| [DVDs] 'Blood Rain:' Pouring Red |
2009/11/11 |
Costume drama meets violent film noir
Kyu Hyun Kim (qhyunkim)
The film opens in 19th century Korea, the late Joseon period. A small island off the coast of Seoul, known for the production of high-quality paper, it is commissioned by the court, is visited by the special prosecutor Won-kyu (Cha Seung-won) and his men, after a suspected arson burns down a freighter and its shipment of valuable papers.
Soon Won-kyu finds himself embroiled in an island-wide conspiracy and a murder investigation, as those rumored to be responsible for the frame-up and gruesome execution of Commissioner Kang (Cheon Ho-jin) several years ago are killed off in equally horrendous ways: boiled alive in a dyeing kettle, having his skull crushed by a rock, and so on.
Neither the old yangban owner of the paper mill (Oh Hyeon-kyeong) nor his cynical son Kim In-kwon (Park Yong-woo) seems happy to have an outsider like Won-kyu meddle in the affairs of the island.
Meanwhile, the beautiful local shaman (Cho... |More
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| Korean Presence 12th Shanghai Int'l Fest (Source) |
2009/06/12 |
The 12th edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is underway June 13 -21 with Korean presence strong throughout including 2 films in competition, and a retrospective on veteran director IM Kwon-taek who will also preside over the 5-member Asian New Talent international jury.
Korean film "Rough Cut" by debut director JANG Hoon competes alongside 15 features in the main international award section for various Jin Jue awards. Jin Jue jury president this year is Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle. Korean producer OH Jungwan will also serve on this year's jury.
In the Asian New Talent competition section is hit Korean comedy "Scandal Makers" ("Speedy Scandal"), the directing debut by KANG Hyeong-cheol. The international jury, led by IM, will select the best feature and best director for awards worth RMB 150,000 each.
A special retrospective on the master director will include some of IM's most highly regarded works. From his 80s period is Venice-w... |More
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| Local Films to Shine at Cannes Fest (Source) |
2009/05/10 |
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
A total of 10 Korean movies will be shown at the Cannes International Film Festival from May 13-24, marking the highest number of local films ever to be included in the prestigious event's roster.
The first local film ever to be invited to the event was Lee Doo-yong's "Moul Le Ya Moul Le Ya" for the Un Certain Regard section in 1984, and since then, more than 40 local works have been presented at the southern French port city over the past 20 years.
One of the most anticipated films this year is Park Chan-wook's "Thirst", which is vying for the Palme d'Or, the highest prize given to competing films, as well as the Best Actor and Actress Awards. The movie about the vampire-turned-priest has been captivating audiences here, attracting more than 600,000 fans during the first three days of its release.
The entry to the Palme d'Or is significant, as it was only eight years ago when the first Korean film, "Chunhyang" by veteran director Im Kwon-ta... |More
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| Real Army Role for Actor Jo Seung-woo (Source) |
2008/12/16 |
Actor Jo Seung-woo, a musical star of "Jekyll and Hyde" and "Man of La Mancha" who also starred in a number of popular movies such as "The War of Flower" and "Running Boy" ("Marathon"), entered the Nonsan Training Center on Monday afternoon.
Jo kept the date secret because he "wanted to start his military duty quietly". Jo said he will be alright, waved and smiled at those who saw him off in front of the Training Center.
Jo is one of the most sought-after musical actors in Korea. After he finished shooting "The Sword with No Name" at the end of November, Jo cut his hair short.
Those who bought tickets to Tuesday's show of musical "Jekyll and Hyde" at the LG Art Center in Seoul can still see him, as interviews of actors and actresses from the show will be screened as a celebration of the 300th rendition of the musical since 2004, when Jo first took up the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde role.
In an interview conducted before entering the army, Jo said, "I can't believe 'Jekyll and Hyde'... |More
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| IM Kwon-taek's 101st to premiere at Jeonju Fest |
2008/08/14 |
Prolific and renowned director IM Kwon-taek is working on his 101st project titled "Son" (English translation: "hand"), the film will premiere at next year's Jeonju International Film Festival in May. The scenario is in the hands of LEE Seung-ho, the writer of LEE Myeong-se's "Duelist" and "M".
"Son" will be a melancholic road movie about the search for a person with 'skilled hands' in making hanji, traditional Korean paper. The film will interweave multiple storylines.
With "Son", IM continues developing his oeuvre of films contemplating on traditional Korean culture in a modern world and traditional Korean folk stories.
IM's previous film was "Beyond the Years", a film related to his most successful work Sopyonje. He won Best Director award at Festival de Cannes 2002 for "Chihwaseon" ("Strokes of Fire"). Both "Chunhyang" and "Chihwaseon" ("Strokes of Fire") were candidates for Cannes' Palme d'Or.
IM is a celebrated director in Korea and Europe. His latest European dist... |More
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