Sisters on the Road (Movie - 2008)

Movie 'My Girlfriend is an Agent' Raises Expectations

Source | 2009/04/27 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Many have been having high hopes for the comedy movie "My Girlfriend is an Agent", which is expected to become as big a hit as "Speedy Scandal" was early this year.

A love story about two special agents from the National Intelligence Service, this movie has recorded reservation rates of over 30 percent on major booking Web sites, such as Maxmovie and Interpark, since its opening on April 22. Moreover, it stands a high chance of topping the box office on the first weekend since its premiere.

"My Girlfriend is an Agent" has received rave reviews for the comical acting of Kim Ha-neul and Kang Ji-hwan, who portray two characters with contrasting personalities and their adventures as they strive to keep a secret.

"Monsters vs. Aliens", the first ambitious 3D production from DreamWorks, has lost many reservations to "My Girlfriend is an Agent". It is currently trailing "My Girlfriend is an Agent" with a reservation rates of 10-20 percent.

Unlike last week, when many new movies op...| More

11th Int'l Women's Film Festival in Seoul

Source | 2009/03/19 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The 11th International Women's Film Festival in Seoul (IWFFIS) kicks offits second decade of femme power this month, bringing 105 films from 23 countries to the Artreon Theater in Sinchon, western Seoul. Under the banner "See the World through Women's Eyes" the event runs April 9 – 16.

Opening the fest is the multi-culturally tense feature Half-Life, which premiered at Sundance last year to rave reviews. The festival's only competition section, Asian Short Film Competition section will screen 18 shorts from around Asia. This year's jury includes Korean actress KONG Hyo-jin, director LEE Mi-yeon, director of the fest opener Jennifer Phang, and Japanese women's film festival chief Yukiko Hibino.

The New Currents section presents 24 features from around the world, including several Korean features. Debut director LEE Kyoung-mi's "Crush and Blush", KIM So-Yong's award-winning "Treeless Mountain", LEE Suk-gyung's "The Day After", and BOO Ji-young's "Sisters on the Road" will scree...| More

The parlous state of the movie industry

Source | 2008/10/09 | 0 comments | Permalink |

'Investment has been too hasty in the past and that has caused problems. But the problem now is a lack of creativity'.

BUSAN - Dark clouds overshadowed the opening of this year's Pusan International Film Festival. The suicide of one of Korea's most beloved actresses, a perceived crisis in the nation's once booming film industry and tensions in the global economy were a distraction that muted the festivities.

When news broke on Day 1 of the festival that the actress Choi Jin-sil had tragically killed herself and rumors circulated as to the cause and the circumstances, several reporters and celebrities canceled their trips at the last minute or returned to Seoul shortly after the festival opened. The sense of loss and despondency in the southern port city was palpable.

A visit to the Asian Film Market, which took place during the festival, seemed to sum up the mood. Last year, 460 film production companies came to Busan - "Busan" was formerly "Pusan" and the film festival reta...| More

Korean World Premieres at PIFF 2008

Source | 2008/09/30 | 0 comments | 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