Freddie Highmore in a scene from "August Rush"

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

How did a musical film about an orphan boy become a hit in Korea? It is still a question that puzzles even Richard Lewis, founder and chief executive officer of Southpaw Entertainment, who came up with the original idea for ``August Rush.''

In a telephone interview with The Korea Times, Lewis said he was pleased with the strong box office showing of ``August Rush,'' in Korea. The film has earned 2.5 billion won at the Korean box office since it opened in November.

Lewis is a seasoned Hollywood producer, having produced hit films including ``Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'' and ``Backdraft,'' as well as several TV shows. But ``August Rush" is a film that he created and produced through his company, outside the Hollywood studio system.

It was the birth of Lewis' son that sparked inspiration for the story of ``August Rush.'' The music of Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and Mark Mancina was playing when his son was born, and his son appeared to be enjoying the music. This prompted the doctor to remark: ``it looks like your kid is going to be a conductor.''

When he was a child, he also fell in love with the classic Charles Dickens story ``Oliver Twist.'' In ``August Rush," Evan Taylor (played by Freddie Highmore) is an orphaned musical prodigy who brings his parents together through music.

Lewis worked with director Kirsten Sheridan and assembled a talented cast composed of Robin Williams, Jonathan Rhys Myers, Keri Russell and Terrence Howard. Mancina composed the music for the film.

While planning the film, Lewis met Miky Lee, vice-chairman of CJ Entertainment, through a mutual friend in Los Angeles. ``CJ Entertainment's role is very important. CJ was one of the first to invest in the film, even before Warner Brothers stepped in (to invest)," he said.

The Korean entertainment giant contributed 5 percent or $1.5 million to the film's $30 million budget. As part of the deal, CJ Entertainment has co-production credits and holds the domestic distribution rights for the film.

This turned out to be a good business move, as CJ Entertainment announced last week that it expects to earn 4 billion won in profits from the film, excluding its investment.

Lewis doesn't quite know what it was about ``August Rush" that made it such a hit among Korean audiences. ``Some were saying it was because of the classical music or the romantic story. … But I would credit Lee's role in helping make the film, seeing how it worked well in Korea," he said.

Because of CJ Entertainment's involvement, small Korean roles were added in the film. Korean actress Ku Hye-sun and Epik High rapper Tablo appeared in cameo roles.
CJ Entertainment's CGV multiplex cinemas also contributed to the movie's success, as well as the marketing campaign on CJ cable television channels and M.net Media.

In contrast to the popularity of ``August Rush'' in Korea, the film's box office take in the U.S. was a modest $32 million to $35 million. The film opens in Japan, Australia, France and South America later this year.

Sales of the soundtrack are also doing very well in the U.S. and Korea. Based on the figures from the Recording Industry of Korea, ``August Rush'' soundtrack was the second best-selling foreign album in December.

Lewis' Southpaw Entertainment has several projects in the pipeline. He said he would love to work with CJ Entertainment again, and has already sent them scripts for consideration. ``CJ is a great partner. I'm hoping to work with them again,'' he said.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr