The Korea Herald

Asian indie films need more support: director

Oct 8, 2012

BUSAN (AFP) ― Asian Filmmaker of the Year Koji Wakamatsu has said a lack of government support for young directors in the region is stifling artistic freedom.“Only commercial films are being supported by government funds in Asia so young filmmakers are only making commercial films,” said Wakamatsu, who received the Busan International Film Festival honor for his contribution to independent cinema.“It comes back to the power of the multiplexes which will not screen smaller films,” the Japanese di
Director brings her unusual family reunion to screen

Oct 8, 2012

Japanese-born director’s ‘Our Homeland’ delves into hardships of ethnic Koreans in JapanBUSAN ― Japanese-born director Yang Yong-hi, who was in Korea last year with her personal documentary “Goodbye Pyongyang”― a cinematic account of her young niece who lives in Pyongyang, North Korea ― visited Busan with her first feature-length feature film, also based on her personal story of her unusual family. Yang, who was born and grew up in Osaka and obtained her South Korean citizenship in 2004, says sh
Hidden face behind the glamour

Oct 7, 2012

Make-up artist shares her six years’ experience working for BIFFBUSAN ― BIFF is one of the biggest fashion events in the country, on top of being the biggest film bash.And every actress needs perfect make-up to go with her stunning dress. Pro make-up artist Kim Eun-ji is one of the hidden faces behind the glamour; she has been working for BIFF’s opening ceremonies for the last six years, and experienced the highs and lows of the exciting event. On the morning after BIFF’s opening, the lobby of H
KOFIC to hold international movie forum at BIFF

Oct 7, 2012

BUSAN ― Korea Film Council announced on Sunday that it will hold a special forum about Asian cinema on Tuesday as a side event for the Busan Film Festival.The forum, which will take place at BEXCO in Busan, will be attended by Sanford Panitch, president of Fox International Productions; Hengameh Panahi, president of Celluloid Dreams; and Terence Chang, producer for Lion Rock Productions. The three panelists will discuss potential ways to launch joint film projects between Asian and non-Asian cou
Director Chung returns with graphic torture drama

Oct 7, 2012

‘Unbowed’ director says he wants presidential candidates to see his latest work, which recounts torture suffered by late democracy activist Kim Geun-taeBUSAN ― After highly controversial courtroom drama “Unbowed,” director Chung Ji-young has returned with another socially conscious, politically themed drama inspired by the true story of late politician and democracy activist Kim Geun-tae.In spite of its serious subject matter, last year’s “Unbowed” was often comical and humorous. Yet Chung’s lat
Pieta to compete in Moscow independent film festival:

Oct 7, 2012

Director Kim Ki-duk looks to add to his international acclaimFilmmaker Kim Ki-duk and his most recent film Pieta has been invited to the International Festival of Independent Films “2morrow/Zavtra” that will begin on Tuesday in Moscow. This festival presents a number of selected feature films, documentaries and video, art and experimental works by prominent directors. This year marks the sixth year of the independent film festival and ten films from all over the world including as Russia, France
Box Office

Oct 5, 2012

Ghost Sweepers (Korea)Opened Oct. 3Comedy. Horror. Supernatural. Directed by Shin Jeong-won. Chan-young (Kang Ye-won), a young, reckless newspaper reporter, investigates a village called Uljinri that is reportedly cursed by evil spirits. She realizes that even local shamans and religious leaders have abandoned the town. While exploring the village, Chan-young encounters a group of top shamans united by the common goal of eliminating the evil: exorcist Park (Kim soo-ro), Monk Shim-in (Kwak Do-Won
‘Wallflower’ lets us relish even the ugly side of high school

Oct 5, 2012

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is wistful, witty, romantic and sentimental, a “Breakfast Club” for the new millennium. It’s not high school as it really was and remains today. It is high school as it really should be.Writer-director Stephen Chbosky, adapting his own novel, presents a version of those years that is equal parts hopeful and cruel, with complicated, fragile kids with deep dark secrets and great, unrequited loves. The unpopular are protected from bullies by kind strangers, their p
Zhang, Cheung touched by Jang Dong-gun’s professionalism

Oct 5, 2012

Chinese actresses share their experience making Korean-Chinese production “Dangerous Liaisons”BUSAN -- Stars of one of the most anticipated films at this year’s BIFF shared thoughts on making of the film on the second day of the festival in Busan. China’s top actress Zhang Ziyi and Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung together praised Korean actor Jang Dong-gun, whom they co-starred with in Korean director Hur Jin-ho’s latest drama “Dangerous Liaisons” -- for his professionalism and looks. “I’ve bee
Busan film fest closes with fanfare

Oct 5, 2012

The 10-day Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) closed Saturday after demonstrating its growing stature as Asia's largest film event.The curtains came down with the screening of "Television," a family-focused movie directed by Mostafa Farooki from Bangladesh. In a departure from previous events that mostly opened or closed with Korean films, Hong Kong crime thriller "Cold War" featuring some big-name Chinese stars such as Aaron Kwok, Leung Tony Ka-fai and Andy Lau opened this year's festiva
No mid-life crisis for 007 as Bond films turn 50

Oct 4, 2012

LONDON (AP) ― It was a meeting of the two most famous British people on the planet: Queen Elizabeth II turned to her tuxedo-wearing guest and said, “Good evening, Mr. Bond.’’The pairing of these icons, the English monarch and the king of spies ― in a film for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics ― was a thrilling moment. It scarcely mattered that one of them was fictional. Agent 007 is real to millions of moviegoers, and once again they will flock to see Bond battle for queen and country
H.K. thriller opens Asia’s top film fest

Oct 4, 2012

BUSAN (AFP) ― A glittering line-up of Asia’s biggest stars converged on the South Korean port city of Busan on Thursday for the opening of the region’s premier film festival showcasing Asian cinema.Along with Korean heartthrobs Lee Byung-hun and Jun Ji-hyun, Chinese stars Tang Wei and Cecilia Cheung are attending the 10-day Busan International Film Festival.Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi ― currently taking legal action against a U.S.-based Chinese online news outlet over claims the “Crouching Tiger,
Bond girls show women's progress

Oct 4, 2012

This undated publicity photo provided by United Artists and Danjaq, LLC shows Ursula Andress in a scene from the James Bond film, "Dr. No." Her image personifies the gorgeous, mysterious cool of the Bond girl. The film is included in the MGM and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Blu-Ray "Bond 50" anniversary set. (AP-Yonhap News)This undated publicity photo provided by United Artists and Danjaq,
Bond fans set to mark 50 years of big-screen style

Oct 4, 2012

A series of events are to be held on Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond films, the iconic spy saga that helped define half-a-century of cultural, political and technological upheaval. The suave British agent, code name 007, appeared on the silver screen for the first time in the 1962 classic “Dr. No,” introducing himself with the immortal line ”Bond... James Bond“ over a high-stakes game of baccarat.Bond has been played by six different actors over the 22-series adventure, but
Chinese actress sues U.S. website over Bo link claims

Oct 4, 2012

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi walks in during the red carpet event for the 2nd Beijing International Film Festival on Tuesday. (AFP)Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is suing a US-based Chinese online news outlet over claims that she was a prostitute who had sex with top official Bo Xilai and others, a lawyer said Wednesday.The "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" star is taking legal action for libel in Los An