Kim Jeong-joong (김정중)

Korean World Premieres at PIFF 2008

Source | 2008/09/30 | Permalink |

The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) is putting its weight behind local films this year, and, under the catch-phrase 'Way to Go, Korea!' will host the World Premier of 15 Korean features. Headlining is closing film "I am Happy" by YOON Jong-chan, a psychiatric drama based on a novel by Korean literary giant, the late LEE Chong-jun. The fest runs Oct 2 – 10 in the south-eastern port city of Busan.

PIFF's competition section, New Currents, will see the World Premieres of 3 Korean features. "Land of Scarecrows" is the sophomore effort by NOH Kyeong-tae ("The Last Dining Table"), a poetical cross-section of the lives of Korea's outsiders in pursuit of vanishing dreams. "Members of the Funeral" by BAEK Seung-bin is an HD feature about a family mourning the passing of relative and the memories it triggers, while KIM Tae-gon's "The Pot" focuses on the uncanny happenings surrounding a small family in their new apartment.

In the Korean Cinema Today – Panorama section are sev...| More

Jeonju Wraps with Awards and More

Source | 2007/05/08 | Permalink |

South Korea's best showcase of independent and art-house cinema, the Jeonju International Film Festival, closed May 4th with the Indie Vision Woosuk award of US$10 000 going to Chinese director YING Liang's "The Other Half".

The 9-day festival screened 185 films from 37 countries, this year selling 77 258 tickets, averaging an 80% occupancy rate for theaters, up from 70% last year. The public-friendly festival brought in a total of 76 guest visits to screenings to allow Q & A sessions with audiences.

The JJ-Star Award of US$10 000 for best film in the 'Korean Cinema on the Move' section, went to KIM Jeong-joong's "HERs". The HD feature debut presents the short love stories of four women all named "Gina" or the four love stories of one woman. Set in California, Las Vegas, Alaska, and a small rural town in Korea, Gina/the Ginas pass through these places, longing for someone, and experiencing the passions of love and the pains of loss.

Seongbuk Port by SHIN Min-jae won t...| More