Synopsis: Dong-hyun (Han Suk-gyu), a radio DJ, has recently been dumped by his girlfriend. Lovelorn and scorned his mood is lifted when he receives a copy of a vinyl Velvet Underground LP thinking that it is a gift from his ex. Since it holds a special meaning for his demised relationship, he plays Pale Blue … [Read More]
People: Han Suk-gyu
The Berlin File – so slick it’s really rather dull
A plot which involves a dodgy international arms deal, a secret multibillion dollar bank account belonging to the extended family of Kim Jong-il and a power struggle in the wake of Kim Jong-un’s succession. A list of characters which includes operatives from the CIA, Mossad, and both North and South Korean security agencies, plus would-be … [Read More]
The Berlin File (베를린, 2013) review: a high-octane journey through espionage, loyalty and humanity
‘The Berlin File’ is at once a tale of political intrigue and a dissection of North and South Korean attitudes to humanity, morals and freedom all wrapped up in a high-octane thriller. While the ultimate narrative destination can largely be predicted, in this case the journey is equally as important, if not more so. [Read More]
Double Agent (이중간첩, 2003) review: loyalty, ideology and the cost of devotion
Set against Cold War tensions between North and South Korea, Double Agent examines absolute ideological loyalty, personal sacrifice and betrayal. Though flawed, Double Agent resolutely shows that it doesn’t need CGI pyrotechnics or secret agent gadgets to be an engaging spy thriller throughout. [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]
Scarlet Letter screens at the KCC
The second of two films featuring the late actress Lee Eun-ju is The Scarlet Letter (주홍글씨, dir Byeon Hyeok, 2004). This was Lee’s last film, and it was said that the film contributed to the depression which led her to commit suicide. Also starring Han Suk-gyu. Synopsis Strong and confident detective Gi-hun is married to … [Read More]
Alienation and industrialisation in Green Fish
Matthew Jackson encounters Lee Chang Dong for the first time “Good, but gruelling” was Jason Bechervaise’s summary of the film for me in the lift in on the way up to the screening of ‘Green Fish’ at the Cultural Centre on Thursday night. I later learned this film had been the subject of his dissertation, … [Read More]
Christmas in August (8월의 크리스마스, 1998) review: unspoken love and quiet heartbreak
Hur Jin-ho’s landmark melodrama eschews gushing sentimentality for a delicate, understated exploration of love and mortality. One of his most accessible films, and his most famous, Christmas in August is a heartfelt, poignant and affecting story of love and loss, in which the words “I love you” never need to be said. [Read More]
The Scarlet Letter (주홍글씨, 2004) review: desire, deception and the cost of temptation
The Scarlet Letter is an utterly gripping work showing the darker side of love and the consequences of surrendering completely to lust and temptation, using explicit sexuality in a tragic study of identity, power and consequences. It also serves as a tribute to the talent of the late Lee Eun-joo. [Read More]