Looking Back to Stanley Kubrick
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Korea Times Intern
The movies of a perfectionist, who sought absolute beauty and pursued novel techniques, Stanley Kubrick, are to be shown at a festival here. The ``Stanley Kubrick Retrospective'' will be held at Seoul Art Cinema from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, sponsored by the Korean Association of Cinematheques and the Korean Film Council.
Kubrick (1928-1999) was an influential and highly praised Academy Award winning film director, considered one of the greatest in the 20th century. He directed a number of highly acclaimed and sometimes controversial movies.
The film festival will screen six masterpieces directed by Kubrick.
``The Killing'' (1956) is an early noir movie of Kubrick starring Sterling Hayden, based on the novel ``Clean Break'' by Lionel White.
``Lolita'' (1962) was praised for its perfect adoption of the delicate feelings in Vladimir Nabokov's book. Sue Lyon, who played the title role, won a Golden Globe for Best Newcomer Actress.
``2001: A Space Odyssey'' (1968) is a classic science fiction movie. Despite controversial reviews when first released, nowadays this movie is recognized as one of the greatest films ever made.
``A Clockwork Orange'' (1971) explores the shocking violence of human society. Filmed in London, this movie emphasizes the importance of free will.
``Barry Lyndon'' (1975) is notable for using candlelight as the only light source, which results in unique oil painting-like movie screen. This movie depicts the lifestyle of an 18th century social climber who slowly positions himself in English high society.
``The Shining'' (1980) is about a family vacation in a hotel built on a cemetery site. It shows American history and family relations as a horror movie.
All films are in English with Korean subtitles.
In addition to the movies, movie directors and critics will talk about the world of Kubrick at three special cinema talk sections. Bong Joon-ho, director of ``The Host,'' and Im Phil-sung , director of ``Antarctic Journal,'' will appear after the showing of ``The Shining'' at 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 30; Kim Han-min, director of ``Paradise Murdered,'' and Lee Woo-chul, director of ``Cello,'' after the showing of ``2001: A Space Odyssey'' at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 1; and Kim Young-jin (movie critic) and Kim Sung-wook (Seoul Art Cinema programmer) after ``Barry Lyndon'' at 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 2.
Tickets are 6,000 won for all movies. Discounts are available for the young, senior citizens and groups. Tickets can be bought through www.maxmovie.com, www.yes24.com and www.ticketlink.co.kr in advance or can be purchased at Seoul Art Cinema. Seoul Art Cinema is located near Jongno 3-ga Station on subway lines 1, 3, and 5.
For more information about the film festival, visit www.cinematheque.seoul.kr or call (02) 741-9782.