The Magicians (Movie - 2005)

Korean Films Premiering at 14th Pusan Fest

Source | 2009/09/18 | 0 comments | Permalink |

A number of high-profile Korean features will have their World Premiere at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) including opening film "Good Morning President" by writer-director JANG Jin. It stars top Korean actor JANG Dong-gun, who is expected to greet the opening night crowd when the fest kick offs October 8 for a 9-day run.

Making it's Gala World Premiere is "The Fair Love" by director SHIN Yeon-shick, a drama starring veteran lead AHN SEONG-ki about an unstoppable romance between an old bachelor in his 50s and a college girl in her 20s. Also in the Gala program is "In My End Is My Beginning" by MIN Gyoo-dong, the director of "All for Love" ("My Lovely Week", 2005) and "Antique" (2008). The new film stars UHM Jung-hwa and KIM Hyo-jin and is an extension of MIN's contribution to the omnibus feature "Five Senses of Eros", released earlier this year.

Another highlight is the return of award-winning director SONG Il-gon ("The Magicians", "A Feather"), who will pr...| More

3rd French-Korean Film Festival in Paris

Source | 2008/12/09 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The third edition of the French-Korean Film Festival will take place in Paris, Dec 17 – 23, at Cinema Action Christine. This year's selection includes NA Hong-jin's hit thriller "The Chaser" and KIM Dong-won's documentary of Japan's forcible conscription of 'comfort women' during the wars, "63 Years On".

A special retrospective will be held on female director LIM Soon-rye, showcasing four of her films. Her 2008 hit "Forever the Moment" will screen along with previous gem "Waikiki Brothers" (2001), and two shorts, "The 'Weight' of Her" from 2003 omnibus "If You Were Me", and "Keeping the Vision Alive", a 2002 documentary.

Other highlights include SONG Il-gon's one-take no-cut drama "The Magicians", YOON Seong-ho's debut comedy, "Milky Way Liberation Front", HWANG Kyoo-deok's fantasy-drama "For Eternal Hearts", MIN Byong-hoon's clerical drama "Pruning the Grapevine" and PARK Joon-beom's "Dodari".

A total of 16 Korean films will screen during the event. Director SONG Il-go...| More

MOON Seong-geun Cast in SONG Il-gon Horror

Source | 2008/02/26 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Acclaimed actor MOON Seong-geun will take the lead role in "Sahwa" (meaning 'Royal Massacre') a horror from Cannes winning director SONG Il-gon. MOON has been a notable figure in the Korean film industry since the 1990's, when he starred in films by top new wave directors, PARK Kwang-soo ("Black Republic"), JANG Sun-woo ("Road to the Racetrack"), and in LEE Chang-dong's debut film "Green Fish".

MOON also provided memorable performances in such films as HONG Sang-soo's "Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors" and PARK Chan-ok's "Jealousy is My Middle Name". He came late to his acting career, having first spent time as a business man in Saudi Arabia. Throughout the 90's he was deeply involved in supporting the Korean film industry and served as Vice-chairman of the Korean Film Council in 1999.

In SONG's fifth feature, a Chosun dynasty-set tale of bloody power games between rival families, MOON will play the central role of a king beset by curses and vengeful murders. Supporti...| More

SONG Il-gon Horror to Shoot this Spring

Source | 2008/01/09 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Director SONG Il-gon is in pre-production on his latest project, an historical horror set in the Joseon Dynasty. The film is being budgeted at around US$4 million and is titled Sahwa – meaning 'royal massacre'. No word on who will star in the feature and casting is currently ongoing.

The production company behind the film is Masulpiri Co. which produced "Family Matters" (2006), "A Tale of Two Sisters" (2003), and JEONG Jae-eun's "Take Care of My Cat" (2001).

"Sahwa" is about a bloody power game between rival families. When the Park family massacres the Shin family, and takes the throne, a child, Wan, is born to them that very same night of the killings. Seven years later, an attack on the king's family leaves everyone but young Wan dead. Wan grows deadly ill, and the king tries to save him but curses, strange happenings, and mysterious murders draw nearer.

The film will be SONG's fourth feature, following the critical success of "The Magicians" (2006), "Feathers in t...| More

SONG Il-gon Tackles Modernization of Korea

Source | 2007/02/14 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Experimental director SONG Il-gon is developing a film tentatively titled "Telephone Girl". The titular girl lives in the 1920-30s when Korea was modernizing, albeit, under Japanese colonial rule.

The story depicts the girl becoming a modern woman with a focus on the girl's romance. The girl is from humble descent and works as a switchboard operator.

The film is to be produced by new-comer JinJin Pictures, affiliated with art-house film distributor/exhibitor Dongsoong Art Center. JinJin Pictures will handle the production and distribution side. JinJin Pictures will also explore commercial opportunities and Telephone Girl is an exponent of the new direction with a budget of US$ 5 million.

Director SONG Il-gon directed the mainstream film "Spider Forest" in 2004. Outside Korea he is best known for his experimental low-budget films, which featured at International Film Festivals. He started attracting attention with his 2001 Flower Island, a selection of the Venice Film Festival...| More