"It's about time you grew up." Film Movement has revealed a brand new official trailer for a 4K restoration and re-release of a cult classic Korean indie film from 2002. Oasis was the third feature made by Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong, who later went on to make a splash worldwide with his film Burning in 2018. In this film Oasis, an irresponsible and childish ex-con fresh out of prison befriends a girl with cerebral palsy and develops a progressively stronger bond with her. Co-starring Sol Kyung-gu and Moon So-ri. Winner of the Silver Lion for Best Director and Best Young Actress at the Venice Film Festival, Lee Chang-dong's Oasis is a "brave film" that "shows two people who find any relationship almost impossible, and yet find a way to make theirs work." (From a positive Roger Ebert review.) It was also South Korea's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the...
- 4/1/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Though South Korea’s hardly produced a better-seen, more-beloved auteur, Lee Chang-dong hasn’t been quite so represented as the reputation suggests. Thus the work of restoring his earlier films is a major necessity and all the more reason to celebrate Film Movement’s forthcoming releases of his feature debut, 1997’s Green Fish, and 2002’s Oasis, screening as part of Metrograph’s retrospective “Novel Encounters: the Films of Lee Chang-dong,” running from April 5 to April 28. Ahead of this momentous occasion we’re pleased to exclusively present trailers for both.
If, on the good chance you’re not familiar with either, here are synopses for Green Fish and Oasis, respectively:
Already established as a novelist and playwright, Lee made the leap to the director’s chair with this spectacularly assured first feature, a scourging commentary on South Korean society dressed up in film noir trappings, focused on a freshly demobbed young man (Han Suk-gyu) who,...
If, on the good chance you’re not familiar with either, here are synopses for Green Fish and Oasis, respectively:
Already established as a novelist and playwright, Lee made the leap to the director’s chair with this spectacularly assured first feature, a scourging commentary on South Korean society dressed up in film noir trappings, focused on a freshly demobbed young man (Han Suk-gyu) who,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
His next film, “Oasis”, was a transitional one, since his focus started to change from male characters to female, although in the particular movie, it lies in both. At the same time, his way of shooting also changed. As Lee states: “I used to plan everything out and shoot the scenes accordingly, but with “Oasis”, I tried not to script things. If I saw a pattern, I changed it. If you script things, you can only see the emotions of the main characters. We went through many takes with the supporting actors. And sometimes for the extras also. I think everything in the frame influences the main character's emotions. If their actions contradict this in any way, it can dilute the emotion. That's why I was so picky about these small details. Sol Kyung-gu told me that I could only see the drawbacks” (Source: Kim Young-jin, “Lee Chang-dong“, Seoul, Korean Film Council,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
New York's Metrograph Theater is proud to announce the details of Novel Encounters: the Films of Lee Chang-dong, their upcoming retrospective headlined by the New York Premieres of four new 4K restorations of Lee Chang-dong's directorial works; Green Fish (1997), Peppermint Candy (1999), Oasis (2002), and Poetry (2010). The series begins April 5th and also includes Lee's critically acclaimed Burning, South Korea's entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, and his 2007 Cannes Award-Winning Secret Sunshine, alongside a filmmaker-curated duo of his most celebrated and valued writing and producing efforts: Ouni Lecomte's A Brand New Life and July Jung's A Girl at My Door. Each restoration title, which are being released by Film Movement Classics in North America, will have a week-long run at the esteemed Lower East Side repertory and first-run cinema, marking their US Theatrical Premieres.
Poetry
Filmmaker, playwright, and novelist, Lee Chang-dong has been a vital force...
Poetry
Filmmaker, playwright, and novelist, Lee Chang-dong has been a vital force...
- 2/14/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The 46-title line-up was announced on Wednesday (April 19).
The inaugural Danang Asian Film Festival (Danaff) is set to be Vietnam’s first film festival organised regionally, following the promulgation of a new Cinema Law that came into effect in January this year.
Danaff is jointly organized by Vietnam Association of Film Promotion and Development (Vfda) and Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee, with the support of the Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema (Netpac). It will run from May 9-13 in the coastal city of Da Nang, situated in central Vietnam.
Vfda chairwoman and director of Danaff Ngo...
The inaugural Danang Asian Film Festival (Danaff) is set to be Vietnam’s first film festival organised regionally, following the promulgation of a new Cinema Law that came into effect in January this year.
Danaff is jointly organized by Vietnam Association of Film Promotion and Development (Vfda) and Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee, with the support of the Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema (Netpac). It will run from May 9-13 in the coastal city of Da Nang, situated in central Vietnam.
Vfda chairwoman and director of Danaff Ngo...
- 4/20/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Kim Hee-Ae is back with an expensive wardrobe and a powerful performance on Netflix’s “Queenmaker.” For the most part, her character is rather meek compared to the one in “The World Of The Married,” but we’re only two episodes in, so much more is yet to happen. Alongside her, we have Moon So-Ri, Seo Yi-Sook, Yoon Ji-Hye, Kim Sae-Byuk, and Ryu Soo-Young in pivotal roles. We wouldn’t go so far as to call “Queenmaker” a “Makjang” drama just yet, but we can wait a little bit to confirm this. The K-drama takes time to set its pace and might get a bit slow in places. Let’s find out if there’s a payoff.
Spoilers Ahead
What Happens In ‘Queenmaker’ Episodes 1 & 2?
The first two episodes of “Queenmaker” are setting Hwang Do-Hee up to find her place against the massive Eunsung group. Hwang Do-Hee is like a loyal...
Spoilers Ahead
What Happens In ‘Queenmaker’ Episodes 1 & 2?
The first two episodes of “Queenmaker” are setting Hwang Do-Hee up to find her place against the massive Eunsung group. Hwang Do-Hee is like a loyal...
- 4/15/2023
- by Ruchika Bhat
- Film Fugitives
Queenmaker is a new Korean Netflix series directed by Jin Suk Oh and starring Kim Hee-ae, Luna So-ri and Su-yeong ryu.
Queenmaker is a curious Korean series with a very, very special protagonist played by Kim Hee-ae. A mix of comedy and drama quite, quite interesting and, above all, with a different flavor.
A series that makes the “bad guys” (supposedly) a little more human (just a little).
Plot
An excellent image consultant does the impossible: she cleans up the image of the meanest and cruelest bosses in town. After suffering an accident, she faces her greatest challenge: to make a woman lawyer becomes the mayor.
Is it really possible to give a lawyer a good image?
About the series
A fun and entertaining series that, at least, has a different plot, and that is appreciated among a grid of repetitive series and hackneyed plots.
Yes, South Korea is currently...
Queenmaker is a curious Korean series with a very, very special protagonist played by Kim Hee-ae. A mix of comedy and drama quite, quite interesting and, above all, with a different flavor.
A series that makes the “bad guys” (supposedly) a little more human (just a little).
Plot
An excellent image consultant does the impossible: she cleans up the image of the meanest and cruelest bosses in town. After suffering an accident, she faces her greatest challenge: to make a woman lawyer becomes the mayor.
Is it really possible to give a lawyer a good image?
About the series
A fun and entertaining series that, at least, has a different plot, and that is appreciated among a grid of repetitive series and hackneyed plots.
Yes, South Korea is currently...
- 4/14/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
K-drama fans have a lot more projects to look forward to. While Netflix has a long list of original K-dramas, unscripted series, and more planned for 2023, so does Disney+. The streaming platform is ready to release a few K-dramas fans have been eager to see since last year. Fans got their first teasers from Go Yoon-jung’s Moving to Nam Joo-hyuk’s latest role while serving in the military.
‘The Devil,’ ‘Vigilante,’ and ‘Dr. Romantic’ Season 3 K-dramas | via Disney+ Disney+ will release the 2023 K-drama ‘Han River’ about its police enforcers
Anyone who knows about South Korea knows one of its biggest attractions is the Han River. It is a go-to spot for couples, tourists, or friends who want to hang out and have fun. Disney+ developed an original K-drama for 2023 titled Han River. The action-comedy stars Kwon Sang-woo and Kim Hee-won as the leading characters.
Du-jin (Kwon) and Chun-seok (Kim...
‘The Devil,’ ‘Vigilante,’ and ‘Dr. Romantic’ Season 3 K-dramas | via Disney+ Disney+ will release the 2023 K-drama ‘Han River’ about its police enforcers
Anyone who knows about South Korea knows one of its biggest attractions is the Han River. It is a go-to spot for couples, tourists, or friends who want to hang out and have fun. Disney+ developed an original K-drama for 2023 titled Han River. The action-comedy stars Kwon Sang-woo and Kim Hee-won as the leading characters.
Du-jin (Kwon) and Chun-seok (Kim...
- 4/11/2023
- by Gabriela Silva
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Whether it’s overcoming a mental handicap or fighting for their rights, Korea’s women-led stories are evolving as the local industry kicks some of its dated stereotypes for female characters.
Recent shows “The Glory,” “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” “Little Women” and “Twenty-Five, Twenty-One” not only delve into social issues in Korea, but highlight the strength and depth of character of their female leads.
Three of these were top-10 shows for Netflix in 2022, while data from FlixPatrol shows revenge thriller “The Glory” as the number one TV show on the streamer this year in South Korea, as of Feb. 24.
While Korea’s rigidly hierarchical society and history has traditionally put women at the bottom of society, that same rigidity moulded strong, creative women who overcame hardship and prejudice. Finally, these traits are being reflected in content hitting the small screen.
“Back in the day when the country lived in great poverty...
Recent shows “The Glory,” “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” “Little Women” and “Twenty-Five, Twenty-One” not only delve into social issues in Korea, but highlight the strength and depth of character of their female leads.
Three of these were top-10 shows for Netflix in 2022, while data from FlixPatrol shows revenge thriller “The Glory” as the number one TV show on the streamer this year in South Korea, as of Feb. 24.
While Korea’s rigidly hierarchical society and history has traditionally put women at the bottom of society, that same rigidity moulded strong, creative women who overcame hardship and prejudice. Finally, these traits are being reflected in content hitting the small screen.
“Back in the day when the country lived in great poverty...
- 3/8/2023
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
When the history books are written to include modern world cinema, one name that is sure to be mentioned as a titan not just of Korean or Asian cinema, but cinema in general, will undoubtedly be that of South Korean maestro Lee Chang-dong. In a career spanning more than 25 years now, starting in the early days of the Korean New Wave all the way till the modern day, Lee has made a mere six feature films, almost all of which are generally considered among the finest. In their 2022 edition, the Jeonju International Film Festival held a retrospective of the celebrated director’s works, which included 4k remastered versions of all of Lee’s feature films, along with the world premieres of his new short “Heartbeat” and “Lee Chang-dong: The Art of Irony”, a new retrospective documentary by French director Alain Mazars.
Much like Lee’s breakthrough sophomore work “Peppermint Candy...
Much like Lee’s breakthrough sophomore work “Peppermint Candy...
- 2/23/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
“Seoul Vibe”, the newest film directed by Moon Hyun-sung (whose previous works include 2012 period sports drama “As One” and 2017 even more period crime-mystery “The King’s Case Note”), certainly promises a lot of fun. It is a period piece set in the politically interesting times in recent history, and an action comedy with a lot of car chases. Regarding those things, it is a bit of pity that it came to us via Netflix, meaning only on the small screens, since a movie theatre feels like a natural setting for watching such a flick.
We meet our protagonists, Dong-wook and Joon-gi (Ong Seong-wu) at the end of their mission in Saudi Arabia where they were tasked by their Korean boss with transporting guns and ammo across the desert in the back of a pick-up truck. After the job is accomplished and paid, they return back to Seoul with a dream...
We meet our protagonists, Dong-wook and Joon-gi (Ong Seong-wu) at the end of their mission in Saudi Arabia where they were tasked by their Korean boss with transporting guns and ammo across the desert in the back of a pick-up truck. After the job is accomplished and paid, they return back to Seoul with a dream...
- 1/16/2023
- by Marko Stojiljković
- AsianMoviePulse
What: The 42nd edition of the Hawai’i International Film Festival (Hiff) presented by Halekulani continues celebrating the best of indie cinema through: in-person screenings, online presentations, and panel events with industry luminaries. As part of the annual Hiff tradition, the festival will recognize Hiff Awards Gala Honorees as outstanding artists for their commitment to excellence in their field. The Gala also provides an opportunity to announce the Competition Winners, including recipients for this year’s Made in Hawai’i Award.
When: This year’s honorees – Hirokazu Kore-eda, Jung Woo-Sung, Simu Liu, Kerry Warkia, Auli’i Carvalho and Josie Ho – will be honored at the Awards Gala on Sunday November 13th, 2022 at 6pm Hst.
HIFF42 Halekulani Vision in Film Award – Hirokazu Kore-eda
HIFF42 Halekulani Career Achievement Award – Jung Woo-Sung
HIFF42 Halekulani Maverick Award – Simu Liu
HIFF42 Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award Presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications...
When: This year’s honorees – Hirokazu Kore-eda, Jung Woo-Sung, Simu Liu, Kerry Warkia, Auli’i Carvalho and Josie Ho – will be honored at the Awards Gala on Sunday November 13th, 2022 at 6pm Hst.
HIFF42 Halekulani Vision in Film Award – Hirokazu Kore-eda
HIFF42 Halekulani Career Achievement Award – Jung Woo-Sung
HIFF42 Halekulani Maverick Award – Simu Liu
HIFF42 Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award Presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications...
- 10/28/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Netflix announced in its worldwide “Tudum” event last year that they were going in hard on their investment in Korean content and while they had been producing tv dramas more often, they confirmed their resolution of doubling down on film productions. One of the most exciting titles they announced at the event was “Seoul Vibe” by “As One” director Moon Hyun-sung, which is finally gearing up for a release.
Synopsis
Worldwide excitement is escalating in Seoul in the days leading up to the opening of the 1988 Summer Olympics. The fashion is old school, the music is sentimental and the racing is the best in the world. The drivers of the Sanggye-dong Supreme Team receive an offer they can’t refuse and become mired in a VIP slush fund investigation.
– Top drifter, Dong-wook
– S.P.Y DJ, John
– Human navigation system, Bok-nam
– Master of disguise on a motorcycle, Yoon-hee
– MacGyver of Sanggye-dong,...
Synopsis
Worldwide excitement is escalating in Seoul in the days leading up to the opening of the 1988 Summer Olympics. The fashion is old school, the music is sentimental and the racing is the best in the world. The drivers of the Sanggye-dong Supreme Team receive an offer they can’t refuse and become mired in a VIP slush fund investigation.
– Top drifter, Dong-wook
– S.P.Y DJ, John
– Human navigation system, Bok-nam
– Master of disguise on a motorcycle, Yoon-hee
– MacGyver of Sanggye-dong,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
An eighth-grade student kills himself but not before writing down the names of the students who victimised him. Their parents are then called into the school and they begin to argue about who should shoulder responsibility.
(Source: Far East Films)
Based on the Japanese play “Oya no Kao ga Mitai” by Seigo Hatasawa, this film is directed by Kim Ji-hoon (Sinkhole) with a stellar cast including Sol Kyung-gu, Chun Woo-hee, Moon So-ri, Ko Chang-seok, Oh Dal-su, Kim Hong-fa and Nam Gi-ae.
Theatrical release in South Korea: April 27, 2022.
(Source: Far East Films)
Based on the Japanese play “Oya no Kao ga Mitai” by Seigo Hatasawa, this film is directed by Kim Ji-hoon (Sinkhole) with a stellar cast including Sol Kyung-gu, Chun Woo-hee, Moon So-ri, Ko Chang-seok, Oh Dal-su, Kim Hong-fa and Nam Gi-ae.
Theatrical release in South Korea: April 27, 2022.
- 4/15/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Sometimes a film gets stuck in release hell due to events out of the production and distribution companies’ hands. Kim Ji-hoon’s “I Want to Know Your Parents” is one such feature. A production that has been ready since 2017, long before Kim’s latest release which was last year’s “Sinkhole”, but had to be shelved because of allegations of sexual harassment against actor Oh Dal-su in the early days of Korea’s #metoo movement. However, since his name was cleared by the courts in Korea, films involving him are starting to find their way into theatres and “I Want to Know Your Parents” is easily the most high profile of the gestating projects.
Synopsis
Kim Geon-woo, student of the prestigious Haneum International Middle School attempts suicide, but not before naming four of his classmates for incessantly bullying him and driving him towards the step. All four perpetrators are children...
Synopsis
Kim Geon-woo, student of the prestigious Haneum International Middle School attempts suicide, but not before naming four of his classmates for incessantly bullying him and driving him towards the step. All four perpetrators are children...
- 4/6/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
It is not just Korean actors that are trying their hand at directing. After Moon So-ri made a promising directorial debut with “The Running Actress”, it is “The Villainess” actress Jo Eun-ji who steps behind the camera for the upcoming comedy “Perhaps Love”.
Synopsis
“Perhaps Love” is a comedy about a best selling writer named Hyeon who’s been in the slumps for 7 years meeting a wannabe writer Yoo-jin.
The feature, which was previously titled “Not the Lips”, stars Ryoo Seung-ryong, one of Korea’s most bankable stars and whose last released film was the smash-hit “Extreme Job”, in the lead role of writer Hyeon. Joining the cast are Oh Na-ra (“Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies”), Kim Hee-won (“The Man from Nowhere”), Lee Yoo-young (“Grass”) and Sung Yoo-bin (“Moonlit Winter”). “Perhaps Love” is scheduled for a November, 2021 release.
Synopsis
“Perhaps Love” is a comedy about a best selling writer named Hyeon who’s been in the slumps for 7 years meeting a wannabe writer Yoo-jin.
The feature, which was previously titled “Not the Lips”, stars Ryoo Seung-ryong, one of Korea’s most bankable stars and whose last released film was the smash-hit “Extreme Job”, in the lead role of writer Hyeon. Joining the cast are Oh Na-ra (“Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies”), Kim Hee-won (“The Man from Nowhere”), Lee Yoo-young (“Grass”) and Sung Yoo-bin (“Moonlit Winter”). “Perhaps Love” is scheduled for a November, 2021 release.
- 10/25/2021
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
The bonds between the cinemas of East and West continue to strengthen with each passing year and the Feff Campus will again help further this vital cause by hosting (online) 10 aspiring journalists – five from Asia and five from Europe –at this year’s 23st edition of the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy from 24 June to 2 July. After sorting through applications that came in from across the globe, Feff is very proud to announce that this year’s successful Campus candidates are Jason Tan Liwag (Philippines), Sakura Ip (Hong Kong), Richard Olano (Philippines), Hai Anh Vu (Vietnam), Yuxi Wang (China), Emilia Cristante (Itay), Jenni Leppihuhta (Finland), Levan Tskhovrebadze (Georgia), Chris Cassingham (United Kingdom), and Nejc Fegus (Slovenia). They will now officially join the Feff family across the course of this year’s festival, beaming in from around the world as they engage in a programme that will help them...
- 6/10/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Court room dramas are not exactly common in Korean cinema, but the genre does have a legacy, with films like “Unbowed” and “The Attorney”. “Juror 8” comes to continue in those footsteps, although in a completely different style, since the script is based on the first jury trial in Korea, thus focusing on them and not a lawyer or an accused, while the approach is more entertainment-oriented. Lastly, it is also worth noting that the protagonist, Park Hyung-sik, who is also a member of the boy group Ze:a, won a number of newcomer awards for his performance.
“Juror 8” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest
As the first Citizen Participation Trial is about to commence is South Korea, all the media’s attention is on the case, along with the jurors, the presiding judge Kim Joon-gyeom, and the accused, a man who is obviously of limited mental ability...
“Juror 8” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest
As the first Citizen Participation Trial is about to commence is South Korea, all the media’s attention is on the case, along with the jurors, the presiding judge Kim Joon-gyeom, and the accused, a man who is obviously of limited mental ability...
- 5/26/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
In true Hong Sang-soo fashion, “Hahaha” is riveting in its surface level simplicity, with a remarkable amount of underlying depth. Featuring fantastic performances from Kim Sang-kyung, Yoo Jun-sang and recent Oscar winning Youn Yuh-jung, “Hahaha” is a must watch for any arthouse enthusiast.
“Hahaha” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest
“Hahaha” tells the intertwined story of two men, movie director Jo Moon-kyung (Kim Sang-kyung) and writer Bang Joong-sik (Yoo Jun-sang), who catch up while having a drink, both narrating the story of their recent travels to the same town of Tongyeong, South Korea. Unbeknownst to both of them, their stories are heavily connected, with each interaction having an impact on the other’s story, and characters overlapping.
If you enjoy Hong Sang-soo, there is no reason you shouldn’t love “Hahaha”. It ticks all the Hss boxes, and it does so in an incredible way. When watching “Hahaha...
“Hahaha” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest
“Hahaha” tells the intertwined story of two men, movie director Jo Moon-kyung (Kim Sang-kyung) and writer Bang Joong-sik (Yoo Jun-sang), who catch up while having a drink, both narrating the story of their recent travels to the same town of Tongyeong, South Korea. Unbeknownst to both of them, their stories are heavily connected, with each interaction having an impact on the other’s story, and characters overlapping.
If you enjoy Hong Sang-soo, there is no reason you shouldn’t love “Hahaha”. It ticks all the Hss boxes, and it does so in an incredible way. When watching “Hahaha...
- 5/22/2021
- by Reinier Brands
- AsianMoviePulse
Over 100 films, stories of women, of precarious work, portraits of contemporary Korean society, between bourgeoisie and working classes; this is the 19th edition of the Florence Korea Film Fest, the most important Italian festival dedicated to the best of cinematography of contemporary South Korea, from 21 to 28 May in Florence, live (pending the provisions regarding the health emergency) at the La Compagnia cinema and online on the Più Compagnia and Mymovies.it platforms. The event, conceived and directed by Riccardo Gelli of the Taegukgi – Toscana Korea Association, is organized with the support of the Tuscany System Foundation, the Tuscany Region, the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Municipality of Florence, Kofic – Korean Film Council.
As every year, the Programme features a rich lineup of over 100 films, including short films and documentaries. Spotlights are on the homage to Kim Ki-Duk, one of the most important filmmakers in world cinema – who recently passed away, at...
As every year, the Programme features a rich lineup of over 100 films, including short films and documentaries. Spotlights are on the homage to Kim Ki-Duk, one of the most important filmmakers in world cinema – who recently passed away, at...
- 5/20/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Some films just leave you dumbfounded. Dead in your tracks they leave you speechless, standing in awe at their very presence, the journey they immerse you in arouses your curiosity in previously unfathomable ways. Their very creation beggar’s belief. These films come but once in a blue moon and need to be shouted about from the rooftops for all to hear, drawing in as large a crowd as possible to witness the same audio-visual stimuli you just experienced. They need to be seen to be believed. In the case of Lee Okseop’s outwardly bizarre debut feature-length ‘Maggie’, such a sensation occurs for all the wrong reasons.
“Maggie” is screening in Hong Kong Arts Centre on Friday 21/5 at 7:30 pm
as part of Women Direct. Korean Indies! – Korean Women Independent Film series, under the signature programme of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Independently Yours
A visual stream-of-consciousness if ever there was one,...
“Maggie” is screening in Hong Kong Arts Centre on Friday 21/5 at 7:30 pm
as part of Women Direct. Korean Indies! – Korean Women Independent Film series, under the signature programme of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Independently Yours
A visual stream-of-consciousness if ever there was one,...
- 5/5/2021
- by James Cansdale-Cook
- AsianMoviePulse
There is far more to the plot of Lee Chang-dong’s “Oasis” than initially meets the eye. The opening hour of the movie appears to be a rather bland and generic take on a melodrama with an unlikely match, between an ex-con Hong Jong-du (Sol Kyung-du) and Han Gong-du (Moon So-ri), who suffers from cerebral palsy. Fortunately, the romantic plot is later nuanced by a more layered focus on social issues and tensions within the families of both of the main characters.
We meet Jong-du a mere couple of hours after his release from a prison. He did time for killing a man in a hit-and-run, but shows lack of remorse for the deed. His comeback isn’t welcome by the family. A sister-in-law admits to him bluntly: “with you out of the way I felt good about life”. With no money in his pocket, lack of...
We meet Jong-du a mere couple of hours after his release from a prison. He did time for killing a man in a hit-and-run, but shows lack of remorse for the deed. His comeback isn’t welcome by the family. A sister-in-law admits to him bluntly: “with you out of the way I felt good about life”. With no money in his pocket, lack of...
- 4/20/2021
- by Olek Młyński
- AsianMoviePulse
It is often through specific places and memories that we try and re-connect with our past, a chance encounter or perhaps a missed opportunity, However, as these concepts change, we are often left disappointed when comparing what we associate with the place to the way it is in reality, and how it has been shaped by time and people over the years. This is one of the themes which is at the core of Korean director Hong Sang-soo’s feature “Hill of Freedom”, which premiered during the 71st Venice Film Festival and also won Best Film at the 34th Korean Association of Film Critics Award. Combining his sense of place and realism, which is a common feature in his body of work, Hong Sang-soo tells a story about a man who is trying to re-connect with a past love in a place that was once very special to both of them,...
- 2/7/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Moon So-ri returns to the big screen and this time, she is bringing two on-screen sisters with her in Lee Seung-won’s drama “3 Sisters”.
Synopsis
A story that follows 3 sisters: oldest sister Hee-sook, middle sister Mi-yeon and youngest sister Mi-ok.
Oldest sister Hee-sook is a devoted housewife, who takes care of her husband and daughter. She has the type of personality where she does not express her feelings. One day, Hee-sook learns that she has cancer. Middle sister Mi-yeon wants a peaceful life with her husband, who is a professor. She works as church choirmaster. She experiences extreme turmoil when she witnesses her husband having an affair with a choir member. Youngest sister Mi-ok works as a playwright. She married a divorced man in a fit of anger. Now, she has a husband and a stepson.
These three sisters carry own their personal wounds. For their father’s birthday, they gather at his home.
Synopsis
A story that follows 3 sisters: oldest sister Hee-sook, middle sister Mi-yeon and youngest sister Mi-ok.
Oldest sister Hee-sook is a devoted housewife, who takes care of her husband and daughter. She has the type of personality where she does not express her feelings. One day, Hee-sook learns that she has cancer. Middle sister Mi-yeon wants a peaceful life with her husband, who is a professor. She works as church choirmaster. She experiences extreme turmoil when she witnesses her husband having an affair with a choir member. Youngest sister Mi-ok works as a playwright. She married a divorced man in a fit of anger. Now, she has a husband and a stepson.
These three sisters carry own their personal wounds. For their father’s birthday, they gather at his home.
- 12/19/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
I Don’T Want To Die Alone
The year is 1999. A man on the verge of a psychotic breakdown attends a reunion organized by his old classmates, some of whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years. The gathering takes place near a river and some train tracks, and it isn’t long before he decides to use them. He starts going nuts, frantically sprinting through the water until he vanishes. Only to reappear on the train tracks, in a complete state of distress, yelling out the final words: “I’m going back!“. The poor man then willingly lets the oncoming train crush him into oblivion. That man was Kim Yongho and what happens next in “Peppermint Candy” is quite interesting…
In reverse chronology*, we go back three days to see what lead to his sudden departure from this world. What we find is a man on the brink of insanity,...
The year is 1999. A man on the verge of a psychotic breakdown attends a reunion organized by his old classmates, some of whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years. The gathering takes place near a river and some train tracks, and it isn’t long before he decides to use them. He starts going nuts, frantically sprinting through the water until he vanishes. Only to reappear on the train tracks, in a complete state of distress, yelling out the final words: “I’m going back!“. The poor man then willingly lets the oncoming train crush him into oblivion. That man was Kim Yongho and what happens next in “Peppermint Candy” is quite interesting…
In reverse chronology*, we go back three days to see what lead to his sudden departure from this world. What we find is a man on the brink of insanity,...
- 10/14/2012
- by The0racle
- AsianMoviePulse
VENICE, Italy -- Scottish actor-director Peter Mullan's The Magdalene Sisters, a hard-hitting depiction of brutality within Ireland's Catholic Magdalene convent schools, won the 59th Venice International Film Festival's Golden Lion, the event's top prize, on Sunday. Venice's best director award went to Russian director Andrei Konchalovski's Dom Durakov (House of Fools), a drama set in a psychiatric institute during the 1966 Chechen war. Korean director Lee Chang-dong's Oasis, a touching tale of a difficult love affair between two handicapped people, won the Grand Jury Prize as well as the Marcello Mastroianni Award for best young performer, which went to actress Moon So-ri. Mullan's depiction in Magdalene of jail-like conditions coupled with psychological violence that thousands of Irish women allegedly suffered in the recently abolished institutions has ruffled feathers within the Italian Catholic Church. Catholic daily L'Osservatore Romano has charged that the film misrepresents reality.
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