Land of Scarecrows (Movie - 2008)

From a securities firm to the big screen

Source | 2009/07/09 | 0 comments | Permalink |

An ambitious young Korean graduates from a science high school, studies industrial engineering and then takes a job at a major domestic securities company.

Longing for something else, he leaves to study film in the United States, eventually returns to his home country and makes two films that vault him into the list of up-and-coming directors.

It's a story line fit for a movie itself. But this is not fiction, it's the tale of 37-year-old Korean director Noh Kyeong-tae, who is quickly making a name for himself in the movie industry.

After studying at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Noh eventually worked for two years as a securities dealer before leaving for the United States to study film.

It wasn't necessarily an impromptu decision, though, as he had long had dreams of making a film like "Batman". In the United States, Noh studied experimental films at Columbia College in Chicago and the San Francisco Art Institute, which opened his eyes to an area ...| More

Korean Movies Draw Attentions at Cannes Film Festival

Source | 2009/05/15 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Korean films have never been this prolific at the world-renowned French film festival in Cannes before. At this year's 62nd Cannes Film Festival (May 13 to 24) a total of 10 Korean films will be screened.

One of the most attention-grabbing films from Korea is director Park Chan-wook's "Thirst" about a priest-turned-vampire. This film once again, highlights Park's unique storytelling and sensational imagery. The movie premieres on Friday (May 15). It will be competing for the Palme d'Or, the highest honor at Cannes along with 19 other candidates and the winner will be announced on May 24.

Park already won the Grand Prix with his movie "Old Boy" in 2004. "Thirst" was sold to foreign buyers from Brazil, Spain and Turkey upon its second day at the festival. The film was sold to 10 nations including France and Greece prior to its release at home, where it attracted nearly 2 million viewers.

Director Bong Joon-ho will also take part in the festival with his new film "Mother - 2009" ...| More

Local Films to Shine at Cannes Fest

Source | 2009/05/10 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

A total of 10 Korean movies will be shown at the Cannes International Film Festival from May 13-24, marking the highest number of local films ever to be included in the prestigious event's roster.

The first local film ever to be invited to the event was Lee Doo-yong's "Moul Le Ya Moul Le Ya" for the Un Certain Regard section in 1984, and since then, more than 40 local works have been presented at the southern French port city over the past 20 years.

One of the most anticipated films this year is Park Chan-wook's "Thirst", which is vying for the Palme d'Or, the highest prize given to competing films, as well as the Best Actor and Actress Awards. The movie about the vampire-turned-priest has been captivating audiences here, attracting more than 600,000 fans during the first three days of its release.

The entry to the Palme d'Or is significant, as it was only eight years ago when the first Korean film, "Chunhyang" by veteran director Im Kwon-ta...| More

Korean Master and 12 Features in Hong Kong

Source | 2009/03/06 | 0 comments | Permalink |

One of Korean cinema's early masters and one of the most important directors of the 60s and 70s, YU Hyun-mok, 84, will receive a retrospective at the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF). The event, which opens March 22, will feature four of the director's finest films under the title 'The Realist Dao of YU Hyun-mok'.

Included are YU's first masterpiece, "The Aimless Bullet" (1961), voted by Korean critics as the best Korean film of all time; the moving and sensuous "Daughters of the Kim Pharmacy" (1963), based on a classic Korean novel; the cynical, modernist color gem "The Guests on the Last Train" (1967) and the tense, cold war microcosm, "Rainy Days" (1979).

Contemporary Korean films playing at the fest number eight this year. Indie favorite, "Daytime Drinking", was selected to compete in HKIFF's Asia Digital Competition section. The low budget debut feature by NOH Young-seok has drawn notice after winning at the Jeonju Int'l Film Fest and receiving a North...| More

6 Korean Films to Screen at Berlin Festival

Source | 2009/01/30 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The film "Antique" by Min Gyoo-dong has been invited to this year's 59th Berlin International Film Festival.

Based on a bestselling manga of the same title, the film will be shown out of competition in a themed section named Culinary Cinema.

"My Dear Enemy" by Lee Yoon-ki, "Land of Scarecrows" by Noh Kyeong-tae, "Members of the Funeral" by Baek Seung-bin, "The Day After" by Lee Suk-gyung and "Treeless Mountain" by Kim So-yong have been invited to the festival's Forum section.

"Antique", stars Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Jae-wook, Andy Gillet, Yoo Ah-in, and Choi Ji-ho. ...| More