Films set to hit local screens amid slowdown in virus spread Film “Judy.” Courtesy of First RunThe virus-hit South Korean film community is gradually regaining vitality, with some movies poised to hit local screens in the coming weeks, as the country's coronavirus infections have been seemingly slowing down.South Korea reported an additional 93 cases of COVID-19 infection on Wednesday, bringing the total to 8,413 with 84 deaths. The Wednesday figure marked the fourth consecutive day of double-digit daily increases."Judy," a biographical drama film about American singer and actress Judy Garland, will be released on March 25. Renee Zellweger, who stars as Garland in the film, was awarded the Oscar for best actress last month.The film was originally to open on March 12, but its release schedule was put off amid the rapid spread of the coronavirus."We postponed the release out of concerns over the nationwide COVID-19 infections," its local distributor, The Content On, said in a release. "We have now decided to open 'Judy' on March 25 to meet demand from our fans who have given us constant encouragement and support."At the same time, a Mar 18, 2020
Sci-fi thriller 'Paradise Hills' captures life in dystopian fantasy Emma Roberts, left, and Eiza Gonzalez in “Paradise Hills” / Courtesy of All Star EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooSci-fi mystery thriller “Paradise Hills” is underpinned with gender and class commentary, but these ideas are failing to resonate with audiences here due to its convoluted plot and flamboyant imagery.The film follows a group of women from wealthy families who are sent to a “reform” institution on an island that turns young women into supposedly perfect versions of themselves in two months. The protagonist Uma (Emma Roberts) is set to marry an arrogant rich man, whom she is not keen on, and wakes up at the institution which Uma later describes as a “fascist boarding school.” There she is trained to be a submissive wife. Uma tries to flee in vain, but is dragged back to the Duchess (Milla Jovovich), a strict headmistress at what she calls a “center for emotional, holistic and sustained healing.” Uma soon makes friends with Chloe (Danielle Macdonald), who is being forced to diet by her rich parents, Yu (Awkwafina), who Mar 16, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Horror films fill void for moviegoers amid COVID-19 fears From top left, clockwise, are posters for “The Invisible Man,” “Brahms: The Boy 2,” “The Nightmare,” “St. Agatha,” “Stray,” “The Turning,” “It Comes” and “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.” / Courtesy of KOFICBy Kwak Yeon-sooWhile major film releases are being cancelled or postponed due to the spread of COVID-19, a batch of relatively low-budget horror films are being released as planned.The number of moviegoers in Korea fell to a 15-year low last month due to fears of the coronavirus outbreak. According to data provided by the Korean Film Council, 7.37 million people went to the cinema in February, down 66.9 percent from last year.Overall box office ticket sales have plummeted because of the COVID-19 outbreak, with the openings of 50 domestic and foreign films being postponed, including Disney's live-action version of “Mulan” and its new animated adventure, “Onward.”However, horror films are seeing the hiatus as a means of avoiding competition and an opportunity tMar 15, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Disney halts production on some live-action movies Visitors take selfies in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle during the last day before Disneyland closes because of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, March 13, 2020. APEntertainment and media company Walt Disney Co on Friday said it has halted production on some live-action films for a short time on concerns over the rapidly spreading coronavirus.There has been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at its productions, Disney said in an email statement.The company said it will continue to assess the situation and resume production as soon as feasible.Streaming giant Netflix Inc has shut down all scripted TV and film physical production in the United States and Canada for two weeks, the Hollywood Reporter said http://bit.ly/3cWgaFb on Friday.Warner Bros. Television Group has halted production on some of its 70+ series and pilots currently filming or about to begin, the report said. (Reuters)Mar 14, 2020
'Parasite' sets box office record in Japan and U.K. “Parasite” has become the highest-grossing Korean film in Japan and the U.K. Courtesy of CJENMBy Lee Gyu-leeOscar-winning film “Parasite” has made box office history in Japan and the U.K. by becoming the highest-grossing Korean film in both countries. Distributor CJ ENM announced Monday that the black comedy grossed more than 4 billion yen ($38.9 million) in Japan, and has topped the box office there for four weeks in a row. This surpasses the previous record set by the Korean film “A Moment to Remember” (2004), making director Bong Joon-ho's “Parasite” the highest-grossing of all Korean movies. A poster for the black and white version of “Parasite”/ Courtesy of CJENMIn the U.K., the film had a record-breaking opening day, grossing $1.8 million in 137 theaters across the country, according to Box Office Mojo. A week after its opening, the film's showings tripled to 428 theaters and continued to expand to 579 theaters by March. Ticket sales totaled 14.9 million pounds as of Mar. 8, a record for a foreign film in the U.K. As oMar 13, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
Gong Yoo considers joining all-star cast for movie 'Wonderland' Actor Gong Yoo, left, is in talks to join the futuristic movie “Wonderland” that will star A-list actors, clockwise from top left, Choi Woo-shik, Tang Wei, Park Bo-gum and Bae Suzy. Korea Times fileBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Gong Yoo is considering taking a lead role in the new movie “Wonderland,” according to his agency Management SOOP, Wednesday. Directed by Kim Tae-yong, the movie revolves around a virtual world called Wonderland, where images are recreated according to one's request. A woman with a boyfriend in a coma and a widowed man request to see the boyfriend and the wife, respectively. The agency said Gong was offered the role of the man, but has not yet committed to it. Chinese actress and the director's wife Tang Wei will play the wife. Other A-list actors have confirmed their roles in the movie, including Choi Woo-shik, Bae Suzy and Park Bo-gum. It is director Kim's first movie in 10 years since the melodrama “Late Autumn” (2010). It will begin shooting in the first half of this year.Mar 12, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
Actor Kim Woo-bin to shoot new movie after four-year hiatus Actor Kim Woo-bin is set to make his movie return in the new sci-fi film “Alien.” Korea Times fileBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Kim Woo-bin will begin shooting the movie “Alien” (tentative title) later this month, the first film he will star in since “Master” (2016).“Kim will begin shooting for director Choi Dong-hoon's new film,” his agency AM Entertainment said Wednesday. Kim's career was put on hold after he was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in May 2017. After recovering, he made his first public appearance as a presenter at the Blue Dragon Film Awards last November.He recently donated 100 million won ($83,000) to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the country. The new science-fiction film is about aliens living in Korea. Kim Tae-ri, Ryu Jun-yeol, So Ji-sub and Lee Ha-nee are among the cast. The date of the movie's premiere has not been decided.Kim debuted as a model in 2008 and started his acting career in 2011 with the short series “White Christmas.” He has had lead roles in numerous productions, including TV seMar 12, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
Tom Hanks announces positive test for coronavirus Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson. AFP-YonhapTom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have both tested positive for coronavirus, the US actor said Wednesday.Hanks, 63, said he and Wilson came down with a fever while in Australia, where he is reportedly filming a new movie about the life of Elvis Presley."To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus, and were found to be positive," he wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.The pair will now be isolated and monitored, wrote Hanks. "We'll keep the world posted and updated," he added, along with a photo of a surgical glove placed inside a biohazard trash bag.Hanks is the first major Hollywood star to publicly state that he has the virus that is sweeping around the world. According to a Deadline Hollywood report, the Elvis film directed by Baz Luhrmann features Hanks as the legendary singer's longtime manager Colonel Tom Parker. (AFP)Mar 12, 2020
Bleak future for post-virus cinema People in masks pass movie posters at a theater in Seoul on Feb. 11. Korea Times fileShortened summer break, Olympics cast shadow on ChungmuroBy Park Ji-wonDirector Woo Min-ho's “The Man Standing Next” was unstoppable at the local box office. After premiering on Jan. 22, rosy prospects for the movie dominated. During four days of the Lunar New Year Holidays from Jan. 24 to 27, the movie, which fictionalizes the death of President Park Chung-hee ― who was assassinated by his security chief on Oct. 26, 1979 ― traces the spy agency chief's whereabouts for 40 days before the tragic day. The movie has attracted 2.8 million viewers. It appeared just a matter of time before the thriller joined the 10-million club. But such optimism crashed abruptly in early February when the movie, like many others in cinemas at the time, was hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. Since then, moviegoers have deserted theaters, wreaking havoc on filmmakers, investors and distributors. “The Man Standing Next” strove to hang in there but distributors eventually gave in. It disappeared frMar 10, 2020By Park Ji-won
Spring film festivals delayed over COVID-19 By Kwak Yeon-sooA string of spring film festivals have been delayed amid the spread of COVID-19. The postponement of numerous film-related events is raising questions over the viability of the Jeonju International Film Festival, which is set to take place in just seven weeks.Seoul Independent Documentary Film Festival, originally slated for March 26-April 1, has been postponed to take place May 28-June 3.“To help protect our staff and attendees from COVID-19, we have decided to postpone this year's festival,” the organizing committee said in a statement. Additionally, the 25th annual Chunsa Film Art Awards, originally scheduled for April, has been postponed to June in light of the growing health hazard, organizers said Monday. The new dates have yet to be announced.“Bong Joon-ho's four Oscar wins and Hong Sang-soo's Silver Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival have opened a new era for Korea's film industry. But with the outbreak of COVID-19, it's time to take a short hiatus,” festival director Yang Yun-ho said.According to the festival organizeMar 9, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
