Kim Tae-gyoon (김태균)

National Tragedy Becomes Personal in Director Kim's 'Crossing'

2008/06/27 | Source | Permalink |

Director Kim Tae-gyoon looked satisfied; the anxiety and tension so apparent just a few months ago had vanished. "This is the first time that I've ever been told 'thank you' by viewers since I made my debut in 1996", he said softly, his voice cracking, in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo.

Kim's latest work, "Crossing", opens this week. Starring Cha In-pyo as a North Korean man and Sin Myeong-cheol as his son, the film delves into the dismal realities of North Korean human rights and refugees. It is a tragic drama about a man who escapes a North Korean mining village to search for medicine for his dying wife, but keeps failing to reunite with his family.

As recently as March it was unclear whether "Crossing" would get to be shown in theaters. But as glowing reports about special screenings, including one at the U.S. Library of Congress, began to spread, public attention blossomed. After viewing the film, a priest told Kim that he felt as if his conscience had experienced a "solem...| More

To participate to HanCinema, you must sign up or log in. Sign up, Why ?

A true tale of escape from North Korea

2008/06/25 | Source | Permalink |

Expect some tears to well up in your eyes. "Crossing", directed by Kim Tae-gyoon, is coming out tomorrow.

The film is a desperate journey for survival. North Korean defector Yong-soo (Cha In-pyo) crosses the Tumen River, which lies on the boundary between the reclusive nation and China, to escape his brutal homeland.

There, he hopes to earn money for his frail, pregnant wife and starving son, Joon (Sin Myeong-cheol).

His original aim was to cross back to the North with some money and medicine. But before he knows it, he is joining a group of other North Koreans entering the German Embassy in Shenyang, in northeastern China, and eventually ends up in South Korea.

Yong-soo misses his family, and saves up money in the hope of going back to them. Later on, however, he finds out that his wife is already dead and that Joon is on a quest to join his father.

The story isn't fictional.

It's roughly based on the true trials of Yoo Sang-jun, an actual North Korean defector who b...| More

To participate to HanCinema, you must sign up or log in. Sign up, Why ?

Film depicting father-son N. Korean defectors to open

2008/06/19 | Source | Permalink |

The temporary division of the Korean peninsula made at the end of the Second World War was made permanent at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. Korea is still two – North and South – to this date.

In recent years, the number of North Korean defectors has been increasing and every year over 1,000 North Koreans defect to South Korea via China or Southeast Asian nations every year.

In total about 10,000 North Koreans currently live in South Korea.

Despite a growing number of North Koreans who risk their lives to find asylum in South Korea, the refugee issue has rarely gotten attention in the media here, much less on the silver screen.

Since the issue can be regarded as politically sensitive, few movies have tackled the issue so far. But a soon to be released picture is about to shine the spotlight on the arduous and risky process of defectors coming south.

Crossing, directed by Kim Tae-gyoon deals with the miserable reality faced ...| More

To participate to HanCinema, you must sign up or log in. Sign up, Why ?

[Talk of the town] Life history of satirical artist goes into production, and more

2008/06/17 | Source | Permalink |

"Portrait of a Beauty", an upcoming romantic film about gifted artists during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) started its 10-day shoot in Andong, North Gyeongsang, a city is known for its historic scenery.

The movie is based on the true-life story of the artist Shin Yun-bok, whose paintings satirized yangban, or noblemen, during the latter half of the 18th century.

The film sees Shin (Kim Min-seon) dress as a man, since female artists in those days had to battle male chauvinism. Shin's teacher, Kim Hong-do (Kim Yeong-ho), provides the love interest.


Album sales to support starving North Korean kids

Actor Cha In-pyo and some 40 popular singers including In Soon-e and Park Sang-min will record a joint album, "Cry with Us", to help raise money for North Korean children.

The shortage of food in North Korea is an on-going global issue and all proceeds from album sales will go to help relieve the crisis, according to Korea Entertainment Producer's Association on Monday.

...| More

To participate to HanCinema, you must sign up or log in. Sign up, Why ?

North Koreans depicted with rare realism

2008/06/12 | Source | Permalink |

"Crossing", directed by Kim Tae-gyoon, does not shoot for a box-office jackpot as other mainstream movies do.

The production team, in fact, knows very well that the movie's serious theme - a realistic depiction of North Koreans - is unlikely to translate into big revenues.

But the movie aims high when it comes to the plight of North Koreans. Ranging from perilous border crossings to horrifying gulags to arduous resettlement in the South, the movie's realistic details are sharpened to perfection.

For North Korean defectors here, the movie means something more than a cinematic storytelling. At a special preview event in Seoul last Thursday, about 180 North Korean defectors watched the film, and many of them were crying during the screening. They seemed struck by the powerful images - scenes that inevitably bring back the dark memories of their life in the North.

"I had some doubts about this event because my movie might reopen the painful wounds inflicted on those who have de...| More

To participate to HanCinema, you must sign up or log in. Sign up, Why ?