‘Secret of Leader’ explores changing Central Asian world

“The Secret of a Leader” (BIFF)Written and directed by Farkhat Sharipov of Kazakhstan, “The Secret of a Leader” screened its world premiere Oct. 6 at the Busan International Film Festival. There it competes in a field of nine for the newly created Kim Jiseok Award, honoring the director who passed away last year and remembering his passion to discover new talent across Asian cinema.In its 23rd year, the Busan film fest has grown to take on many roles, and it takes its responsibility of being the

Oct. 11, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Dark Figure of Crime (Korea) Opened Oct. 3Crime, Drama, MysteryDirected by Kim Tae-kyunConvicted murderer Kang (Ju Ji-hoon) calls up detective Kim Hyung-min (Kim Yoon-seok) from his cellphone and confesses to six additional murders that were never reported to authorities. Kim investigates the cases, and soon learns that Kang’s testimony is mixed with lies and the criminal is manipulating him.Venom(US)Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Oct. 3Directed by Ruben Fleischer Investigative journalist Eddie Brock

Oct. 11, 2018

Gong Yoo returns as ‘ex-spy agency member’

Gong Yoo is readying to return to the big screen, over two years after 2016 film “The Age of Shadows.”Gong is set to star in Lee Yong-joo’s new film tentatively titled “Seo Bok,” in which the actor will take on the role as a former intelligence agent who lends a helping hand to the world’s first human clone Seo Bok, as different groups try to track him down.Gong, who has appeared in films across different genres including “The Suspect” and “Train to Busan,” has kept a relatively low profile sinc

Oct. 11, 2018

Japanese actor in hot water at home for siding with Koreans over flag dispute

Japanese actor Jun Kunimura faces mounting criticism in his country after suggesting that Japan understand Koreans’ sentiment toward the controversial Rising Sun Flag, given the two countries’ thorny history.During the Busan International Film Festival on Friday, the actor said he thinks Japan should understand the way Koreans feel about the flag, when asked by a journalist about the controversy surrounding the flag being flown at a naval event in Korea.“The Japan Self-Defense Force would say th

Oct. 9, 2018

VR cinema at BIFF a glimpse into future?

BUSAN -- Many kids have dreamed of jumping into their favorite cartoon and being part of it, and virtual reality cinema is as close as you’re likely to get with today’s technology.The VR Theater section at the ongoing Busan International Film Festival offers a peek at what may be the next step for cinema and entertainment in general.The section is divided into three parts: VR Movie, VR Movie Live and VR Movie Experience. VR Movie works like your standard cinema, where audience members sit down a

Oct. 7, 2018

‘Ode to the Goose’ explores communication, paths of characters’ lives

“Ode to the Goose” by Korean-Chinese director Zhang Lu is a curious film. The main characters go through numerous conflicts in their lives, many of which remain unresolved.“I do not know the answers (to the conflicts). A director’s job is to find (things) to be curious about in life,” he said at a press conference for his film, screened at the Busan International Film Festival on Friday.True to his words, the director refused to spell out what his film was about, leaving the audience to interpre

Oct. 5, 2018

BIFF jurors seek fresh talent to shape the future of cinema

A film festival isn’t just a place to appreciate top-notch contemporary cinematic works, but also an opportunity to uncover new talent and determine the future of cinema. This is what the jurors for the New Current section of the Busan International Film Festival are looking to do, they vowed at a press conference in Busan on Friday, saying they were seeking directors with fresh perspectives.“Any industry -- film is no exception -- you must have new blood to prosper. We’re very interested to see

Oct. 5, 2018

Japanese actor criticizes use of controversial flag

Actor Kunimura Jun suggested that Japan should back down from its insistence on flying the controversial Rising Sun Flag during its visit to Jeju Island.Kunimura, one of the jury members for the New Currents section of the Busan International Film Festival, said that he understands how Koreans feel about the flag.“I know very well that it is a tradition of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, but I know that Koreans think differently about that flag,” he said at a press conference Friday in Busan. “

Oct. 5, 2018

BIFF sets sail, begins 10 days of cinematic splendor

World premieres, time-honored classics, special exhibitions and a tribute to a South Korean master auteur are among the delights in store for avid moviegoers Oct. 4-16 at this year’s Busan International Film Festival. The 23rd annual BIFF kicked off Thursday evening with an opening ceremony hosted by actors Kim Nam-gil and Han Ji-min at the Busan Cinema Center’s outdoor theater. The venue was filled to capacity with a crowd of 5,000. (Yonhap)Despite storm warnings, attendees lucked out with noth

Oct. 4, 2018

BIFF opener ‘Beautiful Days’ a film about family

The lives of the protagonists in “Beautiful Days,” which opened the 23rd Busan International Film Festival, are anything but beautiful.“It was originally called ‘Eomma (Mom),' but I liked the irony of the new title. It represents the hopes of what may come to be … It is the opposite of what the mother goes through in the movie, but it is a story of a hopeful future,” director Yun Jero said on his newest family drama at a press conference Thursday, ahead of the BIFF’s opening ceremony.The movie f

Oct. 4, 2018

Visions of Korean cinema at Busan film fest

“Don’t Go Too Far” (BIFF)The biggest film event of the year is upon us in Busan, with numbers as astounding as ever: 324 films from 79 countries across 30 screens, including 140 world and international premieres. And for all its international flavor, some of the tastiest treats are in what’s down the pike for Korean cinema.  Over the 10 days of the fest until Oct. 13, the Korean Cinema Today program will show 17 of the year’s highlights in local mainstream products, such as top ticket-seller “Al

Oct. 4, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Dark Figure of Crime (Korea) Opened Oct. 3Crime, Drama, MysteryDirected by Kim Tae-kyunConvicted murderer Kang (Ju Ji-hoon) calls up detective Kim Hyung-min (Kim Yoon-seok) from his cellphone and confesses to six additional murders that were never reported to authorities. Kim tracks investigates the cases, but soon learns a plethora of lies is mixed into Kang’s testimony, and the criminal is manipulating him.The Great Battle(Korea) Opened Sept. 19Drama, History, ActionDirected by Kim Kwang-sikTh

Oct. 4, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Venom’ is a little fun...If you forget that it’s a Venom film

An R-rated superhero film has always been seen as bit of a gamble: It means giving up on the huge teenage audience, but it also allows the film to tackle darker and more “adult” themes.Amid a plethora of family-friendly superhero blockbusters, this was the road less traveled that “Deadpool” took in 2016, whose success inspired “Logan” to follow suit.Why am I talking so much about R-rated superhero films when I’m about to review one that isn’t even one? Because Ruben Fleischer set out to make “Ve

Oct. 4, 2018

‘Normalized’ BIFF vows new beginning with 323 films

Busan International Film Festival has been limping on since the “Diving Bell” incident of 2014, which resulted in a number of cinema groups boycotting Korea’s largest cinema event.With the reinstatement of key members of the festival who had been sacked -- including the appointment of Lee Yong-kwan as the new chairman and bringing Jay Jeon back on board -- the organizers said 2018 will mark the first year of the normalization of BIFF. The 23rd BIFF, running Oct. 4-13, will feature 323 films from

Oct. 3, 2018

New ‘Fantastic Beasts’ film sparks dispute over casting of Korean actress as ‘pet snake’

The casting of South Korean actress Claudia Kim as Lord Voldemort’s pet snake in the latest installment of the “Fantastic Beasts” series has sparked yet another debate over typecasting in Hollywood.Kim, whose Korean name is Soo-hyun, sounded excited Tuesday when she revealed on her Instagram account that she would appear in the upcoming Harry Potter spinoff “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” as Nagini, originally described as Lord Voldemort’s right-hand snake in the books and films. H

Sept. 30, 2018

[Eye Plus] Retro cinema welcomes film buffs to Dongducheon

Multiplex cinemas are easily seen in major cities nationwide. Moviegoers can pick their favorites among several films playing simultaneously in different rooms in a building.Most of all, visitors’ accessibility has quite improved compared to some 30 years ago, as many movie theaters are now located in shopping malls near residential areas.Despite the convenience and high-end facilities, some middle-aged Koreans cling to memories of their school days, when they looked forward to going to cinema h

Sept. 27, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Great Battle(Korea) Opened Sept. 19Drama, History, ActionDirected by Kim Kwang-sikThe Chinese Tang Empire, led by Taizong (Park Sung-woong), is disgruntled by the military coup of Goguryeo’s Yeon Gaesomun (Yoo Oh-seong), and invades the kingdom. With the Goguryeo army suffering a devastating defeat, it is now up to Ansiseong fortress and its leader Yang Man-chun (Zo In-sung) to defend the country.Feng Shui(Korea)Opened Sept. 19Drama, History, Political thrillerDirected by Park Hee-gonIn the

Sept. 27, 2018

Film ‘Dark Figure of Crime’ made without permission from bereaved family

A member of a bereaved family has applied for an injunction to ban the screening of the upcoming film “Dark Figure of Crime,” arguing that the production crew did not ask for permission before making a story about the murder of her brother.In the movie, a prisoner confesses that he killed seven people, six more than what he was charged for. The story follows a detective who believes the criminal. One of the six cases was based on the murder of her brother.  “Dark Figure of Crime” (Showbox)The mo

Sept. 21, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Great Battle(Korea) Opened Sept. 19Drama, History, ActionDirected by Kim Kwang-sikThe Chinese Tang Empire, led by Taizong (Park Sung-woong), is disgruntled by the military coup of Goguryeo’s Yeon Gaesomun (Yoo Oh-seong), and invades the kingdom. With the Goguryeo army suffering a devastating defeat, it is now up to Ansiseong fortress and its leader Yang Man-chun (Zo In-sung) to defend the country.Feng Shui(Korea)Opened Sept. 19Drama, History, Political thrillerDirected by Park Hee-gonIn the

Sept. 20, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Dark Figure of Crime,’ a gripping trip tumbling down the rabbit hole

A convicted murderer confesses to a detective there is the blood of six lives on his hand.Why? Is he dumb? Most definitely not. He is cunning enough to manipulate people from within his cell. Is he crazy? Probably, but his intentions lie outside what most people would imagine, and it is this mystery that compels the audience to follow detective Kim Hyung-min (Kim Yoon-seok) in “Dark Figure of Crime.” “Dark Figure of Crime” (Showbox)The thriller, directed by Kim Tae-kyun, pulls cinemagoers in rig

Sept. 16, 2018