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]
Event tag: Year of the 12 Directors (page 3)
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]
Reality and fiction intertwine in E J-yong’s deliciously amusing fake documentary Actresses
“Which one did you think is the most beautiful?” It was one obvious conversation opener at the bar after the screening of E J-yong’s Actresses, in which six of Korea’s top actresses aged from their early 20s to their 60s, gather for a Vogue photoshoot in a film which its director calls “part reality show, … [Read More]
E J-yong group interview: “driven by the desire to try something new”
Director E J-yong reflects on his eclectic career, from the minimalist sensuality of An Affair to the stylised provocation of Untold Scandal and Dasepo Naughty Girls. In this group interview, he discusses timeless storytelling, challenging genre conventions, shifting styles, and his enduring curiosity as a filmmaker. [Read More]
E J-yong month concludes with Actresses + Q&A
I’ve been enjoying this month. Even though I only managed to get to one screening of E J-yong’s films at the KCC (which happens to be my favourite one), I’ve used the month as an opportunity rewatch my DVDs of Untold Scandal and Asako in Ruby Shoes – both of which I enjoyed much more … [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]
On rewatching some favourite films: An Affair and Secret Sunshine
Last week, I re-watched two of my all-time favourite Korean films. Or at least, I thought they were. Film number one: E J-yong’s An Affair (1998), which was in the first dozen of Korean films I ever saw. I caught it at the 2001 London Korean Film Festival (yes, there have been Korean Film Festivals … [Read More]
Dasepo Naughty Girls: two hours of colourful mayhem
The KCC’s E J-yong month is shaping up nicely. This coming Thursday is your chance to see Dasepo Naughty Girls, one of those films which is so difficult to categorise. It’s a completely different film from E J-yong’s earlier work such as last week’s subdued romance of An Affair and the Joseon dynasty costume drama … [Read More]
Dasepo Naughty Girls features choreography by Ahn Eun-mi
Watch out for choreography by the amazing Ahn Eun-mi in the song & dance numbers of Dasepo Naughty Girls at the KCC on Thursday http://t.co/IMWsHxGX [Read More]
E J-yong is February’s Director at the KCC. First up, An Affair
After January’s successful focus on Lee Myung-se, February brings another Lee: E J-yong, or Lee Jae-yong (이재용). We start with An Affair (정사, 1998), starring Lee Mi-sook and Lee Jung-jae. It was one of the first Korean films I ever saw, at the 2001 London Korean Film Festival, and got me hooked on the Korean … [Read More]
Lee Myung-se interview: “the next Jacques Tati”?
Director Lee Myung-se reflects on his career from Nowhere to Hide to Duelist and M, discussing cinematic rhythm, memory, fantasy, and balance. In this thoughtful interview, he explores how his style evolves while remaining uniquely his own, and why film should be experienced as pure cinema. [Read More]
Duellist + Lee Myung-se Q&A
The KCC’s Lee Myung-se month comes to an end on Thursday 26 January with a Q&A with the director himself after a screening of The Duellist. Note that to accommodate extra people, the screening is at the Apollo – and needs to be booked via the Apollo box office rather than the KCC reception. Note … [Read More]
‘M’ is the second of Lee Myung-se’s films at the KCC this month
Last week Lee Myung-se’s Nowhere to Hide got the KCC’s New Year film season off to a barnstorming start. This week we move on to M (2007), which was not so well received. “M is a film filled with gorgeous imagery, flights of fancy, and bursts of color,” says Darcy Pacquet in his review over … [Read More]
January is Lee Myung-se month at the KCC
The KCCUK has made some exciting changes to its free film screenings for 2012: The KCCUK Film night has extended to four screenings per month, with special monthly Q&A screening featuring some of Korea’s leading directors. The KCCUK kick this special year off with a a look at director Lee Myung-se with four screenings of … [Read More]