Tokyo Highlights Korean Indies

The Theatre Image Forum in the Shibuya district of Tokyo introduced the unique world of Korean independent films to Japanese audiences last week. Titled Korean Independent Cinema 2007, the event ran August 25th – 31st, showcasing three feature-length and 31 short films, drawing large crowds.

Curator Tony Rayns, a London-based specialist in Asian cinema, programmed the event with three recent independent features, "Let's Finish!!!" By WANG Cheol-man, "Aseurai" by KIM Sam-ryeok, and "Our School" by Kim Myeong-joon. Of the three, the latter, a documentary about a South Korean who finds himself among the children of North Korean immigrants in Hokkaido, screened to a sold-out audience.

A Panel Discussion featuring Our School director KIM, Aseurai director KIM, short-film director Yoon Seong-ho, and Chair Tony Rayns, also sold out. The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) proudly supported the event by providing flights to the guest filmmakers and covering costs of importing film prints.

The event was co-organized by Image Forum, the Korean Embassy in Japan, and the Korean Culture Center.

Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)

Advertisement