Theaters screen past hit films amid coronavirus struggle Harry Porter. Courtesy of Warner Bros. KoreaSouth Korean movie theater chains are screening past blockbusters and classics as the spreading coronavirus has been keeping people from local cinemas.The 2004 fantasy film "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" made a return to the South Korean silver screen in 4DX on Feb. 26.The 4DX version of part three of the tale of teenage wizardry is popular among long-time "Harry Potter" fans, who enjoy the physical effects such as sprays of wind and water and chair movements that reflect what's happening onscreen.It had attracted 1.24 million moviegoers as of Thursday, and its presale tickets were the second-most purchased on Friday, according to data from the Korean Film Council.CGV, the leading multiplex franchise run by entertainment giant CJ Group, has launched a special program to screen famous films selected by film buffs.This week, it has been showing the musical comedy-drama "Begin Again" (2013), romantic comedy "About Time" (2013), musical coming-of-age drama "Sing Street" (2016) and romantic melodrama "Carol" (2015).Lotte Cinema, anotMar 6, 2020
Musical movie 'Sing Street' to be re-screened in bid to boost virus-hit ticket sales The poster for the music-themed movie “Sing Street” for CGV's special screening. Courtesy of CGVBy Cho Hae-minThe music-themed movie “Sing Street” will be screened again at Seoul's CGV, in a special event starting Thursday.The 2016 hit Irish movie was co-directed and produced by Irish film director John Carney, best known for the 2007 musical film “Once” and the 2013 film “Begin Again.”The Dublin-based film is the story of schoolboys creating a band. The movie centers on a teenage boy who forms the rock group to impress the girl he falls in love with.It stars Irish actor Ferdia Walsh-Peelo and British-American actress Lucy Boynton, who appeared in the 2018 biographical film “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The theater will screen other previously released popular movies including “About Time,” “Begin Again” and “Carol” in an attempt to increase ticket sales during the coronavirus outbreak.Mar 5, 2020
In 'Gringo,' man strives to get back on track David Oyelowo, right, and Amanda Seyfried in “Gringo” / Courtesy of JIN JIN PicturesBy Kwak Yeon-sooDark comedy film “Gringo” is about an amiable businessman who finds himself crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal in order to survive. Harold Soyinka, played by David Oyelowo, is a manager at a Chicago pharmaceutical company called Promethium run by his supposed best friend Richard Rusk, played by Joel Edgerton.Richard and his co-president Elaine Markinson (Charlize Theron), who is a relentless career climber, have been mass producing medicinal marijuana at a Mexico-based facility and offloading a portion of their inventory to a Mexican drug cartel to make money. Looking to sell their company, the two attempt to cease their illegal trade. Harold accompanies them on a necessary business trip to Mexico, where he finds out that Richard is not quite as trustworthy as he had seemed. In an act of revenge, Harold fakes his own kidnapping and asks Richard for $5 million in ransom, but then finds himself in trouble as he is hunted by a violent druMar 3, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Korea closes theaters, postpones film releases to curb coronavirus' spread A sign on display at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance Branch reads the suspension of business after the fifth patient confirmed as infected with COVID-19 visited there, in this Feb. 26 photo. / YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe rapid spread of the coronavirus in Korea has seen several movie theaters close, and forced distributors to postpone the release of prominent films here. Several Oscar-winning films that looked to capitalize on their awards glory with a theatrical run in Korea have also had their releases delayed.Korea's largest cinema chain CJ CGV has temporarily halted services in Daegu, where most of the nation's coronavirus cases are centered, starting Feb. 28.“Out of growing fears of COVID-19, we have decided to shut down nine outlets in the Daegu area,” CGV said in a statement. “We'll notify people about reopening dates on our website.”On Monday, “Judy” distributor First Run announced it has decided to push back the film's release in Korea over coronavirus concerns. The Oscar-winning film was originally slated to open here March 12. &ldqMar 2, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hong Sang-soo wins best director at Berlin Film Festival South Korean director Hong Sang-soo poses with the Silver Bear for Best Director award at the 70th Berlinale film festival in Berlin, Saturday (local time). AFP-YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooSouth Korean director Hong Sang-soo won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival for his latest film “The Woman Who Ran,” the organizer announced Saturday (local time). The Berlinale Jury president, Oscar-winning British actor Jeremy Irons, said the jury selected winners focusing on cinematic discourse and arthouse prestige.Hong is the second South Korean filmmaker to take the prize in the category, following Kim Ki-duk for “Samaritan Girl” in 2004.“Thank you, Thank you very much. I'd like to thank everyone who's worked with me for this film, the film festival and the jury,” Hong said in an acceptance speech.He then introduced actresses Kim Min-hee and Seo Young-hwa, who received a hearty round of applause from the audience. Actress Kim, who is in an extramarital relationship with the director, is not a newcomer to the Berlinale Mar 1, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hong Sang-soo wins best director at Berlin film fest for 'The Woman Who Ran' Director Hong Sang-soo. YonhapRenowned South Korean director Hong Sang-soo on Saturday (Berlin time) won best director at the Berlin International Film Festival for his latest film, "The Woman Who Ran."At the awards ceremony held at Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin, the director's 24th feature film was awarded the Silver Bear prize for best director at the 70th edition of the Berlin film fest, which kicked off on Feb. 20 and closes on Sunday.Hong is the second South Korean filmmaker to earn the prize in the category, following Kim Ki-duk for "Samaritan Girl" in 2004."I'd like to thank everyone who've worked for me for this film, the film festival and the jury," Hong said in an acceptance speech.And he introduced his actresses, including lead Kim Min-hee, who received a round of applause from the audience."The Woman Who Ran" is a story about a woman who meets three friends while her husband is on a business trip and enjoys her conversations with them.This marks Hong's fourth title that has competed for a prize at the Berlin festival, after "Night And Day" (2008), "Nobody's Daughter HaeMar 1, 2020
Coronavirus scares away moviegoers; theaters in emergency mode to survive Posters for the black and white version of “Parasite” and the new thriller film “Time to Hunt.” More film premieres are being postponed due to the coronavirus spread. Courtesy of CJ ENM and LittleBig PicturesBy Lee Gyu-leeKorean cinema is bearing the brunt of the fallout from the coronavirus epidemic.Films, on weekdays and weekends alike, are screened with most seats unoccupied ― only 3.5 of 100 seats for top 10 movies are occupied on average, according to the Korea Film Council. Amid fears of infection, distributors have canceled or postponed the release of new ones, even the black and white version of the Oscar-winning “Parasite.” With the epidemic expected to continue through March or even longer, major theaters have declared a state of emergency, curtailing available screens and screen time, granting employees unpaid leave for a month or so, and slashing salaries temporarily in a desperate effort to save money. Affected films Two films ― the black and white version of “Parasite” and the thriller “Time to Hunt” ― canceledFeb 27, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
'Parasite' producer talks on Bong's quirky brilliance, int'l acclaim By Kwak Yeon-sooKwak Sin-ae, producer of “Parasite” and CEO of its production house Barunson E&M, poses for a photo after an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Feb. 20. / Courtesy of CJ ENMKwak Sin-ae, producer of the Oscar-winning “Parasite” and CEO of its production house Barunson E&A, says she still feels “awkward and uncomfortable” being in the spotlight. “Until recently, I led my life as an ordinary citizen. I used to sit in the corner on set trying not to be noticed,” Kwak said during an interview with The Korea Times. “To say I'm overwhelmed about winning the Oscars is an understatement.”On Feb. 9, “Parasite” became the first foreign-language film to win best picture at the Academy Awards in its 92-year history. It also won three other awards for best director, best international feature film and best original screenplay.Thanks to the Oscar's unconventional move, Kwak became the first Asian female producer to win best picture from the academy. She recalls how a Korean film winning tFeb 27, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hong Sang-soo unveils new film at Berlin int'l film festival Director and screenwriter Hong Sang-soo attends the press conference for the film "Domangchin Yeoja" (The Woman Who Ran) screened in competition on Tuesday at the 70th Berlinale film festival in Germany. / AFP-Yonhap By Kang Hyun-kyungDirector Hong Sang-soo's new film “The Woman Who Ran” was screened at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, Tuesday (local time). It is the seventh movie the filmmaker has worked on alongside his partner, actress Kim Min-hee. “The Woman Who Ran” revolves around the encounters of a married woman (played by Kim) and her three friends, while her husband is out of town on a business trip. Hong's new movie was invited to the film festival's competition section. The director said he wanted to tell the stories of women trying to break out of their daily routines and explore a life very different from their own. “One character flees because she doesn't want to be arrested. The other female character is not satisfied with her Feb 26, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung
Director challenges Korea's patriarchal norms, gender roles By Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Jeong Seung-o speaks during a press conference for the film “Move the Grave” held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance Branch, Feb. 20. / Courtesy of IndiestoryDirector Jeong Seung-o challenges patriarchal norms in his upcoming film “Move the Grave,” raising the question of whether stereotypical gender roles in modern society can be overturned.“I grew up in a patriarchal family, which placed rigid gender expectations on me from a young age. I often witnessed how women are discriminated against during 'jesa,' the ceremony performed to honor ancestors,” Jeong said during a press conference for the film.“Now that the patriarchy is almost over, I think we should dissolve existing family structures and think about an alternative family form.”In “Move the Grave,” a dysfunctional family is forced into an impromptu reunion when construction work forces them to move their father's grave. Four bickering sisters and one troublemaking son are set to embark on a road trip to their uncle's house, from where Feb 25, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
