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
Filmmakers, activists call for climate efforts in Cannes From left, Paloma Moritz, Marie Amiguet, Cyril Dion, Louis Garrel and Bella Lack attend the press conference for 'Cinema For The Climate' during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, July 11. EPA-YonhapDocumentary makers and environmental activists including British teenager Bella Lack on Sunday said they hoped to inspire more efforts on climate change, including through several films with hopeful messages presented at the Cannes Film Festival.The world's biggest cinema showcase is back after a 2020 hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has this year highlighted productions with an environmental focus in a special selection.The festival, which has attracted people from around the world, including big hitting Hollywood stars like Adam Driver and Matt Damon, has also tried to cut back on waste, using some hybrid or electric cars to shuttle people around and replacing its red carpet, which it used to change three times a day, with recycle-friendly material, organizers said.The world of film could also be an example in other ways, said 18-year-old activist Lack, whoJul 12, 2021
'Black Widow' surpasses 1 million ticket sales in local box office “Black Widow” was released in Korean cinemas on Wednesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Co. KoreaBy Lee Gyu-leeThe blockbuster action film “Black Widow” has surpassed 1 million ticket sales in Korea, topping the local box office for four consecutive days after hitting theaters last Wednesday.Marvel Studios' latest movie saw over 430,000 ticket sales on Saturday, grossing 4.42 billion won ($3.85 million). Cumulative sales totaled about 1.02 million tickets grossing 10.33 billion won. It has become the sixth film to surpass 1 million sales in this year's local box office, following films like “F9” and “Minari.”The film opened at the top of the box office chart last week with a little less than 200,000 tickets sold, grossing 1.98 billion won. Directed by Cate Shortland, “Black Widow” follows one of the Avengers, Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), also known as Black Widow, after where the 2016 film “Captain America: Civil War” left off. She reunites with Yelena (Florence Pugh), a sister figure who asks for her help iJul 11, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW SEFF Director: 'Today's environmental problems implicate all of us' Lee Myung-se has directed the annual Seoul Eco Film Festival since 2018. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulFilm director Lee Myung-se highlights critical role of environmental film festival in SeoulBy Ko Dong-hwanLee Myung-se speaks during the opening ceremony of 18th Seoul Eco Film Festival at Rachel Carson Hall in Greenfund's headquarters in Seoul's Jung District on June 3. Courtesy of Seoul Eco Film FestivalHaving overseen the annual Seoul Eco Film Festival (SEFF) since 2018, veteran Korean film director Lee Myung-se has seen more clearly that “human errors” are at the core of all existing environmental problems. He believes that all those carbon footprints devastating the ozone layer and the rampant plastic waste everywhere derive from no other than humans' selfishness and capitalistic greed.So, when planning this year's 18th SEFF with this conviction, he decided to bring to the festival 10 films by the Italian neo-realist director Michelangelo Antonioni. These films, produced from 1949 to 1970, at first raised doubts for those on the festival's executive committee. Jul 11, 2021By Ko Dong-hwan
Theater prepares special screenings of horror film for cowards Lotte Cinema's special screening of “The Medium” / Courtesy of Lotte CinemaBy Lee Hae-rinLights on. Ear plugs will be handed out for a limited number of audiences on a first come, first served basis. Special screenings of the horror film, “The Medium,” will be held three times in July at Lotte Cinema, a South Korean chain of movie theaters. The event was prepared for the faint of heart who still want to see the horror film. Co-produced by Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin and Thai filmmaker Banjong Pisanthanakun, “The Medium” features a girl that is possessed by demons in Thailand's northeastern Isan region. Korean horror fans have highly anticipated the joint creation by the two horror icons.The theater prepared the special screening for moviegoers following a preview on June 2. Some journalists who were invited to the media preview said that the movie is so scary that some of the scenes haunted them even after they went home.“Scary. So scary that I almost cried,” one commented in an article of the film magazine Cine 21. “It's a chillJul 9, 2021By Lee Hae-rin
