Spare (Movie - 2008)

Six filmmakers confront the struggle of the second time

Source | 2009/10/22 | 0 comments | Permalink |

'These budding directors shot their first films when Korean cinema was at its peak, so it's no wonder they now feel pressure'. -PIFF programmer

The "sophomore slump" refers to when a second effort fails to meet the standards or expectations of the first. It affects bands, performers and artists of all types - and movie directors are no exception.

Six emerging Korean directors discussed the pressure and the anxiety they felt while making their second films, as well as the challenges of dealing with the changing landscape of filmmaking in Korea at "Open Talk No. 2" during the Pusan International Film Festival, which closed its nine-day run last Friday.

The six directors - Park Chan-ok, Lee Song-hee-il, Lee Seong-han, Lee Hae-joon, Kim Tae-sik and Kim Dong-won-I - first gained recognition for their debut features at previous Pusan film festivals, and returned to this year's event with their second works.

"I feel like I keep growing through filmmaking, even though growing up is...| More

'Spare' offers plenty more than fist-fights

Source | 2008/08/19 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The domestic box office has yet again succumbed to the influence of Hollywood and its penchant for world-saving heroes embellished with CGI and special effects.

That makes it all the more refreshing to see Lee Seong-han's debut film "Spare", which provides not only an alternative but a bold antithesis to the typical American blockbuster.

"Spare" boasts what it calls "100-percent real action" free of stuntmen, CGI and wires. So, those walking into the cinema expecting high-flying kicks and gritty fistfights will be surprised to find that the film actually relies little on action to enthrall the audience.

With the use of self-reflexive post-production effects, discontinuity editing and an endearing aloofness, "Spare" resembles a Korean incarnation of Guy Ritchie's "Snatch". complete with its McGuffin in the form of a liver donor.

The story begins when a yakuza boss survives an assassination attempt but remains in critical condition. Given his rare blood-type, only a Korean st...| More

[ChanMi's movie news] "Spare" new action film!

Source | 2008/08/14 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Another press conference for the release of a new action film, "Spare" has taken place.

This action film is a real film with no use of CG (Computer Graphics). ...| More

New York Korean Film Festival this August

Source | 2008/07/18 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The seventh edition of the New York Korean Film Festival is set to run August 22 – 31. Sponsored by KOFIC and The Korea Society, the event will screen more than 15 recent Korean features, of which 14 have been finalized for the line-up.

Highlights include one of the top-grossing Korean films of 2008, "Forever the Moment", a sports-redemption-themed film directed by LIM Soon-rye and starring MOON So-ri and KIM Jeong-eun. Other 2008 releases in the line-up are "Hellcats" by KWON Chil-in, "Once Upon a Time" by JEONG Yong-ki, "Open City" by LEE Sang-gi, "Spare" by LEE Seong-han, and the Korea-Japanese co-production "Virgin Snow" starring LEE Joon-ki and Aoi Miyazaki.

Films in the program from 2007 include such high-profile films as the Chosun-set popular tale, "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007", starring SONG Hye-kyo, the Kwang-ju-set historical tragedy, May 18th, a Chosun-set tale of high stakes cooking, "Le Grand Chef", and Daniel Henney vehicle and tear-jerker, "My Father".

Othe...| More

Korean movies leap into box-office fray

Source | 2008/05/29 | 0 comments | Permalink |

In late April, Iron Man arrived in the Korean cinema, smashing the box office into very profitable pieces. In mid-May, Prince Caspian took the baton and kept up the pressure on Korean competitors. Last weekend, whip-wielding Indy joined the Hollywood-only party, roped in plenty of movie tickets sales.

The bombardment of Hollywood films dragged down the share of Korean films to a record low. But the bleak development was widely predicted since only a couple of new Korean releases were made. June might be slightly different, as eight Korean movies are set for release.

"Girl Scout", directed by Kim Sang-man, will hit theaters on June 5, featuring well-known actors such as Kim Seon-ah, Nah Moon-hee, Lee Kyeong-sil. The film will test whether the audiences still have an appetite for a chase-the-money drama with fewer funny moments than publicized.

Waiting in line for the June 12 release are four Korean films: "Life is Cool", "Beyond All Magic", "Spare" and "Like Father, Like Son". ...| More