“Harbin,” the South Korean spy action thriller that debuted this week at the Toronto International Film Festival, has been picked up for North American release.
Well Go USA, a specialty distributor which has a long track record of handling commercial film titles from Asia, has licensed the rights for the U.S. and Cananda. It has confirmed to Variety that it will give the film a theatrical release, but did not confirm a schedule.
Directed by Woo Min-ho, who previously helmed 2015 hit “Inside Men” and “The Man Standing Next,” the film dramatizes pivotal events in the arduous struggle for Korean sovereignty.
In 1905, Japan forced Korea to sign the Eulsa Treaty, stripping the nation of its diplomatic rights and reducing the entire Korean peninsula to a Japanese colony. By 1909, when “Harbin” begins, Korea’s small but tenacious Righteous Army militia is deep into a campaign of armed resistance against the Japanese.
Well Go USA, a specialty distributor which has a long track record of handling commercial film titles from Asia, has licensed the rights for the U.S. and Cananda. It has confirmed to Variety that it will give the film a theatrical release, but did not confirm a schedule.
Directed by Woo Min-ho, who previously helmed 2015 hit “Inside Men” and “The Man Standing Next,” the film dramatizes pivotal events in the arduous struggle for Korean sovereignty.
In 1905, Japan forced Korea to sign the Eulsa Treaty, stripping the nation of its diplomatic rights and reducing the entire Korean peninsula to a Japanese colony. By 1909, when “Harbin” begins, Korea’s small but tenacious Righteous Army militia is deep into a campaign of armed resistance against the Japanese.
- 9/13/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
According to Variety, Song Kang-ho, star of the Academy Award-winning film Parasite, has lined up his next project, which will be the series adaptation of a political thriller titled Inside Men. Hive Media Corp, who will be producing the series, had announced the development of the project Thursday morning and the studio has revealed it is currently in early pre-production. The filming is expected to commence sometime next year. However, it is not yet revealed where the show is intending to broadcast or stream.
This adaptation will be based on the 2015 film of the same name. That film was said to have been adapted into “an incomplete webtoon,” which was written by Yoon Tae-ho. This incarnation was called The Insiders and it had been published between 2010-2012 in the Hankyoreh newspaper. Per Variety, “The webtoon featured a political bruiser, played by Lee Byung-hun in the film, who seeks revenge after...
This adaptation will be based on the 2015 film of the same name. That film was said to have been adapted into “an incomplete webtoon,” which was written by Yoon Tae-ho. This incarnation was called The Insiders and it had been published between 2010-2012 in the Hankyoreh newspaper. Per Variety, “The webtoon featured a political bruiser, played by Lee Byung-hun in the film, who seeks revenge after...
- 9/12/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Song Kang-ho, star of Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” will headline a series adaptation of hit film “Inside Men.”
The project was revealed on Thursday by producer Hive Media Corp. which said that the show is in the early stages of pre-production. Cameras are expected to roll in 2025.
No broadcaster or streamer has yet been attached.
The 2015 film was a political thriller that was adapted from an incomplete webtoon, penned by Yoon Tae-ho called “The Insiders” and which was published 2010-2012 in the Hankyoreh newspaper.
The webtoon featured a political bruiser, played by Lee Byung-hun in the film, who seeks revenge after being ruined by politicians and the media. Directed and written by Woo Min-ho, the film added other elements including a prosecutor (portrayed by Cho Sueng-woo), a presidential candidate Portrayed by Lee Gyeong-young) and a newspaper editor (portrayed by Baek Yoon-sik).
The series, which will be directed by Mo Wan-il (“The World of the Married...
The project was revealed on Thursday by producer Hive Media Corp. which said that the show is in the early stages of pre-production. Cameras are expected to roll in 2025.
No broadcaster or streamer has yet been attached.
The 2015 film was a political thriller that was adapted from an incomplete webtoon, penned by Yoon Tae-ho called “The Insiders” and which was published 2010-2012 in the Hankyoreh newspaper.
The webtoon featured a political bruiser, played by Lee Byung-hun in the film, who seeks revenge after being ruined by politicians and the media. Directed and written by Woo Min-ho, the film added other elements including a prosecutor (portrayed by Cho Sueng-woo), a presidential candidate Portrayed by Lee Gyeong-young) and a newspaper editor (portrayed by Baek Yoon-sik).
The series, which will be directed by Mo Wan-il (“The World of the Married...
- 9/12/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Although Korean star Hyun Bin first hesitated to take on the role of Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun in Harbin, he knew deep down that he could not pass up such a rare opportunity.
Director Woo Min-ho tried three times before he managed to convince Hyun to take on the leading role. Woo understood Hyun’s hesitation, given the magnitude of Ahn’s stature in Korean history.
“It isn’t easy as an actor to accept the offer to play the role of Ahn Jung-geun, because Koreans have their own ideas and thoughts about him as a patriotic martyr,” Hyun told Deadline. “I knew that playing Ahn wouldn’t be an easy task and it took a lot of courage. But after discussing with the director, I thought about how there might not be a lot of opportunities to play a great hero of Korean history, and that it...
Director Woo Min-ho tried three times before he managed to convince Hyun to take on the leading role. Woo understood Hyun’s hesitation, given the magnitude of Ahn’s stature in Korean history.
“It isn’t easy as an actor to accept the offer to play the role of Ahn Jung-geun, because Koreans have their own ideas and thoughts about him as a patriotic martyr,” Hyun told Deadline. “I knew that playing Ahn wouldn’t be an easy task and it took a lot of courage. But after discussing with the director, I thought about how there might not be a lot of opportunities to play a great hero of Korean history, and that it...
- 9/8/2024
- by Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Two of South Korea’s biggest male stars Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung will go head-to-head in “Made in Korea,” an upcoming crime series.
Set in the turbulent 1970s, “Made in Korea” is a crime thriller about Kitae, a man consumed with a desire for wealth and power, and Geonyoung, a stalwart prosecutor that stands in his way. Constantly at loggerheads, the pair find themselves involved in an era-defining incident that will forever change their futures.
The show stars Hyun Bin as Kitae, and Jung as Geonyoung. Other cast members include: Won Ji-an, Seo Eun-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong and Jung Sung-il.
The screenplay was written by Park Eun-kyo and Park Joon-seok (“A Normal Family”) and is directed by Woo Min-ho. Production is by Hive Media Corp., which was previously responsible for feature films “Inside Men,” “The Man Standing Next,” “12.12 The Day” (aka “Seoul Spring”).
For Woo, it is his first TV series as director.
Set in the turbulent 1970s, “Made in Korea” is a crime thriller about Kitae, a man consumed with a desire for wealth and power, and Geonyoung, a stalwart prosecutor that stands in his way. Constantly at loggerheads, the pair find themselves involved in an era-defining incident that will forever change their futures.
The show stars Hyun Bin as Kitae, and Jung as Geonyoung. Other cast members include: Won Ji-an, Seo Eun-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong and Jung Sung-il.
The screenplay was written by Park Eun-kyo and Park Joon-seok (“A Normal Family”) and is directed by Woo Min-ho. Production is by Hive Media Corp., which was previously responsible for feature films “Inside Men,” “The Man Standing Next,” “12.12 The Day” (aka “Seoul Spring”).
For Woo, it is his first TV series as director.
- 8/30/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Two of Korea’s A-listers, Hyun Bin and Jung Woosung, are set to appear in Disney+ original Made in Korea. The series will premiere next year.
Set in the turbulent 1970s, crime thriller Made in Korea follows Kitae, a man consumed with a desire for wealth and power, and Geonyoung, a stalwart prosecutor that stands in his way. Constantly at loggerheads, the pair find themselves involved in an era-defining incident that will forever change their futures.
Hyun Bin, who has starred in hits like Crash Landing On You and Confidential Assignment, will play the role of Kitae. After featuring in 12.12: The Day and Hunt, Jung will play the role of Geonyoung.
Made in Korea will be director Woo Min-ho’s first series. He also recently collaborated with Hyun Bin on biographical period film Harbin, which will premiere in the Gala section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September...
Set in the turbulent 1970s, crime thriller Made in Korea follows Kitae, a man consumed with a desire for wealth and power, and Geonyoung, a stalwart prosecutor that stands in his way. Constantly at loggerheads, the pair find themselves involved in an era-defining incident that will forever change their futures.
Hyun Bin, who has starred in hits like Crash Landing On You and Confidential Assignment, will play the role of Kitae. After featuring in 12.12: The Day and Hunt, Jung will play the role of Geonyoung.
Made in Korea will be director Woo Min-ho’s first series. He also recently collaborated with Hyun Bin on biographical period film Harbin, which will premiere in the Gala section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September...
- 8/29/2024
- by Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
The 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival unveiled its official poster on May 13th. Bifan is anticipated to become an even richer festival this year, building on 27 years of experience of programming a wide variety of films and public events. It has stablished itself as Asia's premier genre film festival.
Everything Sensational! A unique genre film festival that ‘Stays Strange'
Combines AI with traditional elements! Unveiling the unconventional and renewed poster!
▲ Official poster of the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
With new and unconventional images and various interpretations, the new official poster adds fresh stimulation and raises the expectations of an audience eagerly awaiting the festival. While maintaining its identity expressed through the slogan “Stay Strange”, which has attracted interest and love from audiences and citizens over the years, the festival will address the hot topic of the mega trend AI and its impact on filmmaking this year.
The poster's art director,...
Everything Sensational! A unique genre film festival that ‘Stays Strange'
Combines AI with traditional elements! Unveiling the unconventional and renewed poster!
▲ Official poster of the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
With new and unconventional images and various interpretations, the new official poster adds fresh stimulation and raises the expectations of an audience eagerly awaiting the festival. While maintaining its identity expressed through the slogan “Stay Strange”, which has attracted interest and love from audiences and citizens over the years, the festival will address the hot topic of the mega trend AI and its impact on filmmaking this year.
The poster's art director,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korea’s Plus M Entertainment is set to launch sales on upcoming romantic drama Pavane: For A Dead Princess and action thriller Night Fever in Cannes.
Pavane: For A Dead Princess is directed by Lee Jong-pil, known for 2020 comedy drama Samjin Company English Class and 2015 period drama The Sound Of A Flower.
It will reunite Lee with Samjin actress Ko A-sung, who also played the lead in Because I Hate Korea, which opened last year’s Busan International Film Festival. Further cast includes Byun Yo-han of box office hit Hansan: Rising Dragon and Moon Sang-win of drama series Wedding Impossible.
Pavane: For A Dead Princess is directed by Lee Jong-pil, known for 2020 comedy drama Samjin Company English Class and 2015 period drama The Sound Of A Flower.
It will reunite Lee with Samjin actress Ko A-sung, who also played the lead in Because I Hate Korea, which opened last year’s Busan International Film Festival. Further cast includes Byun Yo-han of box office hit Hansan: Rising Dragon and Moon Sang-win of drama series Wedding Impossible.
- 4/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Netflix’s recent spate of international content showcases has continued today with an update on Korea.
Among the key updates for its 2024 Korea slate is Oldboy director Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) releasing his first project with Netflix at the end of this year, titled Uprising.
The film, directed by Sang-man Kim and written by Shin Chul, was previously known as War and Revolt, and is due in Q4. It is billed as a “gripping journey through the lives of two childhood friends turned adversaries.” Gang Dong-won, Park Jeong-min, Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rock, Jin Sun-kyu and Jung Sung-ill star. Park will co-write and co-produce.
Elsewhere, Netflix will launch new seasons of Gyeongseong Creature, Hellbound and Sweet Home as well as unscripted shows like Physical: 100 and Single’s Inferno. The second season of mega-hit Squid Game will also premiere, as announced last week.
Korea has become one of the Netflix’s biggest priorities,...
Among the key updates for its 2024 Korea slate is Oldboy director Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) releasing his first project with Netflix at the end of this year, titled Uprising.
The film, directed by Sang-man Kim and written by Shin Chul, was previously known as War and Revolt, and is due in Q4. It is billed as a “gripping journey through the lives of two childhood friends turned adversaries.” Gang Dong-won, Park Jeong-min, Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rock, Jin Sun-kyu and Jung Sung-ill star. Park will co-write and co-produce.
Elsewhere, Netflix will launch new seasons of Gyeongseong Creature, Hellbound and Sweet Home as well as unscripted shows like Physical: 100 and Single’s Inferno. The second season of mega-hit Squid Game will also premiere, as announced last week.
Korea has become one of the Netflix’s biggest priorities,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Ma Dong-seok, Lee Hee-joon, Lee Joon-young, No Jeong-ee, Ahn Ji-hye | Written by Kim Bo-Tong, Kwak Jae-Min | Directed by Heo Myeong Haeng
Badland Hunters is the latest film starring action hero Ma Dong-seok, and that is bad news for Korea. He was in Train to Busan in which the country was overrun with zombies, and in Ashfall where a massive volcanic eruption laid waste to the entire Korean Peninsula. And the amount of property damage he wracked up in The Outlaws and its sequels The Roundup and The Roundup: No Way Out would bankrupt most insurance companies.
In the opening scenes, Seoul is levelled by a catastrophic earthquake as the military are about to arrest Yang Gi-su for the murders and human experiments he’s committed trying to bring his daughter back from the dead. The building collapses on him, but you know he’ll be back later in the film.
Badland Hunters is the latest film starring action hero Ma Dong-seok, and that is bad news for Korea. He was in Train to Busan in which the country was overrun with zombies, and in Ashfall where a massive volcanic eruption laid waste to the entire Korean Peninsula. And the amount of property damage he wracked up in The Outlaws and its sequels The Roundup and The Roundup: No Way Out would bankrupt most insurance companies.
In the opening scenes, Seoul is levelled by a catastrophic earthquake as the military are about to arrest Yang Gi-su for the murders and human experiments he’s committed trying to bring his daughter back from the dead. The building collapses on him, but you know he’ll be back later in the film.
- 1/31/2024
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Horror comedy is directed by Nam Dong-hyub.
Korean sales company Contents Panda is to launch sales on horror comedy Handsome Guys at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) in Busan.
The film stars Lee Sung-min and Lee Hee-jun, who both starred in Woo Min-ho’s The Man Standing Next – South Korea’s entry to the Oscars in 2021. Lee Sung-min is also known for his role in Yoon Jong-bin’s Cannes 2018 title The Spy Gone North. The cast also includes Gong Seung-yeon (Aloners).
A first look at the feature can be seen above.
It marks the feature directorial debut of Korea’s Nam Dong-hyub,...
Korean sales company Contents Panda is to launch sales on horror comedy Handsome Guys at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) in Busan.
The film stars Lee Sung-min and Lee Hee-jun, who both starred in Woo Min-ho’s The Man Standing Next – South Korea’s entry to the Oscars in 2021. Lee Sung-min is also known for his role in Yoon Jong-bin’s Cannes 2018 title The Spy Gone North. The cast also includes Gong Seung-yeon (Aloners).
A first look at the feature can be seen above.
It marks the feature directorial debut of Korea’s Nam Dong-hyub,...
- 10/7/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
2022 was finally the year that the Korean box office, after the pandemic, was defibrillated back to life. Producers and distributors were finally confident that the time was right for big budget, blockbuster projects, that had long been queueing up for a release, to start making their way to the theatres. After having to resort to Ott streaming and generally smaller scale films, the audience too was hungry to see high-value productions, entertainment and their favorite stars on the big screen and thronged to the theatres, lapping up these releases. So much so that 2022 saw four new films make their way into the 100 highest grossing Korean films of all tie at the domestic box-office, with Ma Dong-seok’s “The Roundup” even rolling comfortably into the top 10.
2023 too began strongly, with the long-in-production “The Point Men” starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin and the Sol Kyung-gu led ensemble spy thriller “Phantom” opening the year strong.
2023 too began strongly, with the long-in-production “The Point Men” starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin and the Sol Kyung-gu led ensemble spy thriller “Phantom” opening the year strong.
- 2/12/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Espionage action film marks directorial debut of ‘Squid Game’ star Lee Jung-jae.
South Korea’s Megabox Plus M is launching its Cannes sales slate led by Midnight Screenings title Hunt, directed by Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae in his directorial debut.
Having starred in numerous TV and film titles such as Im Sang-soo’s The Housemaid, selected for Cannes in 2010, the actor will now be eligible for the festival’s Camera d’or with his first feature as a director.
His period espionage action film stars Lee with Jung Woo-sung as two unit chiefs in the Korean Central Intelligence Agency.
South Korea’s Megabox Plus M is launching its Cannes sales slate led by Midnight Screenings title Hunt, directed by Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae in his directorial debut.
Having starred in numerous TV and film titles such as Im Sang-soo’s The Housemaid, selected for Cannes in 2010, the actor will now be eligible for the festival’s Camera d’or with his first feature as a director.
His period espionage action film stars Lee with Jung Woo-sung as two unit chiefs in the Korean Central Intelligence Agency.
- 4/19/2022
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Independent distributor Film Movement has picked up all North American rights to award-winning folk horror film “Seire.” The Korean chiller will be released theatrically in 2022, followed by launches on home entertainment and digital platforms.
The film takes as its central premise the Korean superstition that nobody in the family of a baby less than three weeks old – the ‘seire’ period – should attend a wake. And that failure to take precautions risks misfortune.
The story, penned by writer and first-time feature director Park Kang, sees the father of a newborn attend the funeral of an ex-girlfriend. His encounter with her twin sister is followed by a series of unexplained and discomforting episodes.
Park previously dipped his toe in the horror genre with short film “Deal” in which a man tries to trade away his nightmares with someone reputed to be a buyer.
The cast of “Seire” is headed by Seo Hyun-woo...
The film takes as its central premise the Korean superstition that nobody in the family of a baby less than three weeks old – the ‘seire’ period – should attend a wake. And that failure to take precautions risks misfortune.
The story, penned by writer and first-time feature director Park Kang, sees the father of a newborn attend the funeral of an ex-girlfriend. His encounter with her twin sister is followed by a series of unexplained and discomforting episodes.
Park previously dipped his toe in the horror genre with short film “Deal” in which a man tries to trade away his nightmares with someone reputed to be a buyer.
The cast of “Seire” is headed by Seo Hyun-woo...
- 3/22/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in star.
South Korea’s Acemaker movieworks is launching international sales on The Match, starring Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in (Burning) as an undefeated Go master and his gifted but willful protégé.
Directed by Kim Hyung-joo (The Sheriff In Town), the film is set in the 1980s competitive world of Go championships (Go is a strategic board game popular in many parts of Asia).
When Lee’s character discovers a gifted but untrained young boy (Yoo) in an amateur contest, he takes him under his wing to turn into a professional player. But conflicts arise when...
South Korea’s Acemaker movieworks is launching international sales on The Match, starring Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in (Burning) as an undefeated Go master and his gifted but willful protégé.
Directed by Kim Hyung-joo (The Sheriff In Town), the film is set in the 1980s competitive world of Go championships (Go is a strategic board game popular in many parts of Asia).
When Lee’s character discovers a gifted but untrained young boy (Yoo) in an amateur contest, he takes him under his wing to turn into a professional player. But conflicts arise when...
- 10/8/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
The Asian Film Awards Academy (Afaa) has announced that the recipient of this year’s Excellence in Asian Cinema Award is the renowned Korean actor Lee Byung-hun. Lee will accept the award at the awards ceremony held in Busan on October 8, 2021. The Excellence in Asian Cinema Award aims to highlight distinguished talents and affirm their achievements and contributions to Asian film industry and culture.
With a stellar career spanning three decades, Lee Byung-hun has demonstrated his versatile talent in movies of all genres produced in many countries. Lee is known for his special ability to interpret and transform a role into a powerful performance that delivers insight into his character’s psyche. Lee brings every line of dialogue to life stunning his audiences with unforgettable experiences. His astonishing acting ability has earned him many awards. He swept the Best Actor Awards at ten different awards presentations, including the prestigious Korean...
With a stellar career spanning three decades, Lee Byung-hun has demonstrated his versatile talent in movies of all genres produced in many countries. Lee is known for his special ability to interpret and transform a role into a powerful performance that delivers insight into his character’s psyche. Lee brings every line of dialogue to life stunning his audiences with unforgettable experiences. His astonishing acting ability has earned him many awards. He swept the Best Actor Awards at ten different awards presentations, including the prestigious Korean...
- 10/1/2021
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Terracotta VOD Spotlight
Each month Terracotta present a selection of Asian titles on their VOD platform, which you can enjoy. This month’s selection includes kung fu, comedy, a cult film and a pride celebration.
The Shanghai Thirteen
During the Sino-Japanese war, a Chinese patriot steals damming evidence that exposes traitorous intentions within the government. He employs an elite ensemble of fighters, The Shanghai 13, to protect him on the obstacles ahead and pursuers behind.
One Cut Of The Dead
A film crew are making a zombie film in a run down, abandoned warehouse said to be the site of military experiments on humans. However, things take a turn for the worse when real zombies arrive and terrorize the crew!
“The Taste of Tea”
The Taste Of Tea
The summer sun is shining gently down on the Haruno family until urban-dwelling uncle Ayano , a successful music producer, arrives to visit. He...
Each month Terracotta present a selection of Asian titles on their VOD platform, which you can enjoy. This month’s selection includes kung fu, comedy, a cult film and a pride celebration.
The Shanghai Thirteen
During the Sino-Japanese war, a Chinese patriot steals damming evidence that exposes traitorous intentions within the government. He employs an elite ensemble of fighters, The Shanghai 13, to protect him on the obstacles ahead and pursuers behind.
One Cut Of The Dead
A film crew are making a zombie film in a run down, abandoned warehouse said to be the site of military experiments on humans. However, things take a turn for the worse when real zombies arrive and terrorize the crew!
“The Taste of Tea”
The Taste Of Tea
The summer sun is shining gently down on the Haruno family until urban-dwelling uncle Ayano , a successful music producer, arrives to visit. He...
- 6/18/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Tense and gripping, “The Man Standing Next” is a powerful political thriller from director Woo Min-ho (“The Drug King”) and starring Lee Byung-hun, which charts one of the most shocking incidents in South Korea’s turbulent history.
It is 1979, and South Korea has been under the absolute domination of President Park’s dictatorship for 18 long years. Kim Gyu-pyeong (Lee Byung-hun), the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (Kcia), has asserted his loyalty to the president despite having his doubts about the leader’s intentions. When the former director of the Kcia flees to America with a time-bomb of government secrets, Kim is sent on a mission to stop the truth in its tracks.
As the government’s web of lies continues to be spun, tensions build, alliances crumble, and the once impenetrable leadership must face the fact that all men, no matter how powerful, must die…
The South Korean nomination for the 2021 Academy Awards,...
It is 1979, and South Korea has been under the absolute domination of President Park’s dictatorship for 18 long years. Kim Gyu-pyeong (Lee Byung-hun), the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (Kcia), has asserted his loyalty to the president despite having his doubts about the leader’s intentions. When the former director of the Kcia flees to America with a time-bomb of government secrets, Kim is sent on a mission to stop the truth in its tracks.
As the government’s web of lies continues to be spun, tensions build, alliances crumble, and the once impenetrable leadership must face the fact that all men, no matter how powerful, must die…
The South Korean nomination for the 2021 Academy Awards,...
- 5/29/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Chicago, Il – – With one of its most diverse lineups, Asian Pop-Up Cinema: Season 12 continues with a drive-in film festival, April 15 – May 2 at The Drive-In at Lincoln Yards, operated by local landmark cinema, Davis Theater.
This season highlights the best of Asian filmmaking, with a lineup of features from Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Mongolia. In addition to many international and U.S. premieres, the festival will screen five official selections submitted for 2021 Academy Awards consideration.
Oscar-nominated Minari will have a special screening on April 29 and May 1 at the Drive -In. Lee Isaac Chung’s acclaimed film, nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Score, tells the story of a Korean family pursuing the American dream on an Arkansas farm. Sponsored by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, the screening will...
This season highlights the best of Asian filmmaking, with a lineup of features from Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Mongolia. In addition to many international and U.S. premieres, the festival will screen five official selections submitted for 2021 Academy Awards consideration.
Oscar-nominated Minari will have a special screening on April 29 and May 1 at the Drive -In. Lee Isaac Chung’s acclaimed film, nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Score, tells the story of a Korean family pursuing the American dream on an Arkansas farm. Sponsored by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, the screening will...
- 4/7/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Korean Oscar-winner “Parasite” gleefully poked fun at South Korea’s bourgeoisie. Hur Jin-ho’s “The Dinner” is set to give the middle classes another skewering.
The project is an adaptation of Dutch novel ‘Het Diner’ (“The Dinner”) written by Herman Koch. With the setting transposed to Asia, Hur will peek under the tablecloth to uncover another dirty side to Korean society.
Two brothers a materially-motivated lawyer, and an idealistic surgeon, meet once a month for dinner. During one such meal the two couples must discuss how to deal with the worst nightmare they have faced as parents, their children’s criminal assault on a vagrant. In the incongruous fancy setting, the couples must confront their differences in morals, long-harbored secrets and a victim mentality that has been brewing for years.
“Director Hur likes to observe the irony and dilemmas of the people who are confronted with ethical choice,” Ted Jeong Ho Shin,...
The project is an adaptation of Dutch novel ‘Het Diner’ (“The Dinner”) written by Herman Koch. With the setting transposed to Asia, Hur will peek under the tablecloth to uncover another dirty side to Korean society.
Two brothers a materially-motivated lawyer, and an idealistic surgeon, meet once a month for dinner. During one such meal the two couples must discuss how to deal with the worst nightmare they have faced as parents, their children’s criminal assault on a vagrant. In the incongruous fancy setting, the couples must confront their differences in morals, long-harbored secrets and a victim mentality that has been brewing for years.
“Director Hur likes to observe the irony and dilemmas of the people who are confronted with ethical choice,” Ted Jeong Ho Shin,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Pre-sales also closed on crime feature ‘Dirty Money’.
South Korea’s Acemaker movieworks is launching sales ahead of the EFM on Remember, a Korean remake of Atom Egoyan’s 2015 Nazi-hunter film that starred the late Christopher Plummer.
The thriller, in post-production, is directed by Lee Il-hyung, whose 2016 crime film A Violent Prosecutor recorded 9.7 million admissions and took $69.5m at the local box office. Leading cast members include Lee Sung-min (The Man Standing Next) and Nam Joo-hyuk (The Great Battle).
The story is set in Korea where a retired octogenarian soldier with dementia goes in search of vengeance against pro-Japanese collaborators,...
South Korea’s Acemaker movieworks is launching sales ahead of the EFM on Remember, a Korean remake of Atom Egoyan’s 2015 Nazi-hunter film that starred the late Christopher Plummer.
The thriller, in post-production, is directed by Lee Il-hyung, whose 2016 crime film A Violent Prosecutor recorded 9.7 million admissions and took $69.5m at the local box office. Leading cast members include Lee Sung-min (The Man Standing Next) and Nam Joo-hyuk (The Great Battle).
The story is set in Korea where a retired octogenarian soldier with dementia goes in search of vengeance against pro-Japanese collaborators,...
- 2/24/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
In today’s Global Bulletin, “The Terror” sets sail on BBC Two and iPlayer, “The Man Standing Next” tops South Korea’s Blue Dragon Awards, Banijay announces two European remakes of “Lego Masters,” Discovery Plus is now available on Samsung Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV in the U.K. and Ireland, Tms announces “Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet” will release in several territories in April, and Mrs hires Nick Royak.
Acquisition
BBC Two and BBC iPlayer have acquired AMC Studios International’s horror anthology “The Terror” for linear and streaming in the U.K. The series is executive produced by Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions and showrun by David Kajganich (“True Story”) and Soo Hugh (“The Whispers”).
Inspired by true events, “The Terror” is a fictionalized version of what happened to Captain Sir John Franklin’s lost Arctic expedition in which the Royal Navy ventured into uncharted waters braving sub-zero temperatures,...
Acquisition
BBC Two and BBC iPlayer have acquired AMC Studios International’s horror anthology “The Terror” for linear and streaming in the U.K. The series is executive produced by Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions and showrun by David Kajganich (“True Story”) and Soo Hugh (“The Whispers”).
Inspired by true events, “The Terror” is a fictionalized version of what happened to Captain Sir John Franklin’s lost Arctic expedition in which the Royal Navy ventured into uncharted waters braving sub-zero temperatures,...
- 2/10/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Festival will also launch a new Ambassador programme, spotlighting rising talent under 30.
Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) is to host interviews with 1917 writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns and Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald as part of its industry platform, which will take place online and feature a rising talent initiative for the first time.
Scottish writer Wilson-Cairns and The Mauritanian director Macdonald will take part in the spotlight interviews during Gff’s Industry Focus, set to run March 1-6.
The festival has also partnered with global streaming platform Mubi on a new Ambassador initiative, aimed at highlighting under 30s talent in the Gff programme.
Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) is to host interviews with 1917 writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns and Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald as part of its industry platform, which will take place online and feature a rising talent initiative for the first time.
Scottish writer Wilson-Cairns and The Mauritanian director Macdonald will take part in the spotlight interviews during Gff’s Industry Focus, set to run March 1-6.
The festival has also partnered with global streaming platform Mubi on a new Ambassador initiative, aimed at highlighting under 30s talent in the Gff programme.
- 2/9/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Hello, and welcome to International Insider, Jake Kanter here. In the week that Jeff Bezos announced that he is stepping down as the CEO of Amazon, scroll on for the biggest headlines from global film and TV. Want to get in touch? I’m on jkanter@deadline.com, or my DMs are open on Twitter. And sign up here to get this delivered to your inbox every Friday.
The Big Bounceback
Putting a price on the pandemic: £774 million ($1 billion). That’s how much less was spent on UK film and TV production last year compared with 2019, per the BFI. For a booming industry, that might seem like a gut punch, but zoom out, and it’s an utterly remarkable show of resilience. Remember, filming was basically shut down for around four months last year (there were zero high-end TV shoots in Q3). Running with this maths, spending should theoretically have...
The Big Bounceback
Putting a price on the pandemic: £774 million ($1 billion). That’s how much less was spent on UK film and TV production last year compared with 2019, per the BFI. For a booming industry, that might seem like a gut punch, but zoom out, and it’s an utterly remarkable show of resilience. Remember, filming was basically shut down for around four months last year (there were zero high-end TV shoots in Q3). Running with this maths, spending should theoretically have...
- 2/5/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Shortlists to be announced on February 9.
The Academy on Thursday (January 28) published a list of 93 films eligible for international feature film Oscar category.
Algeria’s Heliopolis, about the brutal suppression by French colonial authorities of an uprising in 1945, is omitted from the list. Screen understands the national selection committee withdrew the submission.
There were also a record number of documentary submissions – 238 compared to the previous high of 170 – in light of amended eligibility rules this season due to the pandemic, and a reduced field of 27 animation contenders.
The shortlists will be announced on February 9. The 93rd annual Academy Awards are scheduled...
The Academy on Thursday (January 28) published a list of 93 films eligible for international feature film Oscar category.
Algeria’s Heliopolis, about the brutal suppression by French colonial authorities of an uprising in 1945, is omitted from the list. Screen understands the national selection committee withdrew the submission.
There were also a record number of documentary submissions – 238 compared to the previous high of 170 – in light of amended eligibility rules this season due to the pandemic, and a reduced field of 27 animation contenders.
The shortlists will be announced on February 9. The 93rd annual Academy Awards are scheduled...
- 1/28/2021
- ScreenDaily
This year’s Glasgow Film Festival will see no less than six world premieres in what is a packed programme.
The 17th annual festival is now completely online given the global pandemic and kicks off on February 24th with Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari. Closing the festival on March 7th is Suzanne Lindon’s debut feature, Spring Blossom.
World premieres include Eye of the Storm as well as Poly Styrene: I am A Cliché. Kevin Macdonald’s The Mauritanian will be among 49 films set for its UK premiere alongside Black Bear and Riders of Justice starring Mads Mikkelsen to name but a few.
Scottish highlights will see the return of Ewen Bremner as part of Nick Moran’s Creation Stories, penned by Irvin Welsh and Dean Cavanagh.
As with tradition, the programme’s Country Focus this year is South Korea. The strand will see the UK premiere of Jung-eun Lim...
The 17th annual festival is now completely online given the global pandemic and kicks off on February 24th with Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari. Closing the festival on March 7th is Suzanne Lindon’s debut feature, Spring Blossom.
World premieres include Eye of the Storm as well as Poly Styrene: I am A Cliché. Kevin Macdonald’s The Mauritanian will be among 49 films set for its UK premiere alongside Black Bear and Riders of Justice starring Mads Mikkelsen to name but a few.
Scottish highlights will see the return of Ewen Bremner as part of Nick Moran’s Creation Stories, penned by Irvin Welsh and Dean Cavanagh.
As with tradition, the programme’s Country Focus this year is South Korea. The strand will see the UK premiere of Jung-eun Lim...
- 1/14/2021
- by Thomas Alexander
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
UK festival recently moved online-only due to virus crisis.
The Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) has revealed the programme for its 2021 edition (Feb 24-March 7), which includes several award-winning festival favourites and a focus on South Korea.
The 17th edition of Gff, which recently announced it would shift online-only due to the ongoing virus crisis, includes six world premieres, two European premieres and 49 UK premieres – around a third of the event’s usual programme of 180 titles.
However, Gff co-directors Allison Gardner and Allan Hunter said the reduced number of slots had forced them to raise the bar for selection and produce a stronger programme as a result.
The Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) has revealed the programme for its 2021 edition (Feb 24-March 7), which includes several award-winning festival favourites and a focus on South Korea.
The 17th edition of Gff, which recently announced it would shift online-only due to the ongoing virus crisis, includes six world premieres, two European premieres and 49 UK premieres – around a third of the event’s usual programme of 180 titles.
However, Gff co-directors Allison Gardner and Allan Hunter said the reduced number of slots had forced them to raise the bar for selection and produce a stronger programme as a result.
- 1/14/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Listen up Oscar fans and international cinema aficioniados. We'd been holding off on this three part deep dive into the list of titles vying for Best International Feature Film until the Academy's announcement. Sadly we hear through the grapevine that they're not actually making this list "official" until very late in January. In other words, less than two weeks after they announce the 90 plus titles, they'll be cutting most of them when the finalist list of ten is announced on February 9th. This is no way to treat the movies, giving them such a tiny window of "official" attention. So we're sharing the list of 93 titles (a record) now and doing our deep dive now... with the caveat that one or two titles might change in late January when the Academy makes this official. If things do change we'll republish the list and the articles then. If they don't, we can just link back.
- 1/11/2021
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Every year since its creation in 1956, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) invites the film industries of various countries to submit their best film for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The award is presented annually by the Academy to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States that contains primarily non-English dialogue and that was released theatrically in their respective countries between 1 October 2019 and 31 December 2020.
Here are the Asian Submissions for Best International Feature Film. There are some excellent movies in this bunch and we have seen and reviewed already some of them.
Armenia
“Songs of Solomon” by Arman Nshanian
Bangladesh
“Sincerely Yours, Dhaka” by eleven different directors
Bhutan
“Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom“ by Pawo Choyning Dorji
Cambodia
“Fathers” by Huy Yaleng
China
“Leap” by Peter Chan
Georgia
“Beginnin” by Dea Kulumbegashvili
Hong Kong
“Better Days” by Derek Tsang
India
“Jallikattu...
Here are the Asian Submissions for Best International Feature Film. There are some excellent movies in this bunch and we have seen and reviewed already some of them.
Armenia
“Songs of Solomon” by Arman Nshanian
Bangladesh
“Sincerely Yours, Dhaka” by eleven different directors
Bhutan
“Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom“ by Pawo Choyning Dorji
Cambodia
“Fathers” by Huy Yaleng
China
“Leap” by Peter Chan
Georgia
“Beginnin” by Dea Kulumbegashvili
Hong Kong
“Better Days” by Derek Tsang
India
“Jallikattu...
- 1/6/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korea cinema had, by several accounts, a far better year than several other countries. It began the year well, with films like “The Man Standing Next” and “Beasts Clawing at Straws” releasing early on. But the onslaught of the Coronavirus pandemic in March forced cinemas to close down promptly and several important planned releases to be postponed. Yet, South Korea was also among the first countries to throw open the doors of its cinemas back to the public and the releases began coming in slowly but steadily. Where some large productions decided to postpone their releases to next year or even indefinitely, others still cut big-money deals with the likes of Netflix, giving audiences around the world early access to some big films. This approach also benefitted the country’s indie cinema scene, which took advantage of the lack of tentpole releases in the theatres to promote and release...
- 1/4/2021
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
The New Year weekend rankings give a bizarre indication of the havoc currently being wreaked on the Korean box office by the coronavirus, audience caution and stay at home orders. For a start, a Hollywood title scored a rare victory.
“Wonder Woman 1984,” the most recently released film of international significance, took the top spot for the second weekend. But it did so with a lamentable $605,000 gross, according to data from the Korean Film Council’s (Kofic’s) tracking services. It accounted for a 49% share of the Jan. 1-3 nationwide theatrical market, which shrank to just $1.2 million.
Behind it, Jackie Chan vehicle “Vanguard” managed just $97,000 from 12,000 ticket sales. That was good enough for third place by earnings, and second place by admissions.
Many of the titles that made up the remainder of the top ten were re-releases or other older titles. They included: Wong Kar-wai’s restored “In The Mood For Love...
“Wonder Woman 1984,” the most recently released film of international significance, took the top spot for the second weekend. But it did so with a lamentable $605,000 gross, according to data from the Korean Film Council’s (Kofic’s) tracking services. It accounted for a 49% share of the Jan. 1-3 nationwide theatrical market, which shrank to just $1.2 million.
Behind it, Jackie Chan vehicle “Vanguard” managed just $97,000 from 12,000 ticket sales. That was good enough for third place by earnings, and second place by admissions.
Many of the titles that made up the remainder of the top ten were re-releases or other older titles. They included: Wong Kar-wai’s restored “In The Mood For Love...
- 1/4/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
While the North American box office pulls in less than $5 million per weekend due to Covid-19, the China and Japan markets are not only open, but also capable of breaking theatrical records. It may feel logical to hurry more U.S. movies into Asian release, but when the real winners across the continent in 2020 have largely been local releases, studios and streamers will need to think long and hard about their strategy going forward.
Certainly, earning even a lowball $10 million from a theatrical release in China appears to be an attractive option at a time when Europe and the North American domestic markets are currently so dysfunctional. This was the route taken by Disney with “Mulan,” which went to premium VOD in Disney Plus territories and grossed a handy $42.2 million (RMB277 million) from Chinese theaters.
Similarly, Universal has seen China cinemas deliver $49.9 million of the $85 million global theatrical cumulative to...
Certainly, earning even a lowball $10 million from a theatrical release in China appears to be an attractive option at a time when Europe and the North American domestic markets are currently so dysfunctional. This was the route taken by Disney with “Mulan,” which went to premium VOD in Disney Plus territories and grossed a handy $42.2 million (RMB277 million) from Chinese theaters.
Similarly, Universal has seen China cinemas deliver $49.9 million of the $85 million global theatrical cumulative to...
- 12/24/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Overall the South Korean industry has shrunk by 63.6% according to a report by the Korean Film Council.
South Korea’s film industry is on course to have shrunk 63.6% by year’s end, according to a Korean Film Council (Kofic) report on the impact of Covid-19 published today.
The government-funded organisation estimates that, firstly, overall box office is on track to have gone down by 73.7% by year’s end, with approximately 60 million admissions for the year accounting for $467.5m (KW510bn).
Secondly, digital online sales are estimated to have gone down from $466.9m (KW509.3bn) last year to $333.28m (KW363.5bn) this year.
South Korea’s film industry is on course to have shrunk 63.6% by year’s end, according to a Korean Film Council (Kofic) report on the impact of Covid-19 published today.
The government-funded organisation estimates that, firstly, overall box office is on track to have gone down by 73.7% by year’s end, with approximately 60 million admissions for the year accounting for $467.5m (KW510bn).
Secondly, digital online sales are estimated to have gone down from $466.9m (KW509.3bn) last year to $333.28m (KW363.5bn) this year.
- 12/14/2020
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Wang Xiaoshuai took the best director prize for So Long, My Son.
Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite took best film at the 14th Asian Film Awards (Afa) today (October 28). The Palme d’Or and multiple Oscars winner also took best screenplay, editing and production design.
Due to Covid-19, the awards show was broadcast on the Afaa’s website and Youtube channel as well as on Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) website with pre-recorded messages from organizers, presenters and winners, all in different locales.
Presenting the best film award, last year’s winner Kore-eda Hirokazu said: “In March last year,...
Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite took best film at the 14th Asian Film Awards (Afa) today (October 28). The Palme d’Or and multiple Oscars winner also took best screenplay, editing and production design.
Due to Covid-19, the awards show was broadcast on the Afaa’s website and Youtube channel as well as on Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) website with pre-recorded messages from organizers, presenters and winners, all in different locales.
Presenting the best film award, last year’s winner Kore-eda Hirokazu said: “In March last year,...
- 10/28/2020
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
South Korean Oscar sensation Parasite was the big winner at this year’s Asian Film Awards, which were held today in an online format due to continued pandemic challenges.
The movie won Best Film, Best Screenplay for co-writers Han Jin Won and director Bong Joon Ho, Best Production Design and Best Editing. Bong Joon Ho was pipped to the Best Director award, however, by Wang Xiaoshuai, who took the prize for Chinese feature So Long, My Son.
The 13th Asian Film Awards were organized by the Afa Academy with the collaboration of the Busan, Tokyo, and Hong Kong film festivals. The ceremony was broadcast online by the Afaa and Busan festival’s official websites and Youtube channels.
Further awards included Hikari winning Best New Director for 37 Seconds, Lee Byung-hun winning Best Actor for The Man Standing Next, which is South Korea’s Oscar entry this year, and Zhou Dongyu...
The movie won Best Film, Best Screenplay for co-writers Han Jin Won and director Bong Joon Ho, Best Production Design and Best Editing. Bong Joon Ho was pipped to the Best Director award, however, by Wang Xiaoshuai, who took the prize for Chinese feature So Long, My Son.
The 13th Asian Film Awards were organized by the Afa Academy with the collaboration of the Busan, Tokyo, and Hong Kong film festivals. The ceremony was broadcast online by the Afaa and Busan festival’s official websites and Youtube channels.
Further awards included Hikari winning Best New Director for 37 Seconds, Lee Byung-hun winning Best Actor for The Man Standing Next, which is South Korea’s Oscar entry this year, and Zhou Dongyu...
- 10/28/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” predictably dominated the Asian Film Awards. The dark comedy, which won Cannes 2019 and four Oscars, added four further prizes on Wednesday, including best film and best screenplay.
The Afa event this year shifted from its previous base in Hong Kong and Macau to Busan. And it moved its dates from March to October to coincide with the Busan International Film Festival. But the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing travel restrictions meant that the 14th Afa ceremony was an online one.
“Parasite” also claimed prizes for Yang Yinmo’s editing and for Lee Ha-jun’s production design.
“Every member of ‘Parasite,’ no matter how big or small the role is, deserves to make a speech here with me because we made it together. I strongly believe that we will meet in person next year at the Asian Film Awards, shake hands, and enjoy talking with one another without masks.
The Afa event this year shifted from its previous base in Hong Kong and Macau to Busan. And it moved its dates from March to October to coincide with the Busan International Film Festival. But the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing travel restrictions meant that the 14th Afa ceremony was an online one.
“Parasite” also claimed prizes for Yang Yinmo’s editing and for Lee Ha-jun’s production design.
“Every member of ‘Parasite,’ no matter how big or small the role is, deserves to make a speech here with me because we made it together. I strongly believe that we will meet in person next year at the Asian Film Awards, shake hands, and enjoy talking with one another without masks.
- 10/28/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
by Nathaniel R
The Man Standing Next ...has the difficult task of following in Parasite's footsteps!
The submission charts for Oscar's Best International Feature Film race have been updated to reflect more new entries like Croatia's Extracurricular, Palestine's Gaza Mon Amour, Panama's war drama Causa Justa , Romania's documentary Collective, and South Korea's The Man Standing Next.
But the big news at the moment is six finalist lists so keep your eye out for any of these pictures to rise up...
The Man Standing Next ...has the difficult task of following in Parasite's footsteps!
The submission charts for Oscar's Best International Feature Film race have been updated to reflect more new entries like Croatia's Extracurricular, Palestine's Gaza Mon Amour, Panama's war drama Causa Justa , Romania's documentary Collective, and South Korea's The Man Standing Next.
But the big news at the moment is six finalist lists so keep your eye out for any of these pictures to rise up...
- 10/22/2020
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
South Korea, which saw its 2020 International Oscar submission Parasite not only win that prize but also take an unexpected Best Picture triumph, has selected its entry for next year’s race.
The Korean Film Council (Kofic) has put forward The Man Standing Next, Woo Min-ho’s historical political thriller which has been a local hit, grossing $36.4M after being released locally pre-pandemic back in January. The movie is set in 1970s Korea, when the country was under the absolute control of controversial President Park Chung-hee, and chronicles the events leading up to his assassination at the hand of one of his aides in 1979.
The 2021 Oscars are taking place on the later date of April 25 due to the pandemic disruption. Other countries to have submitted to-date include the Czech Republic and Poland, while regular contenders including Germany, Denmark and France will make their decision in the coming weeks.
Parasite was Korea...
The Korean Film Council (Kofic) has put forward The Man Standing Next, Woo Min-ho’s historical political thriller which has been a local hit, grossing $36.4M after being released locally pre-pandemic back in January. The movie is set in 1970s Korea, when the country was under the absolute control of controversial President Park Chung-hee, and chronicles the events leading up to his assassination at the hand of one of his aides in 1979.
The 2021 Oscars are taking place on the later date of April 25 due to the pandemic disruption. Other countries to have submitted to-date include the Czech Republic and Poland, while regular contenders including Germany, Denmark and France will make their decision in the coming weeks.
Parasite was Korea...
- 10/22/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
South Korea has selected political thriller “The Man Standing Next” as its national contender for the Oscars’ best international film award. The cast is headed by Lee Byung-hun, who is familiar to North American audiences for his previous roles in “R.E.D. 2” and the “G.I. Joe” franchise movies.
The film tells a previously little-known story of political maneuvering by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency in the 1970s, a time of military rule under President Park Chung-hee. Focus is placed on Park’s aides in the 40 days before one of them assassinates him in 1979.
Directed by Woo Min-ho, the film was released in January and became one of the top performers in the pre-coronavirus period, earning $36.6 million. Production was by Hive Media and Showbox.
The selection announcement was made by the Korean Film Council (Kofic), which had previously revealed that 13 films had put themselves forward. Others had included: “Deliver Us From Evil,...
The film tells a previously little-known story of political maneuvering by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency in the 1970s, a time of military rule under President Park Chung-hee. Focus is placed on Park’s aides in the 40 days before one of them assassinates him in 1979.
Directed by Woo Min-ho, the film was released in January and became one of the top performers in the pre-coronavirus period, earning $36.6 million. Production was by Hive Media and Showbox.
The selection announcement was made by the Korean Film Council (Kofic), which had previously revealed that 13 films had put themselves forward. Others had included: “Deliver Us From Evil,...
- 10/22/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
South Korea has picked Min-ho Woo’s political thriller The Man Standing Next as its entry for the best international feature film category at the 2021 Oscars.
Set amid the country’s military dictatorship period, the film centers on the inner circle of real-life South Korean president Park Chung-hee during the 40 days before his assassination in 1979. Consummate local leading man Lee Byung-hun stars as the Korean Central Intelligence Agency spy whose machinations ultimately led to a change of power in the country. Lee is among the short list of Korean stars to have crossed over to Hollywood in recent ...
Set amid the country’s military dictatorship period, the film centers on the inner circle of real-life South Korean president Park Chung-hee during the 40 days before his assassination in 1979. Consummate local leading man Lee Byung-hun stars as the Korean Central Intelligence Agency spy whose machinations ultimately led to a change of power in the country. Lee is among the short list of Korean stars to have crossed over to Hollywood in recent ...
- 10/22/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Woo Min-ho’s political drama grossed $36.4m in South Korea in January.
Woo Min-ho’s The Man Standing Next will be South Korea’s submission to the 93rd Academy Awards’ best international feature film category, the Korean Film Council (Kofic) has confirmed.
The submission follows the sweep of this year’s Oscars by Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite for best picture, director, original screenplay and international feature film.
Oscars best international feature 2021: all the films submitted so far
The Man Standing Next is set in the 1970s when South Korea’s authoritarian regime controlled the country utilising political terror...
Woo Min-ho’s The Man Standing Next will be South Korea’s submission to the 93rd Academy Awards’ best international feature film category, the Korean Film Council (Kofic) has confirmed.
The submission follows the sweep of this year’s Oscars by Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite for best picture, director, original screenplay and international feature film.
Oscars best international feature 2021: all the films submitted so far
The Man Standing Next is set in the 1970s when South Korea’s authoritarian regime controlled the country utilising political terror...
- 10/21/2020
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive first look image revealed for The Devil’s Deal.
South Korean investor-distributor Megabox Plus M is launching an international sales arm and has unveiled an initial slate led by The Devil’s Deal, directed by Lee Won-tae.
Lee’s last film was the 2019 Cannes midnight screenings title The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil starring Don Lee (aka Ma Dong-seok from Train To Busan). Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions picked up the crime action film for English-language remake last year before its world premiere.
The Devil’s Deal is a political drama starring Cho Jin-woong, Lee Sung-min (The Man Standing Next) and Kim Moo-yul.
South Korean investor-distributor Megabox Plus M is launching an international sales arm and has unveiled an initial slate led by The Devil’s Deal, directed by Lee Won-tae.
Lee’s last film was the 2019 Cannes midnight screenings title The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil starring Don Lee (aka Ma Dong-seok from Train To Busan). Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions picked up the crime action film for English-language remake last year before its world premiere.
The Devil’s Deal is a political drama starring Cho Jin-woong, Lee Sung-min (The Man Standing Next) and Kim Moo-yul.
- 10/6/2020
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
The 25th edition of the Busan International Film Festival will shrink by a third and be presented in a hybrid in-person and offline format, due to the challenges posed by the coronavirus.
Running with newly announced dates of Oct. 21-30, the festival will present foreign titles as both opening and closing films.
It will open with “Septet: The Story of Hong Kong,” an omnibus film by filmmakers from Hong Kong: Sammo Hung, Ann Hui, Patrick Tam, Yuen Wo Ping, Johnnie To, Ringo Lam, and Hark Tsui, which was previously official selection of the Cannes Film Festival. The festival will close with animated Japanese film “Josee, the Tiger and the Fish,” directed by Tamaru Kotaro.
The reduced format means that most events involving human contact have been canceled. These include the opening and closing ceremonies, red carpet, receptions, and parties. On-stage greetings, the ‘Open Talk’ fan meetings and other guest meetings...
Running with newly announced dates of Oct. 21-30, the festival will present foreign titles as both opening and closing films.
It will open with “Septet: The Story of Hong Kong,” an omnibus film by filmmakers from Hong Kong: Sammo Hung, Ann Hui, Patrick Tam, Yuen Wo Ping, Johnnie To, Ringo Lam, and Hark Tsui, which was previously official selection of the Cannes Film Festival. The festival will close with animated Japanese film “Josee, the Tiger and the Fish,” directed by Tamaru Kotaro.
The reduced format means that most events involving human contact have been canceled. These include the opening and closing ceremonies, red carpet, receptions, and parties. On-stage greetings, the ‘Open Talk’ fan meetings and other guest meetings...
- 9/14/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “Parasite” leads the race of this year’s Asian Film Awards, which will be hosted in his home country South Korea for the first time since the prize ceremony’s inception in 2007. The acclaimed drama picked up 10 nominations, including best film, best director and best screenplay.
“Parasite” was closely followed by Wang Xiaoshuai’s drama “So Long, My Son” from mainland China, and Taiwan drama “A Sun” by Chung Mong-hong. They each scored seven nominations including best film and best director, organizers of the 14th Asian Film Awards announced on Wednesday. A total of 39 films from 11 countries and regions are competing for the awards.
Founded by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, the AFAs have been staged in Hong Kong and Macau since their launch. In 2013, three major film festivals in Asia — Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo — joined hands to launch the non-profit Afa Academy,...
“Parasite” was closely followed by Wang Xiaoshuai’s drama “So Long, My Son” from mainland China, and Taiwan drama “A Sun” by Chung Mong-hong. They each scored seven nominations including best film and best director, organizers of the 14th Asian Film Awards announced on Wednesday. A total of 39 films from 11 countries and regions are competing for the awards.
Founded by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, the AFAs have been staged in Hong Kong and Macau since their launch. In 2013, three major film festivals in Asia — Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo — joined hands to launch the non-profit Afa Academy,...
- 9/9/2020
- by Vivienne Chow
- Variety Film + TV
The Asian Film Awards Academy has decided to announce the winners online on October 14.
Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite leads the nominations for this year’s Asian Film Awards (Afa) – hosted by Busan International Film Festival and the first to be held outside of Hong Kong and Macau – with ten nominations including best film and best director.
The Asian Film Awards Academy (Afaa), comprising the Hong Kong, Tokyo and Busan international film festivals, announced during last year’s Busan that the 14th Afa ceremony would be held in the South Korean city this year. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisers...
Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite leads the nominations for this year’s Asian Film Awards (Afa) – hosted by Busan International Film Festival and the first to be held outside of Hong Kong and Macau – with ten nominations including best film and best director.
The Asian Film Awards Academy (Afaa), comprising the Hong Kong, Tokyo and Busan international film festivals, announced during last year’s Busan that the 14th Afa ceremony would be held in the South Korean city this year. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisers...
- 9/9/2020
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
In Korea, the zombie film is no novelty. From the highly regarded “Train To Busan” to 2018’s period contagion flick “Rampant,” filmmakers across the country have flirted with the idea of placing the undead in their projects, often yielding mixed results. Some of the better productions boast nuanced class commentary and flurries of social satire, whilst some of the less impactful fall foul of something resembling a formulaic novelty. “#Alive,” Cho Il-hyung’s adaptation of Matt Naylor’s “Alone,” lies somewhere in the middle. Although a sure-fire box-office hit (the movie signalled hope for domestic cinema in the Covid age after attaining the highest weekend ticket sales since January’s “The Man Standing Next” upon its release), it occasionally falters in depth and memorability. However, Cho’s directorial debut does offer likeable leads and a swiftly executed plot, so if you are searching for something which excels in surface-level enjoyability,...
- 8/25/2020
- by Nathan Sartain
- AsianMoviePulse
Box office declined to its lowest level since 2005, but started showing signs of recovery in May and June.
South Korean box office saw its lowest first half since 2005, according to an analysis report the Korean Film Council (Kofic) published today (July 21). Public concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic knocked admissions down 70% year-on-year to a total of 32.4 million entries from January 1 to June 30, 2020.
Box office gross also decreased 70% to $228.56m (KW273.8bn). Local films’ box office take went down 64% while foreign films’ went down 77%.
With major releases postponed and admissions down, theatres downsized operations after the pandemic hit its stride in February,...
South Korean box office saw its lowest first half since 2005, according to an analysis report the Korean Film Council (Kofic) published today (July 21). Public concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic knocked admissions down 70% year-on-year to a total of 32.4 million entries from January 1 to June 30, 2020.
Box office gross also decreased 70% to $228.56m (KW273.8bn). Local films’ box office take went down 64% while foreign films’ went down 77%.
With major releases postponed and admissions down, theatres downsized operations after the pandemic hit its stride in February,...
- 7/21/2020
- by 134¦Jean Noh¦516¦
- ScreenDaily
Woo Min-ho graduated from Chung-Ang University in film before studying abroad at the University of London’s Goldsmith College, where he made his first short film “Who Killed Jesus?” in 2000. Though the short won Woo his first award at the Seoul International Agape Film Festival, he would not go on making films until a decade later, when he released his feature debut “Man Of Vendetta”. “The Spies” followed in 2012, but it wasn’t until “Inside Men” three years later that Woo broke out. The film, based on a web toon, was a political thriller starring Lee Byung-hun and won Best Film at both the Blue Dragon Awards and the Grand Bell Awards. He followed that up with the Song Kang-ho starring drug lord drama “The Drug King“, which was met with lukewarm response both from audiences and critics.
In 2020, he is back with “The Man Standing Next“, a true-life tale...
In 2020, he is back with “The Man Standing Next“, a true-life tale...
- 7/5/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
‘Happy Times’ will be released by Artsploitation Films in Q1 2020.
M-Appeal has closed North American deals on two of the most prominent titles on its virtual Marché slate.
The Berlin-based sales outfit confirmed that Artsploitation Films has acquired Michael Mayer’s Happy Times, a horror comedy set over the course of a Shabbat dinner in a luxurious Hollywood mansion. Mixing satire and genre elements, the film stars Israeli actor Michael Aloni (Shtisel) and Stéfi Celma.
Happy Times is produced by Mayer, Paola Porrini Bisson and Tomer Almagor. Executive producers are Gabrielle Almagor, Richard Bisson and Erri De Luca. Artsploitation plans...
M-Appeal has closed North American deals on two of the most prominent titles on its virtual Marché slate.
The Berlin-based sales outfit confirmed that Artsploitation Films has acquired Michael Mayer’s Happy Times, a horror comedy set over the course of a Shabbat dinner in a luxurious Hollywood mansion. Mixing satire and genre elements, the film stars Israeli actor Michael Aloni (Shtisel) and Stéfi Celma.
Happy Times is produced by Mayer, Paola Porrini Bisson and Tomer Almagor. Executive producers are Gabrielle Almagor, Richard Bisson and Erri De Luca. Artsploitation plans...
- 6/23/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
As every year, with the usual online announcement, the Festival’s director Sabrina Baracetti, has launched the 22nd edition’s Programme of the Udine Far East Film Festival 2020. This year, Sabrina talks from her office instead of the beautiful Teatro Nuovo of Udine, in a Zoom call, but the enthusiasm is as strong as ever.
After the incredible success of the lockdown teaser Programme called “Io Resto a Casa” (I Stay at Home) the Festival will continue the partnership with the online streaming platform MyMovies.it, From the 8yh of June the accreditations will be available on the Official Website
Festival Director Sabrina Baracetti
But, let’s have a look at the titles. Here are some interesting numbers: 46 Films, of which 38 in competition (the audience will be able to vote), 8 Countries, 12 Firs-time directors, and 25% of directors are women.
All The Films At A Glance. Online Festival Line-up 2020 And Territorial Restrictions...
After the incredible success of the lockdown teaser Programme called “Io Resto a Casa” (I Stay at Home) the Festival will continue the partnership with the online streaming platform MyMovies.it, From the 8yh of June the accreditations will be available on the Official Website
Festival Director Sabrina Baracetti
But, let’s have a look at the titles. Here are some interesting numbers: 46 Films, of which 38 in competition (the audience will be able to vote), 8 Countries, 12 Firs-time directors, and 25% of directors are women.
All The Films At A Glance. Online Festival Line-up 2020 And Territorial Restrictions...
- 6/4/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
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