INTERVIEW Exploring cinematic potential of VR technology Sngmoo Lee, filmmaker and professor at the Korea National University of Arts, is one of the most active VR filmmakers in Korea. Courtesy of Sngmoo LeeBy Anna J. ParkSngmoo Lee, 56, a filmmaker and professor at the Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, is a pioneer in the cinematic potential of virtual reality (VR) technology. He is the first Korean film director to have a VR film selected for screening at a major international film festival ― his short film “Eyes in the Red Wind” featured in the “New Frontier” category at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival in the United States. During an interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday, Lee said films based on VR technology are still in the research and development phase and he expects it will take about a few more years for it to develop its own visual grammar.“VR technology in general is not yet very commercial as of now,” Lee said. “It is very similar to the beginning period of film. People did not have a clear idea on how to apply the newly invented image technology. As it took somOct 16, 2019By Anna J. Park
Actress Chun Woo-hee steps out of comfort zone in 'Vertigo' A scene from the film “Vertigo,” which centers on a woman struggling to keep her life together through crises from her relationships with people around her. Courtesy of Triple PicturesBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Chun Woo-hee is a prolific actress, known for the unique characters she played in previous films such as a mysterious woman in the 2016 horror film "The Wailing" and a traumatized victim in the 2013 award-winning film "Han Gong-ju." But in her new film "Vertigo," she breaks that pattern. Her character is more realistic. She plays Seo-young, a 30-something woman with a job who leads an average life for a woman of her age. While playing her new role, Chun, 33, said she was relieved as she had a break after she had become burnt out. “I read the script during a time when I felt insecure and had doubts about myself and my talent as an actress,” she said during an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. “But the story made me realize that actors can find meaning and reasons for their existence through acting on set."&ldquOct 16, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Cannes' Japanese director Kore-Eda delivers heartfelt story in French Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-Eda speaks about his film “The Truth” during a media conference held during the 24TH Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on Oct. 5, in Haeundae-gu, Busan. YonhapBy Lee Gyu-leeJapanese director Hirokazu Kore-Eda has delivered another heartfelt family story to follow his 2018 Cannes' Palme d'Or film “Shoplifters” with the subtle, drama “The Truth.” But this time, he has stepped out of his comfort zone ― his native country ― to a foreign production in successfully delivering a French film. His first film shot outside Japan premiered as the opening film for the Venice Film Festival in August and was selected for a Gala Presentation screening at the 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which wrapped up Oct. 12. The film revolves around famous French actress Fabienne (Catherine Deneuve) who has recently published her memoirs. To celebrate the publication, Fabienne's screenwriter daughter Lumir (Juliette Binoche) comes to visit her from New York with her husband (Ethan Hawke) and their daughter. Though titledOct 14, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Centennial of Korean cinema - From humble beginnings to mega hits A still featuring actor Song Kang-ho from "Snowpiercer" (2013), directed by Bong Joon-ho./ Korea Times fileThis is the first in a series of articles highlighting the centennial of Korean cinema _ E.D_By Lee Gyu-leeA century has passed since the screening of Korea's first film "Righteous Revenge" directed by Kim Do-san at Dansungsa Theater, located in central Seoul, on Oct. 27, 1919. It was the first domestic kino-drama ― a theatrical play against a motion picture backdrop. Over the past 100 years, there has been a dramatic change in the profile of Korean cinema. Back in 1919, its future was uncertain as the nation's fate fell in the hands of the Japanese. Today, Korea has become one of the largest film markets in Asia with 200 million annual ticket sales. There have been game changing moments and masterpieces, through which Korean cinema came to achieve what it stands in the global stage. Here are some of the milestone events that helped Korean cinema take a leap forward: Humble beginnings (1919―1945)A picture of the production crew of the silent film “Arirang” (1926), dOct 13, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Busan film festival closes with eye on industry trends The 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) came to a close on Saturday, successfully keeping up with changing market trends and staying afloat after years of setbacks.This year's BIFF, which opened on Oct. 3 for a 10-day run, screened 300 films from 85 countries and drew a total of 189,115 attendees, slightly down from the previous year's 195,081, according to organizers. Along with the opening film, "The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time," 118 films of this year's invited pieces had their world premiere at BIFF.The top awards in the main competition category, the New Currents Award, went to "Rom" by Vietnamese director Tran Thanh Huy and "Haifa Street" by Iraqi filmmaker Mohanad Hayal."Rom," the director's debut film, is the story of a boy who tries to raise money to find out where his parents are after they abandoned him when he was younger. It depicts a world of desire on the back streets of buzzing metropolitan Saigon."The use of real, live locations impressed the jury greatly and the open ending was very satisfying," the jurors, led by British director Mike Figgis, said in a sOct 13, 2019
Busan film fest runs smoothly but makes less-than-expected buzz The 24th Busan International Film Festival will wrap up its 10-day run Saturday. YonhapLeaving buzzing and hectic days behind, the 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is wrapping up its 10-day run Saturday.The festival, one of the largest in Asia, opened Oct. 3 in the southern port city of Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, featuring 303 films from 85 countries. Among the invitations, 120 films, including 97 feature-length movies, were world premieres.Although its pre-opening event was canceled due to a typhoon, the curtain rose peacefully with more than 100 silver screen stars and directors from all around Asia dazzling the full-house audiences at the Busan Cinema Center, BIFF's main venue.Its opening and closing films are regarded as the achievement of its decadelong efforts to support young Asian filmmakers.One of the co-directors of the opener, "The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time," Yerlan Nurmukhambetov was awarded the 2015 New Currents prize, given to up-and-coming Asian directors, at BIFF for his feature "Walnut Tree."And the closing movie, Moonlight Winter," a mOct 11, 2019
'Joker' to surpass 3 million in ticket sales soon Actor Joaquin Phoenix playing the title role in “Joker.” Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minThe film “Joker” starring Joaquin Phoenix is expected to surpass 3 million in ticket sales in Korea soon.Since its Oct. 2 release, “Joker” has stayed at the top of box office rankings as of Wednesday. According to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), 2,962,924 tickets had been sold as of Wednesday. The film is about the notorious iconic supervillain of DC Comics and Batman's nemesis, depicting how a dismal life torments a comedian and turns him into a monster. Produced by DC Films, it premiered on Aug. 31 at the 76th Venice International Film Festival, where it received the Golden Lion award, the festival's grand prize. Oct 10, 2019
'Coming Home Again,' culinary wisdom deepens mother-son bond Top photo shows a still of the film “Coming Home Again,” an adaptation of Korean American novelist Chang-rae Lee's 1995 short story of the same title. Actress Jackie Chung, bottom left, played the mother. Wayne Wang directed the film revolving around the story of a son taking care of his dying mother and learning Korean culinary traditions from her. Courtesy of BIFFBy Lee Gyu-leeBUSAN ― “Coming Home Again,” a film centering on second-generation Korean-Americans, tells the universal story of family and what it means for people to help them connect to one another before it's too late. The film has been invited to a gala presentation screening of the 24th Busan International Film Festival, which runs from Oct. 2 to 12. “Coming Home Again” is based on Korean-American novelist Lee Chang-rea's essay of the same name published in The New Yorker in 1995. The award-winning essay is about Lee coming back to his parents' house to take care of his dying mother and learning to cook from her. Director Wayne Wang, known for directing Hollywood films such as Oct 9, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
'Frozen 2' to be released in November A poster of “Frozen 2.” Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minThe sequel to the megahit Walt Disney animation film “Frozen” will be released here in November, with Walt Disney Korea revealing a poster for “Frozen 2.” The poster shows the main cast of the original _Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven. Elsa and Anna look determined, conjuring up the images of new adventures facing the sisters. In “Frozen 2,” Elsa and Anna set out to find the origin of Elsa's magical power and save their kingdom. “Frozen,” released in 2014, was the first animation film to attract a 10 million audience in Korea. Oct 8, 2019
'Maleficent 2' captures three strong female characters Angelina Jolie plays Maleficent in the film 'Maleficent 2.” The film will hit local theaters on Oct. 17. Courtesy of allthatcinemaBy Jung Hae-myoung The film “Maleficent” is based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty,” a favorite children's story. Those who enjoyed the fairy tale may also be interested in the original film, as well as its sequel “Maleficent 2.” Five years after the first film was released in 2014, the sequel will hit local theaters soon.“Maleficent 2” is an original story created by Walt Disney Pictures which depicts what happened after the “happily ever after” ending of the first film. At the beginning, Prince Phillip (Harris Dickinson) proposes to Aurora (Elle Fanning). To prepare for the wedding, the two try to seek peace between their two worlds ― the fairy world under the rule of Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and the human world ruled by King Stefan and Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer). Meanwhile, Maleficent also finds Dark Faye, a tribe of her kind, gathered on a small island. “Oct 7, 2019
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