| 'Modern Boy': Reinterpretation of Japanese Colonialism? (Source) |
2008/09/30 |
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Following the footsteps of "Radio Dayz", "Once Upon a Time" and "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" comes "Modern Boy", another purely entertainment-driven movie set during the Japanese colonial era (1910-45). Gyeongseong, the name of Seoul at the time, is home to flamboyant flappers (so-called "modern boys and girls"), radio stars and charming bandits who aren't necessarily working for Korea's independence.
The symbolic power of cinema is extensive, as it often showcases a given country's aesthetics, technical achievements and entertainment factors, and moreover portrays to varying degrees its cultural, historical and social values. Period pieces in particular become the subject of scrutiny as they speak for the shared history of a people.
A Japanese newspaper made a misleading report about "Modern Boy" and the above-mentioned Gyeongseong movies in January this year. Katsuhiro Kuroda, managing editor of Sankei Shimbun's Seoul branch, announced "the ... |More
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| Music Makes the Movie (Source) |
2008/08/07 |
Rock the Summer Heat With Music-Themed Films
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
The movie theater always provides escapism, and can be a haven ― air-conditioned and entertaining ― from the sultry summer heat. But don't hide from the sun ― why not enjoy a break filled with cinema and live music by the lakeside? The 4th Jecheon International Music Film Festival (JIMFF) will take place Aug. 14-19 in the scenic city in North Chungcheong Province featuring 82 movies from 30 countries as well as 30 live concerts.
While very young, JIMFF has established a reputation as popular getaway, where one can enjoy a silent film with music by a live band by Chungpoong Lake. But more than just a feast for cineastes and audiophiles, the festival is the first of its kind in Korea and Asia, and is out to establish music movies as a recognizable genre like fantastic movies.
Music in Cinema
Music often plays a critical role in cinema ― by heightening the drama, creating an ... |More
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| Korean Films at the 12th PiFan (Source) |
2008/07/18 |
The 12th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) kicks off this July 18 – 27 with the biggest line-up of genre films in Asia. Best of all are the return of high-profile Korean films to the fest and a warmer interaction with the local film industry after setbacks in previous years. KOFIC will again host a Korean film night event, this time an outdoor barbeque reception for guests during the festival.
Two Korean films will vie along with 10 foreign films in PiFan's main competition section Puchon Choice for a variety of cash awards including best feature. First is the critically praised sleeper hit "The Chaser" by NA Hong-jin. The tale of an ex-cop-turned-pimp on the trail of a prostitute-killer, made stars of its two leads, HA Jeong-woo and KIM Yoon-seok.
Also in this section is the World Premiere of new Korean horror, "Death Bell", by debut director CHANG. The HD feature is set in a high school where the brightest 20 students are struggling to survive as cla... |More
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| Jecheon festival looks to blend music and film (Source) |
2008/07/17 |
The fourth Jecheon International Music & Film Festival will kick off its six-day schedule Aug. 14, introducing 82 flicks from 30 countries plus a variety of music performances.
"The festival aims to develop a new genre, putting together music and film, and we expect a fresh momentum this year as we introduce a competition section for the first time", said festival organizing committee head Eom Tae-young at a news conference in Seoul on Tuesday.
JIMFF, started in 2005, is Asia's first music-oriented film event where moviegoers and music lovers can share opportunities to enjoy both. This year it has established a new competition section titled World Music Film Today, where 10 films from nine countries compete to win awards and a cash prize worth $15,000 in a bid to solidify its position as a film festival.
Cho Seong-woo, executive director of the festival, said the slogan for this year, "Jump! JIMFF!" illustrates the organizers' resolve to upgrade the event's status into one spe... |More
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| "Once upon a Time" ideal to start the Lunar New Year (Source) |
2008/02/13 |
Director JEONG Yong-ki's "Once upon a Time" topped the Lunar New Year holiday box office, closely followed by "Forever the Moment" and "Lovers of 6 Years". "The Devil's Game", "Last Present - 2007", and "A Man Who Was Superman" claimed places four to six, respectively. "Radio Dayz" was the seventh Korean film in the top ten at nine.
"Once upon a Time" is a comedy starring PARK Yong-woo and LEE Bo-yeong. "Forever the Moment" - a sports drama with MOON So-ri and KIM Jeong-eun, and directed by LIM Soon -rye - continued its strong box office run. The romantic drama "Lovers of 6 Years" features KIM Ha-neul and YOON Kye-sang, and PARK Hyeon-jin directed.
In "The Devil's Game", YOON In-ho directs SIN Ha-gyoon and BYEON Hee-bong whose characters switch bodies. KIM Yeong-joon's drama "Last Present - 2007" stars SIN Hyeon-joon and HA Ji-won. HWANG Jeong-min plays the titular character in the drama "A Man Who Was Superman". JEON Ji-hyeon also stars and JEONG Yoon-cheol directed. RYOO Seung... |More
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