New Wave. It’s nice that they’ve got three screenings in January – a month that has been something of a cultural drought for the KCC in recent years. Shifting Landscape The release of Park Kwang-Su’s 1988 film Chil-su … [Read More]
KCC Screening: Black Republic
The final screening in the Rebels with a Cause season: Black Republic (그들도 우리처럼) Director: Park Kwang-Su (1990, 102 mins) Cast: Moon Sung-keun, Park Joong-hoon, Shim Hye-jin, Hwang Hae Thursday 23 August 2018 7:00 pm @KCCUK | Book tickets Opening on a pitch black screen, we begin to hear a voice: it is the words … [Read More]
Park Kwang-su group interview: “it would be impossible for me to make just light-hearted films”
In this extensive interview, Park Kwang-su discusses his shift from overtly political cinema to mainstream filmmaking, his latest movie Meet Mr. Daddy, censorship, activism, genre, industry change, and his evolving approach to addressing social issues in Korean film. [Read More]
Meet Mr Daddy, and Park Kwang-su, at the Apollo, 29 March.
Park Kwang-su month wraps up with what seems to be a break from the past. Meet Mr Daddy (2007, also known as Shiny Day, 눈부신 날에) was his comeback film, eight years after Uprising. And judging by the trailer it’s a feelgood drama, completely unlike the more serious socially aware films of the 80s and … [Read More]
A Single Spark at the KCC
Park Kwang-su month continues at the KCC with the story of Jeon Tae-il. We’re back on an upward trajectory after last week’s Uprising. A Single Spark (1995) 7pm, 12th March 2012 Director: Park Kwang-su Cast: Park Joong-hoon, Hong Kyoung-in, Kim Bo-kyeong Genre: Political drama Certificate: 15 Running Time: 96 min Venue: The Korean Cultural Centre … [Read More]
Park Kwangsu at the KCC #2: The Uprising
The attractions of today’s second screening of Park Kwang-su month include Lee Jeong-jae in period costume and a brief glimpse of Shim Eun-ha dressed as one of Jeju Island’s famous diving women. But in general people find this particular movie as dull as ditchwater. The Uprising (1999) Director: Park Kwangsu Running Time: 110 mins Date: … [Read More]
Park Kwang-su month kicks off with Chilsu and Mansu, 8 March
The schedule for this month is as follows: 8th: Chilsu and Mansu (1988) 15th: The Uprising (1999) 22nd: A Single Spark (1995) 29th: Meet Mr Daddy (2007) (at the Apollo, with Q&A afterwards) For me, the film I’m most looking forward to out of all the films to be screened this year, at least for … [Read More]
One year, 12 directors, 59 films, 12 Q&As. What could be better?
The KCC have announced their lineup for their much anticipated “Year of the Twelve Directors” – a season unimaginable a few years ago. A very simple concept: four films by the same director, each month giving a mini-retrospective, followed by a Q&A with the director. And a very well-balanced programme it is, featuring veteran directors … [Read More]
The Uprising (이재수의 난, 1999) review: when history drowns in endless exposition
An endless pre-occupation with forced exposition combined with a lack of character depth and, resultantly, next to no character empathy whatsoever, all adds up to The Uprising being dull from start to finish. Not only a waste of the talents of Shim Eun-ha and Lee Jung-jae but, ultimately, also rather a waste of viewers’ time… [Read More]
Korean film – a review of 2007
Jason Bechervaise, founder of koreanfilm.org.uk, gives his perspective on the ups and downs of the Korean film industry in 2007 By all accounts 2007 was a year that has been difficult one for the Korean film industry where it seems that the golden years of the Korean film industry has passed. Rising costs have meant … [Read More]