Park Chan-ok (박찬옥)

Seo Woo Courted by Foreign Directors

Source | 2009/10/27 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Actress Seo Woo is being courted by foreign movie directors after "Paju", a film in which she starred with actor Lee Seon-gyoon, screened during the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) earlier this month.

According to Sports Hankook, the sister paper of The Korea Times, Seo, 21, had already been asked to appear in movies to be directed by American and Dutch directors.

An official with the actress' agency was quoted as saying, "We have been offered twice. But we have not decided on appearance yet. She will take a rest for the time being before choosing the next film. We will also consider going abroad".

Sports Hankook quoted a movie analyst as saying, "Ms. Seo has been recognized highly for her acting in the movie. She was all the more charming because Eun-mo, which she played in `Paju', remained an enigmatic figure".

Seo was among the group of Korean actors who visited Busan during PIFF as "Paju" competed in the New Currents section. The movie, directed by Park Chan-ok...| More

Lee Seon-gyoon Comments on His Role in 'Paju'

Source | 2009/10/26 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Actor Lee Seon-gyoon, who plays Jung-shik in Park Chan-ok's movie "Paju", was never known as a romantic guy. Jung-shik is a man who has to live with his deep wounds and sense of guilt. Lee describes his character as a "big person" who he didn't want to approach in an emotional way.

To Lee, "Paju" is a milestone, which he set by portraying Jung-shik, a former athlete who falls in love with his sister-in-law. It was Lee's first big-screen leading role, which has also become his favorite one and which demanded a higher degree of responsibility. "It was the most fulfilling role by far, " said Lee.

Lee said, "I wanted to play a more 'film-y' and inspirational role. I wanted to approach acting from a more serious perspective. Director Park Chan-ok has a very keen eye. I wanted to work with her and I made the right decision".

Lee says he was unable to study his character in more detail because of a time limit. His scenes were shot in an apartment building that was subject to demoliti...| More

Six filmmakers confront the struggle of the second time

Source | 2009/10/22 | 0 comments | Permalink |

'These budding directors shot their first films when Korean cinema was at its peak, so it's no wonder they now feel pressure'. -PIFF programmer

The "sophomore slump" refers to when a second effort fails to meet the standards or expectations of the first. It affects bands, performers and artists of all types - and movie directors are no exception.

Six emerging Korean directors discussed the pressure and the anxiety they felt while making their second films, as well as the challenges of dealing with the changing landscape of filmmaking in Korea at "Open Talk No. 2" during the Pusan International Film Festival, which closed its nine-day run last Friday.

The six directors - Park Chan-ok, Lee Song-hee-il, Lee Seong-han, Lee Hae-joon, Kim Tae-sik and Kim Dong-won-I - first gained recognition for their debut features at previous Pusan film festivals, and returned to this year's event with their second works.

"I feel like I keep growing through filmmaking, even though growing up is...| More

"Paju" To Be Released Oct 29

Source | 2009/10/22 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Korean distributor MK Pictures is to release PARK Chan-ok's second feature, "Paju", which recently had its World Premiere in competition at the Pusan International Film Festival where it won the NETPAC award. A release date on select screens across the nation is set for October 29.

Starring LEE Seon-gyoon ("Sa-kwa"), SEO Woo ("Crush and Blush"), Sim I-yeong, and Kim Bo-kyeong, it is an atmospheric tale of a schoolgirl (SEO) in love with her sister's husband (LEE). When her sister dies mysteriously, she suspects him of murder and complex emotions arise between them.

The film played to positive and highly impressed reviews during the festival with SEO's performance a highlight. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that "Seo delivers one of the most believable depictions of conflicted female emotion as has ever been put on film in Korea".

Screen International said of director PARK, "This should help to cement Park's reputation as one of Korea's most talented art-house directors" ...| More

14th PIFF Wraps With Awards

Source | 2009/10/22 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) wrapped Friday Oct 16 with an awards ceremony followed by closing film The Message, in its international premiere. Co-directed by Taiwan's CHEN Kuo-fu and China's GAO Qunshu, the lavish period epic is a suspenseful spy thriller set in the tense political climate of China in 1942.

Attendance to this year's PIFF was strong with 173,516 theater admissions and 7,270 accredited guests and press, including 860 international participants. PIFF's top prize, the New Currents Award, was shared again this year by two films.

Winners were "I'm in Trouble" by South Korean debut director SO Sang-min - a subtle and controlled comic-drama about the meanderings of a jobless young poet, and the Iraqi feature Kick Off by Shawkat Amin KORKI, about an Iraqi-Kurdish community that finds inspiration in football. The latter also picked up the FIPRESCI award.

A Special Mention went to Squalor by Giuseppe Bede SAMPEDRO of the Philippines. New comp...| More