Berlinale Invites Seven Korean Films

A total of seven Korean films are selected to screen at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival, running February 5 -15 in the German capital. Korean films will dominate this year's Forum section. The sidebar consists of five Korean titles: "Land of Scarecrows", "Members of the Funeral", "My Dear Enemy", and "Treeless Mountain".

Recently announced was the addition of Min Gyoo-dong's third feature "Antique", which will screen in the Culinary Cinema section. MIN, who debuted with the critically praised horror "Memento Mori" (1999) and the 2005 hit "All for Love" ("My Lovely Week"), studied film in France. His latest feature revolves around four handsome young men and a cake-shop.

"Land of Scarecrows" is Noh Kyeong-tae's second effort after his bold experimental "The Last Dining Table" which was awarded at Pusan International Film Festival and Seoul Independent Film Festival. His early experimental short films "Father and Son", and "Reincarnation" are also multi-awarded films. "Land of Scarecrows" debuted at the 2008 Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) and won the New currents award.

Baek Seung-bin directed the successful short film "The French Lieutenant's Woman" which played at several film festivals. With his feature film directorial debut "Members of the Funeral", he confirms his status as an emerging director on the world stage. Members of the Funeral received the NETPAC award at last year's PIFF.

Acclaimed director Lee Yoon-ki returns to Berlin with "My Dear Enemy". Both his debut feature "This Charming Girl" and third film "Ad-Lib Night" were invited to Berlin in previous years. "My Dear Enemy" stars 2008 Festival de Cannes' Best actress ("Secret Sunshine") Jeon Do-yeon and 2008's emergent star Ha Jeong-woo ("The Chaser").

Lee Suk-gyung's first shot at directing a feature film landed her a spot at one of the most prestigious film festivals. With "The Day After" she graduates to feature films after previously directing the short film "Once Again".

USA/KOREA production "Treeless Mountain" is Kim So-yong's sophomore project after being praised for "In Between Days". "Treeless Mountain" portrays two young sisters who are shuffled about from their hapless mother to an alcoholic aunt and on to their agrarian based grandparents. The film has screened at numerous festivals already winning Best Film at Dubai and the Jury prize at Tokyo FILMeX.

And the only short, "Blooming in Spring" directed by JUNG Ji-yeon is invited to Generation 14-plus . This film won the KODAK short film production grant and was acclaimed for Wide Angle section at Pusan International Film Festival.

Yi Ch'ang-ho / Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)