By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
There have been a good number of movies that deal with the agony of being on death row or feature capital punishment as the (un)just consequence of crime.
"
The Executioner", which premiered at the 14th Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival (PIFF) earlier this month, however, delves into the actual process of the death penalty, which involves more than just a quick snap of the neck and a dead body (hanging is still the method used in South Korea).
In his feature directorial debut,
Choi Jin-ho ("Reunion", which competed at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival) invites viewers to step into the shoes of prison staff who must carry out the actual deed.
The film poses some big ethical questions but manages to be clear cut in eliciting specific emotional responses from the audience. Nevertheless, "Executioner" gets caught in a sort of muddled gray zone; it's too formulaically mainstream for art...
MoreBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
"
Radio Star", the musical version of the hit film, was named Best Musical at the third Daegu Musical Awards Monday.
The awards ceremony marked the end of the Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF), which ran from June 15 to July 6. A total of 24 were staged during the 22-day festival period.
"
Radio Star" is about the life and friendship of a washed up but arrogant rock star and his naive manager who dreams of the star's comeback. It featured ref...
More
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Park Chan-wook's latest work
"Thirst", like other great movies, makes you forget you're watching one, and you won't be able to stop it from shaking up every cell in your body unless you dart for the exit. Park-brand films are undoubtedly an acquired taste, and this vampire-priest story, slated to compete in Cannes next month, is certainly not for those with weak stomachs. Nor is it, despite being replete with tasteful humor only
Song Kang-ho ("
Secret Sunshine") can pull off and being the first South Korean film to be co-produced by a major Hollywood studio, for those seeking light-hearted entertainment.
This reporter admits having had to close her eyes and plug her ears for some of the extreme scenes, but still had the ultimate audiovisual experience discovering ironic amusement and empathizing with the protagonist's frenetic actions, disillusionment and despair, listless surrender and dissipation, and, finally, spiritual transformation.
In this story inspired by Emile Zola's "Therese Raquin", Park creates a sinister parallel universe where 19th-century French realism and the Western vampire myth melt naturally into modern South Korea. Visually, things are familiar yet exotic, with local Catholic churches evoking a European flair; gaudy, outdated boutiques that are set in a Japanese colonial-era style home; and striking claustrophobic spaces a la Stanley Kubrick.
Regard...
More
Korea's top woman filmmaker
Lim Soon-rye, director of 2008's first local hit, "
Forever the Moment", is back in 2009 with her fourth feature, "
Fly, Penguin" which will have its world premiere at the 10th Jeonju International Film Festival in the Korean Feature Competition section.
The feature stars award-winning actress ...
MoreWinners of the 2007 KBS Drama Awards
▶The Best Actor :
Choi Soo-jong ("
Dae Jo Yeong")
▶Best Actor/Actress :
Lee Deok-hwa ("
Dae Jo Yeong"),
Kim Hyeon-joo ("
In-soon is Pretty"),
Chae Rim ("
Dalja's Spring")
▶Excellence in a Mini-Drama (Wed-Thurs drama) – Male/Female :
Kang Ji-hwan ("
Capital Scandal"),
Lee Da-hae ("
Hello, Miss"),
Han Ji-min ("
Capital Scandal")
▶Excellence in Weekend Series – Male/Female) :
Jang Hyeon-seong ("
Golden Era of Daughter in Law"),
Yoon Jeong-hee (
"A Happy Woman")
▶Excellence in a Serial Drama – Male/Female :
Park Hae-jin ("
By Land and Sky"),
Han Ji-hye ("
Likable or Not" ("I Hate You, But It's Fine"))
▶Netizens' Choice :
Choi Soo-jong ("
Dae Jo Yeong"),
Han Ji-min ("
Capital Scandal")
▶Best Couple Award =
Kim Ji-hoon-I -
Lee Soo-kyeong ("
Golden Era of Daughter in Law"),
Kang Ji-hwan -
Han Ji-min ("
Capital Scandal"),
Park Hae-jin -
Han Hyo-joo ("
By Land and Sky")
▶Excellence in one act drama – Male/Female :
Park In-hwan ("Drama City"),
Yoo In-yeong ("Drama City"),
Jeon Ye-seo ("Drama City")
▶Child – Male/Female :
Choi Woo-hyuk ("
Capital Scandal", "Hometown over the hill"), Kim Ye-won ("The Innocent Woman")
▶Best supporting actor/Actres...
More
