Controlling investment, production, distribution and screenings, so-called "film chaebol" dominate the Korean cinema with such films as (top, from left) "A Werewolf Boy", "The Thieves" and "Masquerade". At a disadvantage are small producers of films like (bottom, from left) "Pieta", "Touch", "We Need to Talk About Kevin" and "Searching for Sugar Man".
* This is the second and last of a two-part series on the state of Korea's film industry, focusing on the expanding control of conglomerates.
For the Korean movie industry, 2012 has been a very good year...More
(Above picture: Scenes from "The Crucible" - Photos courtesy of CJ E&M)
In 2011, Korean films brought attention to the individuals and issues that have otherwise remained unaddressed, underrepresented, or simply unexplored. While the questions posed by these films varied, provoking responses ranging from angry shock to laughter and sympathy, all called for a collective reconsideration of the social dynamics and relationships that can be found in Korean society today.
The film Dogani, also known as "The Crucible", is based on actual events that took place at a Gwangju school for the hearing-impaired, where young students were the victims of repeated sexual assaults by faculty members over a period of five years. Depicting both the crimes and the court proceedings that let the teachers off with minimal punishment, the film sparked public outrage upon its September release, which eventually resulted in a reopening of the investigations into the incidents. With over 4 million people in Korea having watched the film, the demand for legislative reform reached all the way to the National Assembly, where a revised bill, dubbed the "The Crucible" Bill, was passed in late October to abolish the statute of limitations for sex crimes against minors and the disabled...More
Also known as "A Time to Love" Synopsis Since 2007, Jeonju International Film Festival has promoted Korean short films planned with its Short! Short! Short! Project that supports short films of talented, young Korean directors. The Short! Short! Short! Project is produced by Indiestory Inc., and co-provided by KT&G Sangsangmadang, Jeonju International Film Festival, and Indiestory Inc. It is a new method of short film production project where three short films are produced in an omnibus type film and screened in theaters...More
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)'s Asian Film Market opened yesterday for the first time in its new venue at the Busan Exhibition Convention Center (BEXCO). The market has reported a 67% increase in sales booths and a 24% increase in participant registration since last year...More
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC), the Korea Movie and Video Industry Association (KMVIA) and the Korean Film Producers Association led 108 companies and organizations in a Declaration for the Normalization for Online Film Distribution on July 27.
The declaration called for online service providers to stop the illegal circulation of films. It also demanded they stop indirect technical protection of piracy and the omission of legal sales figures. It strongly demanded they adhere to guidelines for the normalization of online copyright protection. Lastly, the declaration warned online service providers that the film industry would, in collaboration, henceforth take strict and rigorous action if they did not...More
Subscribe to HanCinema Pure to remove ads (not for episodes) for US$2.99 per month (you can cancel anytime).
The first step is to sign up as a member, please click here : Sign up, then a subscribe button will show.
Submit your article, review, analysis on HanCinema news stream
You're reading the news with potential spoilers, 
