I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (Movie - 2006)

World Beware: The Wizard is Coming this Summer

Source | 2009/06/05 | Permalink |

Korea's own super hero movie "Jeon Woo-chi" is set for release this summer. The movie is highly anticipated not just because of its colloquial superhero themes but its super star cast and director. Choi Dong-hoon known for the colourfully large "War of the Flower" (2006) and "The Big Swindle" (2004) helms this ambitious Taoist action film feat. Equally as well known as Choi are its actors who are mainstays in Korean cinema. Kang Dong-won, young star of 'M' (2007) and The "Duelist" (2005) plays the mischievous time transported hero fighting against Kim Yoon-seok the detective anti hero in last year's surprise hit, thriller "The Chaser" (2008). Im Soo-Jeong from Kim Jee-woon's "A Tale of Two Sisters" fame and Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Ok" also appears in the film along with Yoo Hae-jin who worked with Choi on "War of the Flower" and a host of other films.

Even though a superhero flick, Cho Dong-hoon has taken the familiar family genre, fused it with Korean h...| More

Park Chan-wook of 'Thirst' Receives Jury Award at Cannes Festival

Source | 2009/05/27 | Permalink |

Park Chan-wook has been given an award at the Cannes Film Festival. He said, "I felt like I had already received an award when I was invited to compete with the world's best filmmakers, but after I received big applause at the gala screening and then a real award, it's like I've received three awards in all". His movie "Thirst" earned him the jury award at the 62nd Cannes International Festival.

In an interview on May 25 at a hotel in Cannes, he said that of all the ovations he has received so far the ovation that he received in Cannes this time was the greatest. "Awards aside, I just prayed that viewers won't ridicule my movie or leave the theater during the middle. I was happy to see them like my movie", said Park.

Park, who received the first jury award in 2004 for his movie "Old Boy", snatched another one five years later, strengthening his status as a world-renowned filmmaker. On the question on whether or not he was upset because he didn't receive a more prestigious award, ...| More

Korean Movie "Thirst" Wins Cannes Award

Source | 2009/05/25 | Permalink |

The new movie "Thirst" by Korea's renowned director Park Chan-wook won one of the three main awards of the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
The film a dark story about a priest-turned-vampire who struggles against his bloodthirsty instincts won the jury prize at the Cannes on Sunday being praised as a "unique noir film" by jurors.
This marks Park Chan-wook's second Cannes award after he took home the Grand Jury Prize with the revenge thriller "Old Boy" in 2004.
This win represents his third prize at an international film festival as his science fiction comedy "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Ok" garnered him the Alfred Bauer Prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 2007.
In his acceptance speech Park said that for him the joy of creating is the main engine that enables him to make movies adding that he wants to share the honor with his close friend and colleague Song Kang-ho who starred in the movie.
Eight Korean movies have been entered as candidates at the Cannes Film Festival and "Thirst" has b...| More

Park's 'Thirst' Is Riveting

Source | 2009/04/26 | Permalink |

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...| More

Park Chan-wook Explores Self, Dream in 'Thirst'

2009/03/31 | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Recently, celebrated cineastes like Lee Chang-dong ("Secret Sunshine") and top stars Jeon Do-yeon and "Rain", among many others, were seen visiting the set of Park Chan-wook's much talked-about feature, "Thirst". The film's trailer was revealed for the first time before the press, Tuesday, in Seoul, before its release April 30.

It was indeed novel to see the all-too-familiar, yet distinctly foreign, theme of Universal Pictures opening the impressionable clip. "Thirst" is the first South Korean film to be co-produced and distributed by a major Hollywood studio.

"I'm not so sure how it happened", Park told the crowded press room regarding Korean giant CJ Entertainment's partnership with Universal. In a video clip provided by organizers, Universal's Focus Features CEO James Shamus said he was "desperate to in some small way be part of this incredible filmmaking genius' work".

"I don't expect big results like grossing high in the American box off...| More