Vera Farmiga (베라 파미가)

US Release of Gina KIM's "Never Forever"

2008/04/10 | Source | Permalink |

South Korean director Gina KIM's third feature, the New York set "Never Forever " (2007), will receive a limited release in select cities across the US this Spring. The US-Korean co-production had its world premiere in the competition section of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. After a release in Korea last June and various festival appearances, the film won the Jury Prize at the 33rd Deauville American Film Festival in France.

The film continues KIM's exploration of the issues of woman's relationship to her own body and bodily desires as laid out in her previous feature "Invisible Light" (2003). Never Forever tells the story of an upper class Caucasian woman living in New York (played by Vera Farmiga) who is unable to conceive a child with her Korean-American husband. As her husband (played by Korean-American actor David McInnis) grows increasingly despondent she attempts to get pregnant by paying a young illegal immigrant from Korea (played by HA Jeong-woo) to have sex with ...| More

Ha Jeong-woo explores his dark side

2008/02/06 | Source | Permalink |

Internationally recognised actor Ha Jeong-woo, explores the dark side of humanity through his take on a serial murderer in "Choogyeokja" ("The Chaser", English translation: "pursuer"). He is tracked down by a shady former detective played by KIM Yoon-seok. First-time feature film director NA Hong-jin was in charge.

The dark thriller examines society and politics through a story that sees a confessed killer released unpunished while touching upon issues as prostitution and corruption.

HA commanded attention with his role in "The Unforgiven", a film praised at international film festivals. He increased his international appeal opposite of Vera Farmiga in Gina Kim's Never Forever.

KIM received praise for his supporting roles in numerous films which earned him this leading role. NA previously directed the short film "A Perfect Red Snapper Dish". Choogyeokja opens on February 14.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)...| More

Never Forever wins jury prize at Deauville

2007/09/13 | Source | Permalink |

Gina KIM's US-Korean co-production "Never Forever" has won the Jury Prize at the 33rd Deauville American Film Festival.

Held in Deauville, France, the annual event is considered a key annual showcase of American cinema, and is well attended by top U.S. directors and stars. The Jury Award is the second-highest honor presented at the festival.

"Never Forever" tells the story of an upper class Caucasian woman living in New York (played by Vera Farmiga) who is unable to conceive a child with her Korean-American husband. After her husband attempts suicide, she contacts a young illegal immigrant from Korea (played by HA Jeong-woo) in an effort to conceive a child.

The film first premiered in competition at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival in January, and it was subsequently released in Korea in June. It was co-produced by the Korean company Now Film.

Gina KIM previously directed the feature "Invisible Light", which premiered at the Locarno International Film Festival, and th...| More

[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Never Forever' explores contract-based sex

2007/06/11 | Source | Permalink |

Contract-based sex is not a revolutionary subject in the film industry. But a talented storyteller can turn a trite topic into a refreshing tale. Such is the reality thrust upon Gina Kim, director of "Never Forever".

"Never Forever", the first Korean-American joint film project, explores the blurred boundary between sex and affection, and director Kim puts her own creative spin on the storyline, showcasing her knack for spotting the complex yet fascinating elements of human emotions.

The film, made by VOX3 Films in New York and Now Film in Seoul, immediately generated a buzz in Korean film circles when it was screened in the main competition section at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the up-and-coming director who has built her reputation fairly quickly at major international film festivals, "Never Forever" has another advantage. One of the film's producers is none other than Lee Chang-dong, a star director and former culture minister, who impressed both Korean an...| More

Korea-US Joint Film Speaks of Love

2007/06/10 | Source | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

"Never Forever" translates onto screen the language of love, through which Korean-American director Gina Kim hopes to connect with the audience. "I wish my film will be a means of establishing mutual understanding with the public", she said during a press conference last Thursday at a Seoul theater.

Before the film's release on June 21, Kim and actor Ha Jeong-woo enthusiastically discussed their work, along with co-producer Lee Chang-dong, the celebrated director of "Secret Sunshine".

Kim, a noted Korean-American rookie filmmaker, also wrote the love story, and explained that "Never" is about mutual understanding.

"Two individuals sharing affection is in the end mutual understanding", she said. "It's not just a simple form of communication. Love equals passion plus compassion, and I believe mutual understanding joins the two elements together", Kim said.

Jointly produced by Korea and the United States, the film traces the emotional journey ...| More