'Escape from Mogadishu' reenacts heart-warming story of North and South Koreans Actors Koo Kyo-hwan, from left, Zo In-sung, Kim Yun-seok, and Huh Joon-ho pose for pictures during a media conference to promote the film “Escape from Mogadishu,” held in Lotte World Tower, Songpa-gu, eastern Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment By Lee Gyu-leeIt is widely known that the ongoing Somali Civil War started in 1991 with an uprising by the clan-based armed opposition group, or the United Somali Congress (USC), against a military junta led by Siad Barre. However, the upcoming film, “Escape from Mogadishu,” intends to shine the spotlight on the dramatic true story of South and North Korean diplomats coming together to flee the chaos in Somalia during that time. “When I read the script for this film, I thought it would be a wild and bold challenge (to make it into a film). I wondered how director Ryoo Seung-wan would make it possible. But if it can be made possible, I thought I should be part of it and took the role placing my faith in the directJul 23, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
'Black Widow' becomes highest grossing film so far this year “Black Widow” surpassed 2.3 million ticket sales, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Co. KoreaBy Lee Gyu-leeThe superhero film “Black Widow” has become the top-grossing film at this year's local box office, scoring the highest ticket sales so far. The Disney and Marvel Studios movie, starring Scarlett Johansson, sold about 2.3 million tickets as of Thursday morning, earning about 23 billion won ($20 million). This beats the previous record set by “F9,” the latest installment of the “Fast and Furious” franchise. The film has sold about 2.29 million tickets, garnering 22 billion won ($19 million). Since opening with ticket sales a little under 200,000 on July 7, “Black Widow” has topped the box office chart for almost two consecutive weeks before slipping to second place on Wednesday. The film surpassed $200 million worldwide on its opening weekend. Directed by Cate Shortland, the film is set between the cinematic timeline of the 2016 film "Captain America: Civil War" and the 2018 film "Avengers: Infinity War.” It followsJul 22, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
Jecheon International Music & Film Festival to kick off next month The 17th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival's programmer, Mang Soo-Jin, from left, director Cho Sung-woo, organizing committee head Lee Sang-chun and journalist Jang Sung-ran talk during the online press conference, Wednesday. Courtesy of JIM By Lee Gyu-leeThe 17th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) will be held as scheduled, from Aug. 12 to 17, despite the resurging number of COVID-19 cases in the country. “As an on-site film festival, its location, Jecheon, and the mid-summer season, hold a lot of meaning for our festival as its two greatest features. However, we have had struggles in keeping the festival together since we cannot easily bring people together due to the pandemic,” Cho Sung-woo, the director of the festival, said during the press conference, held online, Wednesday. “Nevertheless, our festival continues to strive to share the diversity of local films. Also, as the only music-themed film festival (in Korea), it's important foJul 21, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
'Black Widow' tops weekend Korean box office for 2nd straight week Marvel Studios' latest movie, "Black Widow," sat atop South Korea's weekend box office for the second consecutive week, data showed Monday. The superhero blockbuster attracted over 445,000 people over the Friday-Sunday period, bringing its combined total to nearly 2.14 million in less than two weeks since its release on July 7, according to data from the Korean Film Council. It became the fourth title released in 2021 to surpass the 2 million threshold, following the action film "F9," the Japanese animated film "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train" and the Disney-Pixar fantasy "Soul.""Black Widow" is expected to soon become the most-viewed film of the year to date here, overtaking the current No. 1, "F9," which has sold over 2.28 million tickets since its release on May 19.The Korean-Thai horror project "The Medium," which topped the daily chart Wednesday and Thursday, ranked second at the weekend box office, attracting 305,000 moviegoers. The American psychological thriller "Escape Room: Tournament of Champions" ranked third with 78,000 attendees, followed by DisneJul 19, 2021
Director Yoon Dae-woen wins 2nd prize in Cinefondation section at Cannes Director Yoon Dae-woen, second from left, poses along with other filmmakers Theo Degen (left), Carina-Gabriela Dasoveanu and Rodrigo Ribeyro, after being awarded the 2021 Cinefondation prizes during a ceremony held in the Bunuel Theatre, Friday (CET). Courtesy of the Festival de CannesKorean actors take part in the award as presenter, juryBy Kwak Yeon-sooAlthough no Korean titles competed for the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, director Yoon Dae-woen's short film, “Cicada,” won the second prize in the Cinefondation Selection, signaling a bright future for Korean films.The Cinefondation Selection was launched in 1988 as part of a search for talented new filmmakers. Yoon's 17-minute-long film, “Cicada,” which was his graduation project from the Korea National University of Arts, revolves around a transgender sex worker named Chang-hyun, who works on Sowol-gil, a street on Mount Nam. The film follows one strange night in the protagonist's life and likens the experience to that of a cicada coming out of its shell to full maturity.The 30-year-old diJul 18, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Collared: Tilda Swinton's spaniels win Palm Dog at Cannes Tilda Swinton poses for photographers upon arrival at the awards ceremony and premiere of the closing film 'OSS 117: From Africa with Love' at the 74th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, July 17. AP-YonhapTilda Swinton took home the fur-most prize at the Cannes film festival on Friday, when her three spaniels were given the Palm Dog award for their role in "The Souvenir Part 2".Rosie, Dora and their grandson Snowbear were sadly unable to attend the prestigious ceremony ― now in its 20th year ― on the rooftop terrace of the Marriott Hotel. But canine-lover Swinton was game enough to sport the prestigious red collar herself as she accepted the award on their behalf. "I tried to get the dogs here, but they're busy," Swinton said. "I hear they're on the beach in the Highlands in Scotland.""I have to tell you honestly, this is the prize to get," she added. "We're so stoked to get this prize. We've been eyeing this award for many years."The last Palm Dog was picked up in 2019 by Quentin Tarantino on behalf of Brandy who played Brad Pitt's trusty pitbull in "Once Upon A TJul 18, 2021
'Titane' wins top Cannes honor, 2nd ever for female director Director Julia Ducournau, center, winner of the Palme d'Or for the film 'Titane' poses with Agathe Roussell, left, and Vincent Lindon during the awards ceremony at the 74th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, July 17. AP-YonhapJulia Ducournau's ``Titane,'' a wild body-horror thriller featuring sex with a car and a surprisingly tender heart, won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, making Ducournau just the second female filmmaker to win the festival's top honor in its 74 year history.The win on Saturday was mistakenly announced by jury president Spike Lee at the top of the closing ceremony, broadcast in France on Canal+, unleashing a few moments of confusion. Ducournau, a French filmmaker, didn't come to the stage to accept the award until the formal announcement at the end of the ceremony. But the early hint didn't diminish from her emotional response. ``I'm sorry, I keep shaking my head,'' said Ducournau, catching her breath. ``Is this real? I don't know why I'm speaking English right now because I'm French. This evening has been so perfect because it was nJul 18, 2021
Golden Globes voters banned from accepting lavish gifts A general view of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which organizes the Golden Globes, is seen in West Hollywood, California, in this 2021 May file photo. AFP-Yonhap The organization behind Hollywood's glitzy Golden Globes has banned its members from accepting lavish gifts, trips and other freebies, after controversy over its ethics and practices has led to next year's ceremony being canceled.The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is scrambling to reform itself ― and the influential, but scandal-hit awards show its members vote on ― amid widespread criticism of the group's record on diversity and transparency.In particular, the exclusive group of 80-odd film journalists has been accused of exploiting the prestige that comes with a Globes nomination or win to gain lucrative perks and unparalleled access to Hollywood stars.Under new policies approved Thursday, "HFPA members shall not be permitted to accept promotional materials or other gifts from studiJul 17, 2021
Korean virus disaster flick has Cannes reaching for its masks From left, Yim Si-wan, Lee Byung-hun, director Han Jae-rim and Song Kang-ho pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Emergency Declaration' at the 74th Cannes International Film Festival in southern France, July 16. AP-Yonhap Cannes was shaken Friday by a South Korean virus movie about a bio-terrorist attack on a passenger plane. Eerily evocative of the ongoing COVID pandemic, "Emergency Declaration" by director Han Jae-rim tells the story of a vengeful biochemist spreading a deadly mutant corona-like virus on an aircraft.As passengers start dying messily, the authorities on the ground scramble for solutions.Critics at the thriller's first screening instinctively adjusted their masks ― which are mandatory during Cannes screenings ― as they watched the fictional, airborne virus spread death through the plane.But while the actual coronavirus pandemic loomed large during the filming of "Emergency Declaration", it was never meant to be its theme.Jul 17, 2021
Old-time movie theaters disappearing into history A pedestrian walks past the facade of the Seoul Cinema in Seoul, July 4. YonhapHit first by multiplexes, then by the pandemic, old-time movie houses pushed out of business By Kwak Yeon-sooSince the coronavirus outbreak, movie theaters, once teeming with cinephiles, have been struggling to stay afloat. Compared to multiplex operators, times for independent theaters were tougher. Small, independent theaters had been suffering a dramatic fall in audience numbers since the late 1990s when multiplexes run by nationwide theater chains appeared and absorbed movie fans by offering a wider selection of films.The lingering pandemic has dealt a final blow to the already struggling independent cinemas that have failed to entice audiences back. Seoul Cinema's recent announcement that it would close its shutters permanently at the end of August after 42 years in business is no surprise at all to those who are familiar with the film industry. Old movie houses have found it tough to hang in there. “Seoul Cinema, which has been loved as the cultural center of Jongno District for over 40 years, Jul 15, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
