‘Okja’ begins shooting in Seoul, Steven Yeun joins cast

Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s upcoming monster-fantasy flick began shooting in Seoul last Friday, according to Netflix Korea, while another actor member -- Korean-American Steven Yeun -- has joined the film’s eclectic cast, reports say.　The film, set to be released by Netflix in 2017, is the most recent project of director Bong, whose previous feature “Snowpiercer” achieved worldwide critical acclaim.　“I wanted to tell a story about the beautiful friendship between humans and animals and the fe

April 24, 2016

‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ misses its target

How do you solve a problem like Kristen (Stewart)? If you’re the filmmakers of “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” you write Snow White entirely out of the sequel to “Snow White and the Huntsman.” 　The film’s clearly a valuable property, so it’s no wonder that Universal would return to that well with a sequel, this time directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, the visual effects supervisor on the first film. But the script acrobatics result in a bizarre prequel-sequel mash up where Snow White doesn’t show u

April 22, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

The Last Ride 　(Korea)　Opened April 20　Comedy, Drama. Directed by Nam Dae-joong　Nam-joon (Kim Dong-young) wants more than anything to be a macho man, but often fails at the feat. Gab-deok (Ahn Jae-hong) has been born into a rich family, but always gets into trouble. When their friend Go-hwan (Ryu Deok-hwan) is diagnosed with a terminal disease, the duo decides to help him fulfill his wildest wishes.　The Huntsman: Winter’s War　(U.S.)　Opened April 13　Action, Fantasy. Directed by Cedric Nicolas-Tro

April 22, 2016

Busan film fest determined to keep status as Asian cinema hub

While the Busan Metropolitan Government refuses to relinquish its influence over the Busan International Film Festival, the event’s organizers are more adamant than ever to protect its integrity and role in Asian cinema.　“All we want to do is preserve BIFF and what it stands for,” the festival’s public relations manager Kim Jung-yun told The Korea Herald on Thursday. “BIFF has come to play a huge role in Asian cinema. It acts as the stepping stone for Asian directors, a route to earn recognition

April 21, 2016

[Herald Review] Korean family observed in ‘End of Winter’　

“End of Winter” tells the story of a Korean family. 　This family is forced to stay together longer than originally intended when a snowstorm hits the northern city of Cheorwon, where its members have gathered for the retirement ceremony of the father, played by Moon Chan-gil, who is wrapping up his teaching career. 　There’s the newlywed daughter-in-law, played by Lee Sang-hee, struggling to find favor with her new family; her husband, the eldest son played by Kim Min-hyuk, a pharmaceutical sales

April 19, 2016

Korean filmmakers to boycott Busan film fest

A group of Korean filmmakers have declared a boycott of the 21st Busan International Film Festival set for this October, raising the possibility that Asia’s largest film event may not take place at all this year. 　The decision is the result of an industry-wide survey conducted in the week of April 1 via social media and telephone, the Emergency Committee for Defending BIFF’s Independence announced Monday. The emergency committee, which has been calling for the film festival’s artistic and operat

April 18, 2016

'Handmaiden' vies for Cannes prize

With director Park Chan-wook’s latest mystery-thriller “The Handmaiden” confirmed to screen in the Cannes Film Festival’s competition category, speculation abounds on whether the film will be able to bring a long-awaited win this year. 　The invitation, unveiled Thursday, was welcome news to the local film industry, as it marks the first time in four years that a Korean film has entered Cannes’ competition category. Hong Sang-soo’s “In Another Country” and Im Sang-soo’s “The Taste of Money” last

April 17, 2016

[Box office] Movies to see this weekend

Time Renegades　(Korea)　Opened April 13　　Thriller. Directed by Kwak Jae-yong　　The year is 1983. High school teacher Ji-hwan (Jo Jung-suk) is stabbed and loses consciousness. In 2015, police officer Geon-woo (Lee Jin-wook) is shot. After the incidents, the two gain the ability to see into each other’s lives, some 30 years apart in time. 　　Love, Lies　(Korea)　Opened April 13　　Drama. Directed by Park Heung-sik　　A beautiful female entertainer in 1930s Korea, So-yul (Han Hyo-joo) is enamored of compose

April 15, 2016

Sean Penn’s ‘The Last Face’ competing at Cannes festival

PARIS (AP) – Sean Penn’s “The Last Face” about aid workers in Africa will compete at the Cannes Film Festival this year -- along with movies about interracial marriage in 1950s America, illness and poverty in working class Britain and cannibal fashion models in Los Angeles.　The festival’s high glamour yet socially conscious lineup, announced Thursday by organizers, features 49 films harking from 28 countries, including Iran, Brazil, Egypt, Israel and South Korea. Twenty of the entries will be ru

April 15, 2016

Following vaccine controversy, Tribeca rolls out red carpet

NEW YORK (AP) -- The downtown Tribeca Film Festival kicked off with a bit of uptown style. 　The 15th annual festival was to open Wednesday with the premiere of Andrew Rossi's “The First Monday in May,” a behind-the-scenes documentary about the mounting of an ambitious fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the museum’s annual star-studded Met Gala. 　The film is an intimate and lively look at the highest aspirations of fashion, revealing everything from Anna Wintour fretting over s

April 14, 2016

Spielberg, Foster, Penn likely to feature in Cannes lineup

PARIS (AFP) -- Steven Spielberg, George Clooney and Jodie Foster are tipped to be among those who will walk the red carpet at Cannes next month when the lineup for the world’s top film festival is revealed Thursday.　While movies in the running for the main Palme d’Or prize are still under tight wraps, it appears that Spielberg will almost certainly show his adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic “The BFG” (The Big Friendly Giant) out of competition.　It will most likely be joined by Jodie

April 13, 2016

Ben Affleck to direct Batman film says Warner Bros. chief

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Ben Affleck will direct a stand-alone “Batman” movie, says Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara. 　 Affleck portrayed the caped crusader in this year’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and had been rumored to be the studio’s top choice. Tsujihara confirmed the studio was moving forward with him in the director’s seat Tuesday at CinemaCon, an annual gathering of theater owners in Las Vegas. 　 Actor Ben Affleck, cast as Batman, waves as he arrives for the red carpet e

April 13, 2016

'The Force Awakens' wins top honors at MTV Movie Awards

BURBANK, California (AP) –- “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” took the top prize at the 25th annual MTV Movie Awards.　The audience at Warner Bros. Studios waved what looked like red and blue light sabers as star Daisy Ridley and director J.J. Abrams accepted the final golden popcorn trophy at Saturday night's ceremony.　The prize capped off the irreverent awards show, which presents fan-voted film awards and touts upcoming releases.  Writer-director J.J. Abrams and actress Daisy Ridley accept the Mo

April 11, 2016