Since 1987, Los Angeles' AFI Fest has presented some of the world's most celebrated films, this year boasting 148 movies from 37 countries--a testament to its call for diversity and universal celebration of the art form. Among the screenings at this year's event is "Secret Sunshine", a Korean drama directed by Lee Chan-dong, former Korean Minister of Culture. The film's leading actress, Jeon Do-yeon, recently earned a Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. The 21st annual AFI Fest will be held from Nov. 1-11 in Los Angeles, where it originated from the American Film Institute.
Lee's Secret Sunshine is about the struggle of a gentle soul tormented by suffering and the question of salvation. A young widow, Shin-ae (Jeon), moves from Seoul to her late husband's hometown, Milyang. A literal translation of the name of the city's surrounding province led to the English title.
Even though Shin-ae does not receive a warm welcome, Shin-ae settles in as a piano instructor and finds a new life – including a shy admirer, played by Song Kang-ho. But tragedy has completely behind her; Shin-ae's son is kidnapped and killed by a psychotic bus driver. Grief-stricken, Shin-ae desperately clutches to Christianity, a minority religion in Korea. The following developments pose questions about the line between madness and spiritual belief, while giving a rather a skeptical portrait of Christianity in Korea.
Emotionally disturbing and painful, yet deeply moving and an impressive movie, "Secret Sunshine" will be presented to the audience twice during the festival, on Nov. 2 and 4, at the Arclight Theater in Hollywood. The much-anticipated film Lions for Lambs will open the first night and launch the festival. A political thriller, the movie is directed by Robert Redford and stars Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Redford himself. The screenings of 97 other features and 51 short films will follow. Love in the Time of Cholera is confirmed for the closing night.
Tthis year's AFI Fest has yet another special event for young aspiring filmmakers: Samsung's Fresh Films, the nations' largest teen filmmaking program, will present the inaugural Youth Fest 2007, which showcases the work of aspiring teenage filmmakers. Starting at 9 a.m. on Nov. 3, there will be screenings of films produced by its artists and an indie-movie making discussion. Jeremy Coon, producer and editor of Napoleon Dynamite, will be present.
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