The Institute of Contemporary Art will be exposing the latest films from South Korea at its 6th London Korean Film Festival which takes place from the 4th to the 11th of November. A mix of award winning animated films, dramas, short films and even the Korean submission for the 84th Academy Awards: The Front Line.
So, what’s on offer?
A film focusing on memories and friendship, Sunny tells the story of Na-mi a new girl in town who becomes the target if bullies. Thankfully a strange group of misfit girls rescue her and she finds friendship with them until a terrible accident splits them up. Twenty-five years later, Na-mi regrets the course life has taken and strives to bring the misfits back together.
Dir. Kang Hyung-chul, South Korea 2011, 124mins, subtitled
Cast: Yoo H-jeong, Jin Hee-gyeong, Kh Sui-hee
The screening will take place on the 4th of November at 6:00
The Front Line is Korea’s official submission into the 84th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. It takes place near the end of ‘The Forgotten War’ where a bloody, never-ending battle, raged over the capture of a tiny hill at the border between North and South. A soldier names Kang travels to the battle and is confronted by the transforming nature of War and the effects it has had on the ones he loves.
Dir Jan Hoon, South Korea 2011, 133mins, subtitled
Cast: Shin Ha-kyun, Ko Soo, Ryu Seung-soo
The screening will take place on the 4th of November at 8:45
A story following the lives of those who cross the border between North and South Korea. A woman named Jung-nim who escapes over the border attempts to build a new life but she has left her husband behind. Her loneliness leads her to join a church group where she encounters similarly lonely people.
Dir. Jeon Kyu-kwan, South Korea 2011, 95mins, Subtitled
Cast: Hyuk-lee, Rha Mi-ran, Oh Seong-tae
The screening will take place on the 5th of November at 8:45
Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow
A serial killer stalks the streets of 16th Century Joseon. The King believes the killings are to cover up a conspiracy so he commissions the notorious Detective K, previously seen in Tsui Hark’s film. This time Detective K is more of a comedy with action.
Dir. Kim Sok-yun, South Korea 2011, 115mins, Subtitled
Cast: Kim Myung-min, Oh Dal-soo, Han Ji-min
The screening will take place on the 5th of November at 6:00
Leafie, a hen on a chicken farm, dreams of a life outside her cage and manages to escape from captivity. She finds herself plunged into a world of danger but also possibility. She must be careful because she is being hunted down by the weasel One Eye but she has a brave ‘guardian’ duck named Wanderer.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the Director, Oh Seongyun.
Dir. Oh Seongyun, South Korea 2011, 90mins, Subtitled
Voice Cast: Moon So-ri, Yoo Seung-ho, Choi Min-shik
The screening will take place on the 6th of November at 2:o0pm
Poongsan has a very dangerous job. He risks his life by crossing the border between North and South Korean, retrieving family members from the North. Government agents contract Poongsan to sneak out a girl, In-oak, who is the lover of a high-ranking North Korean defector. He quickly accomplishes the task but they fall in love leaving him with the choice of fulfilling his contract or saving the girl.
Dir. Juhn Jai-hong, S.Korea, 121mins, 2011, Subtitled
Cast: Yoon Kye-sang, Kim Gyu-ri
The screening will take place on Saunday the 6th of November at 6:30pm
Based on a novel and a film from the 60’s, this is an international film taking place between South Korean and America. It stars the gorgeous Tang Wei (Lust Caution) as Anne, a woman sentenced to prison for murdering her brutal husband. She is granted a brief leave of absence to attend her mother’s funeral in Seattle where she meets Hoon, a Korean immigrant who makes his living as a callboy and develops a relationship but it will be short-lived as Anne’s return to prison draws near and a personal secret Hoon holds comes out.
Dir. Kim Tae-yong, S.Korea 2010, 113mins
Cast: Hyun Bin, Tang Wei
The screening will take place on the 10th of November at 8:45pm
Described as a mad-cap adventure, the story concerns an ex-professional ball-player named Byeong-wu who has carved a successful career in the insurance world. All is going well until one of his clients commits suicide and the deceased daughter accuses him of helping aiding in the death and he comes under investigation.
Dir. Cho Jin-min, S.Korea, 124mins, 2011, Subtitled
Cast: Ryoo Seung-bum, Seong Dong-il, Park Chol-min
The screening will take place on the 10th of November at 6:00pm
There is also the Mise en Scene short film festival which contains a collection of short films from South Korea. With names like Park Chan-wook and an assortment of award winning titles containing fantasy films, Night Fishing, animation, City, dramas, The Promise and short, little comedies, Social Service Agent, it will run on two nights.
Genkinahito 