Korean Cultural Centre Screening: Epitaph (기담)
Venue: Multi-purpose hall, Korean Cultural Centre
Date: Friday 22 August 2008
BOOKING ESSENTIAL: PLEASE EMAIL info at kccuk.org.uk OR CALL 020 7004 2600 TO MAKE A RESERVATION. PLACES ARE LIMITED.
Film Information
Epitaph (기담)
Director: Jeong Beom-sik (정범식) & Jeong Sik (정식)
Starring: Jin Goo (진구), Kim Tae-woo (김태우), Lee Dong-gyoo (이동규) & Kim Bo-kyeong (김보경)
Running time: 98 min
Korean Release Date: 01/08/2007
Number of Korean Admissions: 647,601 (as of 13/08/2007)
Synopsis
“In
a modern hospital in 1941, doctors witness weird events and learn DEATH
is the sole healer.” In 1979, Dr. PARK receives an old photo album from
his twenties in 1941 when mysterious things befell him and his
colleagues. PARK was bound by his parents to marry a girl whom he never
met, but fell in love with a dead woman who happened to be his arranged
marriage. Meanwhile, a little girl who was apparently the only survivor
a car accident was haunted by ghosts every night. After two doctors (a
married couple) involved in these two stories return to their hospital
from Tokyo, a series of serial murders occurs around them.
Some thoughts...
This
film is part of the horror season at KCC - the last screening was of
Tale of Two Sisters. Traditionally the month of August is the month for
horror films in Korean cinemas, but since last year's horror season was
so unsuccessful - this film only gathered 647,601 admissions - there
was talk that there would be no horror season this year. However one
horror film has been released this year - Death Bell ( 고死: 피의 중간고사)
directed by Chang (창감독) and time will tell whether this will be
successful. Anyway as for this film, to me this seemed to be the most
promising horror film last summer with its classic look. Since I
haven't seen it, I can't really say whether it is good or not, but
given Koreans do make a good horror film, even though it is a genre
that is somewhat run out of steam, I am sure this film is worth
checking out especially if you like a good horror film. It is worth
mentioning a couple of awards including Pusan Film Critics Awards. Here is a good review, which should encourage you to check it out.
Korean Cultural Centre Screening: A Tale of Two Sisters 장화, 홍련
Venue: Multi-purpose hall, Korean Cultural Centre
Date: Thursday 7 August 2008
BOOKING ESSENTIAL: PLEASE EMAIL info at kccuk.org.uk OR CALL 020 7004 2600 TO MAKE A RESERVATION. PLACES ARE LIMITED.
Film Information
A Tale of Two Sisters / 장화, 홍련
Director: Kim Ji-woon (김지운)
Starring: Moon Geun-yeong (문근영), Im Soo-jeong (임수정), Yeom Jeong-ah (염정아) & Kim Kap-soo (김갑수)
Running Time: 115 min
Korean Release Date: 13/06/2003
Synopsis
Eun-joo,
the stepmother, welcomes two sisters who come back home after
recovering their health, but Su-mi, the elder sister, intentionally
avoids her and Su-yeon, the younger sister, shows a smack of fear for
her stepmother. On their first night, Su-yeon sneaks in Su-mi's room
confessing there is someone in her room and Su-mi sees a ghost of her
late mother who hung herself in Su-yeon's closet. Strange things begin
to happen since then; a ghost haunts the house and stepmother's birds
are poisoned to death. Assuming Su-yeon is behind the inauspicious
incidents, the stepmother locks her in the closet, and when Su-mi
learns about the cruel punishment, conflict between the stepmother and
two sisters gets bitter than ever.
One day, Mu-hyun, the father
goes to town and Su-mi finds there is no sign of her younger sister,
Su-yeon and Su-mi sports Eun-joo dragging a big bag through the dark
corridor leaving bloody stains behind her. Su-mi follows bloody trace
of the bag and she confronts with Eun-joo on her way of tracking. They
starts to fight vehemently and Su-mi falls down struck by Eun-joo in
the end... A while later, Mu-hyun comes back to the house and founds
Su-mi fallen on the floor alone and enraged Mu-hyun exclaims that
Su-yeon was already dead His exclamation awakes a series of memories
and hidden secrets buried deep inside of Su-mi..
Some thoughts....
Given that Kim Ji-woon's (김지운) latest film The Good, The Bad and The Weird 좋
은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈 is making headlines in Korea with its strong
performance, it is quite timely that his horror hit is to be the next
screening at the Korean Cultural Centre.
Although it has
already been released theatrically and more notably, it has been and
continues to be a successful DVD title, some may argue why screen it?
But there are always people who haven't seen it and given that it is a
very solid piece of work, you can't go wrong in spending two hours of
your time watching this film. Kim Ji-woon has a habit of adding
something to a genre and few people would disagree that this highly
skillfull, compelling and innovative film has contributed a great deal
to the horror genre. The use of the set, camera techniques, faultless
acting and a very clever and unpredictable plot are merley a few
attributes that make this film an excellent one, even for the audiences
that normally stay well clear of horror films.
Korean Cultural Centre Screening: A Peppermint Candy 박하사탕
Venue: Multi-purpose hall, Korean Cultural Centre
Date: Thursday 24 July 2008
BOOKING ESSENTIAL: PLEASE EMAIL info at kccuk.org.uk OR CALL 020 7004 2600 TO MAKE A RESERVATION. PLACES ARE LIMITED.
Film Information
Titles: A Peppermint Candy 박하사탕 (Lee Chang-dong Season)
Director: Lee Chang-dong (이창동)
Starring: Seol Gyeong-gu (설경구), Moon So-ril (문소리) and Kim Yeo-Jin
Running Time: 130 min
Korean Release Date: 01/01/2000
Synopsis
The film follows Yong-ho, who is played by Seol
Gyeong-gu (설경구). The film begins at his suicide and the film looks back
at his life and by extension looks at the political and social turmoil
over the last 20 years (prior to 2000 when the film was made). The film
ends at the beginning, which sees Yong-ho prior to the events that
ultimultely led to his demise.
Why you should see it
It
is probably one of the finest films in contemporary Korean cinema - it
makes the films that are being made at the moment look quite poor in
comparison, but that is just my frustration with the film industry at
present. Serioulsy though, this is one extraordinary film, which breaks
narrative conventions and challenges its Korean audience to look at its
dark past. Lee courageously explores the transition from dictatorship
to democracy and the cost involved in this transition. Through this, he
also looks at the Gwangju massacre, which has was made into a film last
year - May 18 (화려한 휴가)
directed by Kim Ji-hun - but in my opinion, although Gwangju is only
part of this film, it says more about Gwanggju than May 18 does as it explores it as a point in history and how it changed one man and by extention a nation.
But
to get the most out of this film, one needs to really get a solid
understanding of the content. You can find alot about this in books.
There is a good chapter on this film in Seoul Searching (Forgetting
to Remember, Remembering to Forget: The Politics of Memory and
Modernity in the Fractured Films of Lee Chang-dong and Hong Sang-soo) and New Korean Cinema (Peppermint Candy: The Will Not to Forget), but if you want something much more lighter (!) and convenient, check out this review,
which captures the main points. But I would stress, it is no substitute
if you want to get into the nitty-gritty. Obviously, all these have
spoliers, but this is not a film that you watch wondering what is going
to happen next; it is more about understanding the signiificance of
what is going on in the screen.
Korean Cultural Centre Screening: Green Fish (초록물고기)
Venue: Multi-purpose hall, Korean Cultural Centre
Date: Thursday 10 July 2008
BOOKING ESSENTIAL: PLEASE EMAIL info at kccuk.org.uk OR CALL 020 7004 2600 TO MAKE A RESERVATION. PLACES ARE LIMITED.
Film Information
Titles: Green Fish (초록물고기)
Director: Lee Chang-dong (이창동)
Starring: Han Seok-Kyu (한석규), Shim Hye-jin (심혜진), Moon Seong-geun (문성근), Myeong Kye-nam (명계남) Song Kang-ho (송강호)
Running Time: 114 mins
Korean Release Date: 07/02/1997
Synopsis
The
film follows Mak-dong (Han Suk-kyu) who has just come out from 2 years
of mandatory military training and returns to Ilsan, which has turned
into a Satellite town. With the population of Seoul going through the
roof, the government took measures to try and move people to satellite
towns just outside the centre so they could still work in Seoul – Ilsan
being one of them (it is situated to the North West of Seoul). Mak-dong
struggles to adjust to this transformation, and enters into the world
of gang culture, and his life subsequently takes a dark turn.
Why you should see it
I have reviewed it, so please click here
- it will give you all the information you need to encourage you to
watch it. In short, it is one of the great films from Lee Chang-dong -
well all his films are superb, but this is no exception. Although it
may look a bit dated, Lee Chang-dong's passion for realism that reveals
the social issues of Korea, both past and present -this is something he
adopts throughout all of his films - is astounding. Green Fish is a
gruelling experience - don't expect any happy endings - but it is
filmmaking at its very best.
Korean Cultural Centre Screening: Welcome to Dongmakgol (웰컴 투 동막골)
Venue: Multi-purpose hall, Korean Cultural Centre
Date: Thursday 26 June 2008
BOOKING ESSENTIAL: PLEASE EMAIL info at kccuk.org.uk OR CALL 020 7004 2600 TO MAKE A RESERVATION. PLACES ARE LIMITED.
Titles: Welcome to Dongmakgol (웰컴 투 동막골)
Director: Park Kwang-hyeon (박광현)
Starring: Jeong Jae-yeong (정재영), Sin Ha-gyoon (신하균), Kang Hye-jeong (강혜정) & Kang Hye-jeong (강혜정)
Running Time: 133 mins
Korean Release Date: 08/04/2005
Number of Korean Admissions: 8,008,622 admissions
Synopsis
During
the Korean War, soldiers from the US, North and South Korea come to a
peaceful village, Dongmakgol. At first, they confront each other but
soon, they start to mix with the villagers. But now the time has come
when they must carry out their duties.
Why you should see it
Although it didn't quite make as much money as Taeguki/Brotherhood,
which was released a year earlier, it still was very successful amongst
audiences to become the second biggest hit of the year - it was only
beaten by The King and The Clown (왕의 남자) , whch went on to break the record formally held by Taeguki/Brotherhood. It is a very interesting film that is similar to JSA (공동경비구역)
in some respects as it put North and South Koreans together even though
they are in conflict with one another and you get to see 'we are of the
same blood, but ideology seperates us' (not quoted from the film) on
screen. As a result, as a non-Korean, I feel somewhat isolated to a
certain extent as there is so much I can't identify with, however it is
interesting to see, even only to a certain extent how ideology has come
to seperate a nation that was once unified.
Aside from its content, it also delivers faultess acting from the Korean cast, most notably Kang Hye-jeong (강혜정) who does deliver an exceptional performance and as always, Sin
Ha-gyoon (신하균) is a real pleasure to watch. However, the American in
the fim, played by Steve Taschler is awful, which is a shame, but don't
let this deter you from watching the film - you will miss out on some
terrific action set pieces, beautiful cinematography and clever wit.
Enjoy...
Korean Cultural Centre Screening: Taeguki (Brotherhood).
Venue: Multi-purpose hall, Korean Cultural Centre
Date: Thursday 12 June 2008
BOOKING ESSENTIAL: PLEASE EMAIL info at kccuk.org.uk OR CALL 020 7004 2600 TO MAKE A RESERVATION. PLACES ARE LIMITED.
Film Information
Titles: Taeguki / Brotherhood / 태극기 휘날리며
Director: Kang Je-gyu (강제규)
Starring: Jang Dong-gun (장동건), Won Bin (원빈), Lee Eun-joo (이은주), Kong Hyeong-jin (공형진), Jang Min-ho (장민호) & Lee Yeong-ran (이영란).
Running Time: 140 mins
Korean Release Date: 02/05/2004
Synopsis
Jin-tae shines shoes in order to save money to send his younger brother Jin-suk to university.
Their mother runs a noodle shop, wishing the best for her two sons even though
things have been tough since her husband has passed away. Sending Jin-suk to
university has become the shining light in their everyday routine. At the start
of the Korean War(25th June 1950), Jin-suk is unwillingly conscripted into the
war. Jin-tae joins the war to save his brother and send him back home. Without
money or influence, the only hope to save his brother is for Jin-tae to enlist
in suicidal missions in order to earn the Medal of Honor. The medal will guarantee
Jin-suk's release. Jin-suk fails to understand his brother's actions and misinterprets
them as a dangerous mix of patriotism and obsession with fame and glory. It
is only at the fatal end that Jin-suk realizes the truth of his brother's sacrifice.
Why you should see it
Often compared to Saving Private Ryan
for its brutal portryal of war, it has become a Korean classic, though
some have criticised it for its blockbuster appeal that began with
Kang's previous film, Shiri. It broke box office records in Korea
making 11,746,135, though there reports of the distributor, Showbox
giving away free tickets to beat the record, but you can't believe
everything and if you see the film you can see why it was so popular.
It stars one of Korea's most popular actors Jang Dong-gun who delivers
a sensational performance as the brother who becomes disillusioned -
you may recoginse him from Kim Ki-duk's The Coastguard. It also stars
Lee Eun-joo who tragically commited suicide in 2005, which makes the
film ever more poignant. The film is also being introduced by a British
war veteran from the Korean war (the UK sometimes forget we were even
there), which will give the viewing some valuable perspective.
Beyond The Years by Im Kwon-taek on 27th March at 7pm
This
is a terrific film that leaves you contemplating for hours after you
have watched it, at least I did. Below is a brief review of the film
and please click here for the interview I had with Im Kwon-taek, which hopefully provides some insight into the film.
Brief Review
With
Im Kwon-taek’s 100th film, you have to take your hat off to him, or in
Korean style, bow like crazy. At 71, it easy to write off a director
and with the funding problems of this latest film, perhaps there was an
element of this. But, although it failed at the box office, it has got
to be the most beautiful film I have seen in 2007. Im Kwon-teak, in my
view follows realism in a different way compared to the likes of Lee
Chang-dong and exposes Korean culture not only to the international
audience, but asks Korean’s not to forget their heritage. The flashback
narrative is beautifully woven into the present and with faultless
performances from the cast, this film doesn’t fail to meet the standard
set by his critically acclaimed Sopyonje. This film is a masterpiece –
roll on his 101st film!
* * * * *
For more information on the screening, please refer to the press release, which is below:
Press Release
Korean Cultural Centre, UK
Beyond the Years (천년학)
Director: Im Kwon-taek (임권택)
Starring: Jo Jae-hyeon (조재현), Oh Jeong-hae (오정해) & Im Jin-taek (임진택)
Korean Release Date: 12 April 2007.
Venue: Multi-purpose hall,
Korean Cultural Centre UK
Date: Thursday, 27th March 2008
Running Time: 19:00 – 20:46 (106 mins)
BOOKING IS NECESSARY - AVAILABLE VIA:
Tel: 020 7004 2600
Email: kcclondon - at -googlemail.com
Website: www.london.korean-culture.org
KOREAN CULTURAL CENTRE UK, TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Thursday, March 27th 2008, 7:00 PM
As
part of the Korean Film Night programme, and following the first
successful showing of ‘Virgin Snow’, the Korean Cultural Centre UK
proudly presents the first UK release of ‘Beyond the Years.’
‘Beyond
the Years’ is the one hundredth film of the highly prolific director
Kwon Taek Im, casting Jae Hyun Cho (Dong Ho) and Jung Hae Oh (Song
Wha).
Dong Ho, a pansori drummer, is the adopted son of Yu
Bong and the brother of Song Wha, a beautiful girl training to become a
great pansori singer. Although Dong Ho develops an unspoken love for
Song Wha, a love that exceeds the normative affections between
siblings, his constant struggles with his father determines him to
leave home and find a better life. Yet wherever he walks, he cannot
forget his love. His heart compels him to return to Song Wha, dedicate
his life to her, and maintain the special relationship they enjoy.
The
film will hold its first showing in the UK in the modern Multi-purpose
hall of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, situated in the Grand Buildings,
Trafalgar Square.
For further information please contact:
Email: hyejung.jeon- at - kccuk.org.uk