An informal guide to this year's Korean Film Festival, 1 - 18 November 2009
Bong Joon-ho Retrospective. 
BFI, Southbank, London
1 - 14 November 2009
It goes without saying that the highlight of this festival is the screentalk with Bong Joon-ho (봉준호) following the screening of Mother / 마더. You can NOW get tickets because they have moved it to another screen. Click here.The screening of Mother, too, is another reason to go. With no UK distributor as of yet, this is an opportunity to see it on the big screen. You can see my review here – it truly is a masterpiece.
Mother / 마더 by Bong Joon-ho (봉준호)
Another highlight of this festival are the screenings of Bong Joon-ho’s shorts. This really is a rare opportunity to see them, so if you are a fan of director Bong, don’t miss the screenings of Incoherence, Influenza, Memories in My Frame & White man and also, of course, the screening of Sink and Rise, which is showing after The Host / 괴물 (2006).
His first feature length, Barking Dogs Don’t Bite / 플란다스의 개 - (2000) is also being screened – it shows his raw talent and potential as a filmmaker – so don’t miss it because you can’t find it on DVD here in the UK. His other feature length films are obviously available on DVD, but if you want to see Memories of Murder / 살인의 추억 (2003) or The Host on the big screen, here is your chance.
Barking Dogs Don’t Bite / 플란다스의 개 by Bong Joon-ho (봉준호)
Barbican Korean Film Festival
Barbican Centre, London
5 - 12 November 2009
The festival at the Barbican opens tomorrow with the director’s cut of Thirst / 박쥐 with Park Chan-wook (박찬욱) doing an introduction. I wasn’t overly impressed with the theatrical cut - you can see my review here – but perhaps the extended cut will win me over. This event, however, is sold out, but there are still tickets available for the Yang Ik–june (양익준) Q&A on Friday following the screening of his film, Breathless /똥파리. This film is absolutely fantastic and offers something quite different from the commercial flare of Korean cinema. With its raw realism through the hand-held digital camera and convincing acting from the director himself who takes the lead, this film takes on domestic violence and family breakdown head on with a real punch. Too often commercial Korean cinema overshadows the independent market - I am as guilty as anyone – and this film demonstrates that the independent film industry in Korea warrants a great deal of attention.
Thirst / 박쥐 Park Chan-wook (박찬욱) Breathless /똥파리 by Yang Ik–june (양익준)
One of this year’s great assets is the number of independent films on offer. Jeon Soo-il’s (전수일) Himalaya: Where the Wind Dwells / 히말라야, 바람이 머무는 곳 is certainly appealing. Starring Choi Min-sik (최민식), who plays Choi who returns to the Himalayas to return a fellow acquaintance’s remains, it promises to be an intense performance from Choi Min-sik and with award winner Jeon Soo-il at the helm, this is a film that may be worth watching. Treeless Mountain / 나무없는 산, too, made by an award-winning director, Kim So-yong (김소영) seems to be equally compelling. And of course, you have Kim Ki-duk’s (김기덕) Dream / 비몽, which is unsurprisingly selling out quickly. Whilst I do admire the work of Kim Ki-duk and Park Chan-wook, there is a lot more to Korean cinema than these two directors, so I do urge you to see a film that you wouldn’t normally see. Breathless is a good start, or Eighteen, which is directed, written, edited and produced by Jang Kun-jae. If you’re really keen on Kim Ki-duk, also check out Jang-hun’s Rough Cut / 영화는 영화다, which he produced. He tends to be producing more films than he used to, so I am not sure if this is a direction he wishes to pursue. This film also stars the prolific actor, So Ji-sub and if you like fighting, you might want to check this one out. This one is more commercial than independent.
Himalaya: Where the Wind Dwells / Treeless Mountain / 나무없는 산 by
히말라야, 바람이 머무는 곳 by Kim So-yong (김소영)
Jeon Soo-il’s (전수일)
Animation is not really something I feel comfortable writing a lot about, though I am becoming increasingly interested in Korean animation. Korea produces vast amounts of high quality animation, not only for the domestic industry, but also for Hollywood and beyond. Kung fu Panda and evenThe Simpsons are illustrations of this. Every year, of course, the Barbican put on some of the latest animation and this year is no exception with three animations being screened: Footy Fabulous Fanstatic!, Oseam / 오세암 and The Story of Mr Sorry / 제불찰씨 이야기 . The first two are tailored towards the family, whereas the later is more of an adult animation.
Oseam / 오세암
The Story of Mr Sorry /
제불찰씨 이야기
It wouldn’t be a film festival without some classic films on show. This year they are doing a retrospective on Yu Hyun-mok / 유현목, who sadly passed away earlier on this year. Yu Hyun-mok is one of Korea’s greatest film directors and his legacy has lived on well after his heyday in the Golden Age of Korean cinema (late 50s to mid 60s). His use of realism for example has been massively influential in the Korean New Wave from the late 80s – mid 90s. One only has to look at the work of Park Kwang-su to illustrate this. Even today, directors such as Lee Chang-dong continue his legacy of realist filmmaking. Three of his films are showing at this year’s festival: Kim’s Daughters /김약국집 딸들, Martyr /순교자 and Aimless Bullet / 오발탄, which is often sighted as the greatest Korean film of all time. Daniel Martin from Queen’s University, Belfast will be doing an introductory lecture to Yu Hyun-mok and his films before the screening of Kim’s Daughters. Daniel is an expert on Korean cinema and together with his intellect, it promises to be an extremely compelling and informative lecture. Whilst it is inevitable that contemporary films will become more popular – Park Chan-wook recently wondered why is it new films always get chosen over the old ones - if you are genuinely interested in exploring Korean cinema, you really need to begin by going back and understanding its roots and Yu Hyun-mok is a good place to begin.
Martyr /순교자 directed by Yu Hyun-mok / 유현
Then of course you have the contemporary films - a selection of the recent releases to come out of Korea. Tidal Wave /Haeundae /해운대 is selling out very quickly as you would expect – you can see my review here. It is definitely one to see on the big screen and in all honesty, not a bad film. Insadong Scandal: Replicated Strokes / 인사동 스캔들 is a compelling and entertaining film even if it lacks substance – it will keep you guessing to the final frame. Private Eye / 그림자 살인 stars one of my favourite Korean actors, Hwang Jeong-min (황정민), whom, dare I say it, reminds me of Tom Hanks for his versatility and authenticity as an actor. Looking ultra slick, this film will appeal those who like a good murder mystery. A Frozen Flower/ 쌍화점 is a very interesting film, not least because it seems to tackle the taboos of gay relationships in a more explicit way – The King and The Clown /왕의 남자 is tame in comparison. Full of Korean culture, colour, décor and costume, this film will naturally appeal to those who are looking for a bit of culture. Though don’t be deceived, the film is totally fictional and the sexual content is hardly light, but is very well made with a bit of everything – drama, action and yes, romance. Given the explicit content, I found it quite ironic that it sold over 3 million tickets when released in Korea. And then there is Scandal Makers(aka Speedy Scandal) / 과속스캔들, which was a massive hit in Korea scoring 8 million admissions or so starring Cha Tae-hyeon (차태현) from My Sassy Girl / 엽기적인 그녀. One of the best Korean comedies in recent years - utterly hilarious and you can see my review here. Tickets for this one are going fast - I wouldn't hang about.
Scandal Makers (aka Speedy Scandal) / 과속스캔들 directed by (강형철)
and starring Cha Tae-hyeon (차태현) (above)
A Frozen Flower / 쌍화점 directed by Yoo Ha (유하) and starring Song Ji-hyo (송지효)
(above left) Jo In-Seong (조인성) (above right)
Manchester Korean Film Festival 
Cournerhouse, Manchester
7 - 9 November 2009
Clearly, the highlight is the Q&A with Yang Ik-june, so for those who can’t make the London screening, do head over to Manchester. Liverpool Festival Director Kate Taylor will be chairing the Q&A. The other two films on show are Dream and Mother. Don’t miss Mother – I know I sound like a track on loop, but it is a stupendous film even for Bong Joon-ho, so don’t miss out.
Director Yang Ik-june (양익준) will be in Manchester and London (Barbican) to take your questions.
Nottingham Korean Film Festival 
Broadway Cinema, Nottingham
16 - 18 November 2009
The film festival kicks off with the Korean cinema symposium being chaired by Julian Stringer and Nicky Lee – both established academics in the region of East Asian cinema. I think it is now too late to register, but if you do want to go, email me and I will put you in contact with the right person who may or may not be able to sort you out a place. It is free and refreshments are being provided.
Then there is the screening of Mother with the Bong Joon-ho Q&A. Tickets for this are still available, so if you really want to see director Bong and you cannot get a ticket for the BFI screening, perhaps think about going up to Nottingham. Julian Stringer will chair the Q&A. They are also screening Dream and Breathless.
Director Bong Joon-ho (봉준호) will be taking your questions in Nottingham and London (BFI)
To book tickets, please go to the relevant link below - i.e if the film you want to see is at the Barbican, go to that link. I have also put the link to the film festival website.
Links: Festival Website
BFI
Barbican Centre
Manchester Cournerhouse
Nottingham Broadway
Korean Film Symposium
Korean Film Festival, 1 - 18 November 2009.
BFI, Southbank, London Barbican Centre, London Cournerhouse, Manchester
1 - 14 November 2009 5 - 12 November 2009 7 - 9 November 2009
Broadway Cinema, Nottingham
16 - 18 November 2009
Every year the Korean Film Festival, organised by the Korean Cultural Centre hits the Barbican Centre screening some of the latest films, animations and classics. This year they are also going to the BFI to screen a retrospective of one of the finest directors working in Korea at the moment, Bong Joon-ho (봉준호). It is a big festival this year with a total of 34 screenings, four different locations and three directors coming to do Q&As/introductions. Park Chan-wook (박찬욱) will be in London again to present his director's cut of Thirst / 박쥐; Yang Ik-June (양익준) will be doing Q&As at the Barbican Centre and Manchester; and Bong Joon-ho will be doing a Q&A at the BFI, Southbank and Nottingham. There is also a Korean Film Symposium in Nottingham on the same day as the Bong Joon-ho Q&A, which sounds really exciting.
Bong Joon-ho will be in London and Nottingham for Q&A sessions.
Park Chan-wook will be there to introduce Yang Ik-June (above) will be present for Q&A sessions
the director's cut of Thirst at the Opening in London and Manchester.
Gala at the Barbican Centre.
The film programme too is very compelling with a range of contemporary films including the excellent Speedy Scandal / 과속스캔들and mega-hit Heaundae / 해운대. There is also plenty of indepdent films that include the likes of the critically acclaimed Breathless / 똥파리 and Jeon-Soo-il's (전수일) Himalaya, Where the Wind Blows / 히말라야, 바람이 머무는 곳. In memory of Yun Hyun-mok who sadly died earlier this year, they are showing some of his classic films, which will also include an introduction to his work by Daniel Martin, Queen's University, Belfast. And then there is the retrospective of Bong Joon-ho, which is screening all his films including his shorts, so this is a rare chance to see some of his earlier short films that are not easy to get hold of. There is also a chance to see Mother / 마더 again, which is absolutely superb.
Breathless 똥파리 showing at the Barbican, Manchester Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells / 히말라야, 바람이 머무는 곳
& Nottingham. showing at the Barbican Centre.
Some screenings will sell out quickly, so I wouldn't hang around. The opening gala at the Barbican (Thirst) is already sold out and so is the Bong Joon-ho Q&A at the BFI.
For the list of films, please click here. I will do another post with a full list of films in due course.
Links: Festival Website
BFI
Barbican Centre
Manchester Cournerhouse
Nottingham Broadway
Korean Film Symposium
BFI 53rd London Film Festival, 14 - 29 October 2009, London West End
Bong Joon-ho and Hong Sang-soo films feature in the annual London Film Festival.
London Film Festival comes around every year and always shows some of the latest Korean cinema and more often than than not, showcases the latest work from some of Korean prolific directors. This year the lineup consists of two directors that have become names at the London Film Festival over the years: Bong Joon-ho and Hong Sang-soo. The former had his graduate film from the Korean National University of Arts (KNUA), Incoherance, screened at the London Film Festival and has since established himself as one of the most exciting, innovational and talented Korean film directors. He has an extraordinary abilty to make intellectual films that have mainstream appeal - both Memories of Murder and The Host are illustrative of this. The former is credited by many, including myself as the finest contemporary Korean film to be made. This is not discredit other extraordinary Korean films, but Memories of Murder is simply rediculously good.
Hong Sang-soo, whilst doesn't have the commercial domestic appeal of Bong Joon-ho, has become very popular abroad, not least here in the UK and indeed France. His films are also recieved well in Korea by the critics even if his films are not commerical hits. That said, however, his films tend to fair better than other independent/art house films. His films do appear quite spontaneous and realist - his camera often remains still and is therefore reminiscent of the films from the Korean New Wave. But he is quick to point how structured and complex his films are. What is often percerieved as improvision is actually been carefully scripted.
What I would suggest, is before you watch their latest works, you should look up some of Bong and Hong's work and do some reading; that way, the film will mean much more. The films of Hong and Bong are fierecly complex and some background reading and viewing will open up your mind to the extrordinary work of these directors'. Here is some info on the films and times.
KOFIC have published some interesting books on these directors, so please click here for more information.
Mother / 마더 (UK Premiere)
Screening Times and Location: Thu 22 Oct, 6.00pm: VUE Cinema 5. Book Now
Fri 23 Oct, 12.45pm: VUE Cinema 7. Book Now
Director: Bong Joon-ho (봉준호)
Starring: Kim Hye-ja (김혜자), Won Bin (원빈), Jin Goo (진구)
Running Time: 128 min
Korean Release Date: 28/05/2009
Korean Distributor: CJ Entertainment
Synopsis
The film follows Hye-ja (same name as the actress that plays her - Kim Hye-ja (김혜자)) as she takes care of her absent-minded son, Do Joon, played by Won
Bin (원빈). Although he is 27, he is very childlike - he has a memory
like a gold fish and has little sense everyday dangers. One evening he
gets very drunk and subsequently thown out of a bar and then follows a
school girl home - he is set on sleeping with her. She turns down his
proposition, throws a rock at him and then chases him away. But she is
found dead the next day and Won Bin is the key suspect. However, his
mother doesn't believe he is capable of such a think and is determined
to prove his innocence.
Some thoughts...
Whilst it doesn't appear to be as commerical as The Host / 괴물, the star presence of Kim Hye-ja (김혜자) - she is a big TV star in Korea - and Won Bin (원빈) (Taegukgi
/ 태극기 휘날리며) will bring some attention. Let us not the forget the
biggest star of all, Mr. Bong himself. Though, as the recent box office
would suggest, stars don't necessrily bring success. That said,
however, we probably have one of the most talented and consistent film
directors at the helm, so I can't imagine it will fail to please
audiences. At the very least, it will do well abroad. Like Park
Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho commands a great deal of respect abroad. 
In
terms of reviews, inevitably, there is a bit of a mix, but the
impression I get is that it hits gold, or very near to it. To be
honest, I don't think it is possible for Bong to make a bad film.
Interestingly, according to Goodridge over at screendaily, Bong seems to have been heavily influenced by Hitchock when making this
film, though critics will often site popular film directors and make
comparisons when it is not necessarily the case. However, like most
filmmakers, be it in Korea or Hollywood, he will be very well
versed in global cinema. And lets face it, any Hitcockian influence
can't be a bad thing. 
Bong
also seems to be set on using real location to bring a sense of realism
to the film. This is trait that is characteristic of Korean cinema
since the 60s, which peaked during the late 80s and early 90s, though
in recent times, this has gone out the window with one or two
exceptions - Lee Chang-dong is one, of course. So it will be
interesting to see how Bong explores this concept of realism - a
characteristic, also, of the Cannes Film Festival. 
The story itself has strong parallels to Memories of Murder
/ 살인의 추억, not only in the subject matter, but also in how Bong cleverly takes the forefront of the narrative - this being the crime
and the mothers fight to clear her son's name - and move it, so that it
becomes secondary. Instead, the relationship between the mother and
son becomes the centre of the film. As Bong explains, "the film is
like a magnifying glass that focuses warm sunlight to a burning point.
It is a drama that unfolds with great intensity, a story rooted in the
fundamental nature of motherhood". He also adopted a similar approach
in Memories in Murder to astonishing effect. Likewise the crimes in Memories of Murder
were also secondary interest to Bong; his primary focus was the films
backdrop - the period when Korea moved from a dictatorship to a
democracy. Bong is a remarkable film maker and I am confident that this
film will reflect the enormous versatility he has as a film
practitioner.
Sources: Screendaily
Cannes Film Festival website
Like you Know it All/ 잘 알지도 못하면서 (UK Premiere)
Screening Times and Location: Sun 18 Oct 6.30pm, ICA 1. Book Here.
Mon 19 Oct 2.00pm, ICA 1. Book Here.
Director: Hong Sang-soo (홍상수)
Starring: Kim Tae-woo (김태우),Eom Ji-won (엄지원), Ko Hyeon-jeong (고현정) & Kong Hyeong-jin (공형진)
Running Time: 126 min
Korean Release Date: 14/05/2009
Korean Admissions: 38,497
Synopsis
KU Kyung-nam, who is stuck with the label of an ‘art-house film director’, attends the festival in a small town as a jury. In the town, he bumps into an old friend BU. Over drinks, KU is dragged to BU’s house and meets his wife. The next day after a long night of heavy drinking, KU returns his hotel and find a message from BU which says ‘never to come near us again’. But he can’t remember what happened last night. Soon after that, KU goes to Jeju Island to give a lecture. There he meets a famous admired painter who was KU’s college senior and finds his new wife is KU’s love in his twenties. When she gave him a note secretly, he is quiet confused. The next day on his way to go airport, KU changes his mind and heads to the painter’s house to meet her.
Source: KOFIC
Some thoughts.
From what I gather, this film has been recieved much better than his last film, Night and Day. Lee Marshall writes, "Like You Know It All sees Hong Sang-soo attempting nothing particularly new in his ninth feature, but rarely has it all come together so smoothly and breezily." Indeed one of the criticisms of Hong of late is the fact that he has become a little rrepetitive at least in terms of his use of style, but it good to hear his latest has come together well, even if he uses the same formula. The film also adopts more humour than some of his previous film, which may make the film more appealing to some, especially given that his films are often quite dry and bleak.
Hong's films are difficult to come by in the UK, even on DVD, which is a little ironic given the amount of Korean DVDs available in UK retailers. These screenings at the London Film Festival, therefore, are a rare opportunity to watch one of Korea's finest and prolific independent film makers - and back on good form.
Source:Screendaily Review
Visitors (UK Premiere)
Screening Times and Location: Weds 21 Oct, 9.00pm, ICA 1. Book Now
Thu 22 Oct, 4.15pm, NFT 3. Book Now
Directors: Hong Sang-Soo, Naomi Kawase & Lav Diaz.
Starring: Jung Yu-Mi, Moon Sung-Kuen, Kazuki Kitamura
Running Time: 108 min
Synopsis/more info (By Tony Rayns)
Every year the Jeonju festival in Korea commissions three filmmakers to make shortish digital films and 'packages' the results as a feature-length programme with an umbrella title. Visitors is this year's package, the best for some time. In Hong Sang-Soo's Lost in the Mountains (South Korea, 32min) the visitor is the supremely self-centred Mi-Sook, who drives to Jeonju on impulse to see her classmate Jin-Young - only to discover that her friend is having an affair with their married professor, who Mi-Sook once dated herself. The level of social embarrassment goes off the scale. In Naomi Kawase's Koma (Japan, 34min), Kang Jun-Il travels to a village in rural Japan to honour his grandfather's dying wish by returning a Buddhist scroll to its ancestral home. Amid ancient superstitions, a new relationship forms. And in Lav Diaz' Butterflies Have No Memories (Philippines, 42min) 'homecoming queen' Carol returns to the economically depressed former mining town she came from - and becomes the target of an absurd kidnapping plot hatched by resentful locals. Serving as his own writer, cameraman and editor, Diaz casts the film entirely from members of his crew and delivers a well-seasoned mix of social realism and fantasy.
You can find some information behind the funding of the film and the Jeonju Film Festival here.
Source: BFI Website
Screendaily
Edniburgh International Film Festival
Breathless 똥파리
Director: Yang Ik-joon (양익준)
Starring: Yang Ik-joon (양익준), Kim Kkot-bi (김꽃비) & Lee Hwan (이환)
Running TIme: 130min
Korean Release Date: 16/04/2009
Edinburgh Film Festival Screening times: 24 June: 20:30 at Cineworld 10
25 June: 21:45 at Filmhouse 2 (more info here)
Synopsis
After witnessing the deaths of his mother and sister during childhood, Sang-hoon grew up along with violence. To punish his father for destorying the family, Sang-hoon visits his father regularly with rampage. One day, he meets a teenage girl, Yon-hi. As encounter piles up, Sanghoon and Yonhi find themselves in each other. But their link started long time ago. Out of blind, Sang-hoon, Yon-hi, and others among them reach out for more relationships.
Some thoughts
These films are very characteristic of Edinburgh Film Festival, which
plays a great emphasis on screening independent films. Breathless, whilst is far from a commerical hit, it has been critically acclaimed
throughout the festival circuit. It is an interesting look into how a poor and disturbed upbringing can affect one's life - a critical look at the use of violence in the lower classes. The director also stars as the main protagonist and is apparently inspired by his own experience. Here is a review from Screendaily and here is the excellent write-up from the Edinburgh Film Festival website.
Deaux Regards (Short film - 3 min) part of Black Box Shorts 2: Materials and Materiality
Director, Producer & Writer: Kim Kangnim
Screening Time: 25 June, 13:30, Filmhouse 3 (full details here)
Synopsis
At the interstice between materiality and immateriality, direct work on the filmstrip is digitally rendered, creating tension between surface and depth.
Members of the Funeral 장례식의 멤버
Director: Baek Seung-bin (백승빈)
Starring: Lee Joo-seung (이주승), Yoo Ha-bok (유하복), Park Myeong-sin (박명신) & Kim Byeol (김별)
Running Time: 99 min
Korean Release Date: 12/03/2009
24 June: 22:00 at Filmhouse 2 (more info here)
Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Hee-joon is dead and a group of people are gathered at the funeral. By the way they refer to one another they are members of a family composed of father, mother, and daughter. They are also the leading characters in the novel that Hee-joon wrote before he died, and they have no idea what relationship one another had with the boy. Jun-gi, a middle aged trainer for a college basketball team, carries a dark secret and has queer relationships with his students. Jung-hee, a bizarre high school literature teacher who assigns her students to write their own will, dreams of becoming a mystery novelist like Agatha Christie. Ami, a high school student and an undertaker of five years, becomes Hee-joon’s friend after she sees the razor blade scars on his wrist. As Hee-joon spends time with each of the three family members, he completes his novel “Members of the Funeral”, and gives it as a gift to each of them
Some thoughts.
I don't claim to be an expert on Korean cinema - this couldn't be further from the truth - but I do recognise names of Korean films that get thrown around, But this one, I have never heard of. However, don't let that put you off. It could be a hidden gem. Certainly the write-up on the website makes it very adversting, but then you would expect that. However, the write-ups this year are superb - very well written and the writers know what they are talking about, it seems - so, perhaps it is as good as they make out to be. Have a look.
Terractotta Far Film Festival, 21 - 24 May 2009, Prince Charles Cinema
The aim of the film festival, according to Joey, the organiser of the film festival, is to" release films in cinemas and on DVD, through Terracotta Distribution." Terrocotta Distribution has recently released Korean film Hansal and Gretal
The Prince Charles Cinema has a strong history in screening Korean films - it was at this venue where a Korean Film Festival a few years ago screened films for two years in a row. Whilst, it is not the most luxurious cinema in the West End, it is certainly one of the cheaper ones and therefore, attracts those looking for a good bargain.As you probably know, the two Korean films that are to be screened are Eye For An Eye and Dream - both of which were released last year.Eye for An Eye / 눈에는 눈 이에는 이
UK Premiere
Screening at the Prince Charles Cinema on Thursday 21 May at 20:00. Ticket info here
Directors: Ahn Kwon-tae (안권태), Kwak Gyeong-taek (곽경택)
Starring: Han Seok-Kyu (한석규), Cha Seung-won (차승원), Song Yeong-chang (송영창), Lee Byeong-joon (이병준)
Running Time: 101 min
Korean Release Date: 31/07/2008
Synopsis
Sung-chan (Han Seok-Kyu) is a top detective of the special crime squad. He is notorious for punishing the opponent who hurts his pride. When Hyun-min (Cha Seung-won) impersonates as Sung-chan and robs a cash transport car under the daylight, and seizes $10 billion worth of smuggled gold right before the cop’s eyes, Sung-chan is outraged. He cannot let this criminal slip through. Sung-chan goes after Hyun-min like a wild beast going after its prey, but Hyun-min cunningly threads through the investigation, even leaving traces in the crime scenes on purpose to allure and provoke Sung-chan. (KOFIC)
Some thoughts...
This film was a modest hit making $10 million, which equates to just over 2 million admissions. Whilst not a major hit, breaking the 2 million admission barrier is not easy in a very competitive industry from both domestic and non-Korean content. Director Im Kwon-taek speaks for himself really. Although not every film of his has performed as he would like, he does have a tendency to make films that are commerically viable and thus, enjoyable. Kwak took on the job of co-directing about half-way through the film - perhaps in an effort to make it more glossy and sophisticated. Ahn Kwon-tae who worked with Kwak on Friend as an assistant director made a promising start to his directing career with My Brother / 우리형(2004), which performed admirably in the box office. From all accounts, he seems to have made a wise move in bringing on his mentor to what seems (regrettably, I have yet to see it) to be a strong film, though I don't want to be too presumptious!
Clearly it has two popular actors, which help its audience appeal, though stars don't necessaily generate success - this has been particuarly pertinent over the last year or so. This film has been compared to the Public Enemy series and Ocean's Eleven for its cat and mouse plotting. That said, however, whilst this film appears to have follow this narrative trajectory, one critic from the Korean Times argues that this film is in fact very Korean in its sympathetic approach to evil characters - a trait inherent in Korean tales.
But to be honest, I don't really expect much more than full blown action - and it would seem one woudn't be disappointed if one watches the film with this expectation in mind. Appparently there is an impressive car chase, and the film doesn't just take place in Seoul - it also moves to Busan, so you get to see some of Korea! And, if you want to see Han Seok-Kyu play a bad ass cop - quite a contrast from his character in Shiri - you should definitely check out his film.
Dream/ 비몽
UK Premiere
Screening at the Prince Charles Cinema on Saturday 23 May at 2pm. Ticket info here
Director: Kim Ki-duk (김기덕)
Starring: Joe Odagiri (オダギリジョ), Lee Na-young (이나영), Park Ji-ah (박지아)
Running Time: 95 min
Korean Release Date: 09/10/2008
Synopsis
Jin wakes up from a nightmare of a traffic accident. It drives him to the very spot where a real accident took place. He follows the police to the suspect’s home and watches as Ran denies the hit-and-run accusation since she was asleep the entire night. Jin explains his dream to them and asks to be charged instead. The police dismiss him and arrest Ran. Jin is convinced that there’s an unexplainable connection between the two. They discover that when he dreams, she acts out his dream in her sleep.
Some thoughts......
This film couldn't be more different than Eye for an Eye. For one, it managed merely 88,000 admission in the domestic market, but Kim Ki-duk's films never perform well in the home market - his films travel much better in comparison. He is loathed in Korea. One only has to ask a handful of Koreans what they think of Kim Ki-duk to realise how Koreans hate him. "He's crazy!" or "he makes me sick" are two typical reactions. Yet people in the UK and throughout the West and beyond are both fascinated and complexed by his films. Of course, there are those who don't react well to his explicit use of sex and violence throughout his films, but on the whole, those who are not Korean tend to react better to his films.
This film seems to be as obscure as ever, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the film conclude with a rather intense and and confusing scene - a trait found in his earlier films. But, his films are interesting and if you can stomach some of the more expliict scenes of his films, there is no reason to think that you will be particuarly offended by this film. Interestingly, there does seem to be an engagement with some areas of philosophy in this film - perhaps in the realm of pyschoanalysis and Baudrillard.
So, if you want to see the lastest installment from one of the most controverisal and eccentric Korean film directors, you should head towards the Prince Charles Cinema just before 2pm on Saturday 23rd May.