Director Chung returns with graphic torture drama

‘Unbowed’ director says he wants presidential candidates to see his latest work, which recounts torture suffered by late democracy activist Kim Geun-taeBUSAN ― After highly controversial courtroom drama “Unbowed,” director Chung Ji-young has returned with another socially conscious, politically themed drama inspired by the true story of late politician and democracy activist Kim Geun-tae.In spite of its serious subject matter, last year’s “Unbowed” was often comical and humorous. Yet Chung’s lat

Oct. 7, 2012

Pieta to compete in Moscow independent film festival:

Director Kim Ki-duk looks to add to his international acclaimFilmmaker Kim Ki-duk and his most recent film Pieta has been invited to the International Festival of Independent Films “2morrow/Zavtra” that will begin on Tuesday in Moscow. This festival presents a number of selected feature films, documentaries and video, art and experimental works by prominent directors. This year marks the sixth year of the independent film festival and ten films from all over the world including as Russia, France

Oct. 7, 2012

Box Office

Ghost Sweepers (Korea)Opened Oct. 3Comedy. Horror. Supernatural. Directed by Shin Jeong-won. Chan-young (Kang Ye-won), a young, reckless newspaper reporter, investigates a village called Uljinri that is reportedly cursed by evil spirits. She realizes that even local shamans and religious leaders have abandoned the town. While exploring the village, Chan-young encounters a group of top shamans united by the common goal of eliminating the evil: exorcist Park (Kim soo-ro), Monk Shim-in (Kwak Do-Won

Oct. 5, 2012

‘Wallflower’ lets us relish even the ugly side of high school

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is wistful, witty, romantic and sentimental, a “Breakfast Club” for the new millennium. It’s not high school as it really was and remains today. It is high school as it really should be.Writer-director Stephen Chbosky, adapting his own novel, presents a version of those years that is equal parts hopeful and cruel, with complicated, fragile kids with deep dark secrets and great, unrequited loves. The unpopular are protected from bullies by kind strangers, their p

Oct. 5, 2012

Zhang, Cheung touched by Jang Dong-gun’s professionalism

Chinese actresses share their experience making Korean-Chinese production “Dangerous Liaisons”BUSAN -- Stars of one of the most anticipated films at this year’s BIFF shared thoughts on making of the film on the second day of the festival in Busan. China’s top actress Zhang Ziyi and Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung together praised Korean actor Jang Dong-gun, whom they co-starred with in Korean director Hur Jin-ho’s latest drama “Dangerous Liaisons” -- for his professionalism and looks. “I’ve bee

Oct. 5, 2012

Busan film fest closes with fanfare

The 10-day Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) closed Saturday after demonstrating its growing stature as Asia's largest film event.The curtains came down with the screening of "Television," a family-focused movie directed by Mostafa Farooki from Bangladesh.  In a departure from previous events that mostly opened or closed with Korean films, Hong Kong crime thriller "Cold War" featuring some big-name Chinese stars such as Aaron Kwok, Leung Tony Ka-fai and Andy Lau opened this year's festiva

Oct. 5, 2012

No mid-life crisis for 007 as Bond films turn 50

LONDON (AP) ― It was a meeting of the two most famous British people on the planet: Queen Elizabeth II turned to her tuxedo-wearing guest and said, “Good evening, Mr. Bond.’’The pairing of these icons, the English monarch and the king of spies ― in a film for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics ― was a thrilling moment. It scarcely mattered that one of them was fictional. Agent 007 is real to millions of moviegoers, and once again they will flock to see Bond battle for queen and country

Oct. 4, 2012

H.K. thriller opens Asia’s top film fest

BUSAN (AFP) ― A glittering line-up of Asia’s biggest stars converged on the South Korean port city of Busan on Thursday for the opening of the region’s premier film festival showcasing Asian cinema.Along with Korean heartthrobs Lee Byung-hun and Jun Ji-hyun, Chinese stars Tang Wei and Cecilia Cheung are attending the 10-day Busan International Film Festival.Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi ― currently taking legal action against a U.S.-based Chinese online news outlet over claims the “Crouching Tiger,

Oct. 4, 2012

Bond girls show women's progress

This undated publicity photo provided by United Artists and Danjaq, LLC shows Ursula Andress in a scene from the James Bond film, "Dr. No." Her image personifies the gorgeous, mysterious cool of the Bond girl. The film is included in the MGM and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Blu-Ray "Bond 50" anniversary set. (AP-Yonhap News)This undated publicity photo provided by United Artists and Danjaq,

Oct. 4, 2012

Bond fans set to mark 50 years of big-screen style

A series of events are to be held on Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond films, the iconic spy saga that helped define half-a-century of cultural, political and technological upheaval. The suave British agent, code name 007, appeared on the silver screen for the first time in the 1962 classic “Dr. No,” introducing himself with the immortal line ”Bond... James Bond“ over a high-stakes game of baccarat.Bond has been played by six different actors over the 22-series adventure, but

Oct. 4, 2012

Chinese actress sues U.S. website over Bo link claims

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi walks in during the red carpet event for the 2nd Beijing International Film Festival on Tuesday. (AFP)Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is suing a US-based Chinese online news outlet over claims that she was a prostitute who had sex with top official Bo Xilai and others, a lawyer said Wednesday.The "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" star is taking legal action for libel in Los An

Oct. 4, 2012

‘The Thieves’ steals Korean box office record

 Director Choe Dong-hoon’s box office smash hit “The Thieves” has now become the top-selling Korean movie of all time. As of Tuesday, the movie featuring a star-studded cast set a box office record for Korean films by drawing in 13,020,393 movie goers to the theaters, stealing the top spot from director Bong Joon-ho’s 2006 sci-fi thriller “The Host.” Official box office figures showed that the movie has earned approximately 93.6 billion won ($84 million), surpassing the previous admissions leade

Oct. 3, 2012

Ex-Scientologist: Cruise ‘scary to watch’

Tom Cruise (AP)The relationship between U.S. actor Tom Cruise and Scientology leader David Miscavige is so close the lines between them are blurred, an ex-Scientologist said.Former Scientologist Steve Hall, who headed the church‘s marketing division for 20 years, said Cruise could have been seen as a victim of charismatic leader Miscavige when he became a Scientologist, but not anymore.“There’s a

Oct. 2, 2012

BIFF to heat up Busan

Guide to the 17th edition of one of the biggest film fests in AsiaMoviegoers and cineastes will head to Busan next week, as one of the biggest film festivals in Asia is kicking off its 17th edition in the southern port city. This year, the Busan International Film Festival features a total of 304 films from 75 countries, including a romantic comedy shot entirely in North Korea.Hong Kong’s police action film “Cold War” opens this year’s edition, while Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Farooki’s sati

Sept. 28, 2012