Remembering the first kiss and the last commissar

Andrei Yevgrafov remembers it vividly, the way an American kid might recall the moment he realized there is no Santa Claus. Except this was Russia, not the United States, and Andrei was no kid.He serving in the Soviet army and had just applied for membership in the Communist Party. Regretfully, the membership committee turned him down. Andrei’s record was spotless, an officer told him, but who cou

July 1, 2011

Fest to bring films on youth, family, love and growing up

The 13th Seoul International Youth Film Festival to feature 141 films and diverse programsA special film festival dedicated to children and teenagers, with some 140 films from 37 different countries, will be held in Seoul next week.The 13th Seoul International Youth Film Festival will open on July 7 in several locations in Seoul, bringing both film screenings and educational opportunities for aspi

June 30, 2011

Myanmar deports actress Michelle Yeoh

YANGON (AP) ― The military-backed government of Myanmar has deported Hollywood actress Michelle Yeoh, who stars as pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in an upcoming movie, officials said Tuesday.The Malaysian actress arrived in the country’s main city, Yangon, on June 22 and was deported the same day because she was on a blacklist, a government official said.The official, who declined to be ide

June 30, 2011

Watch over head Hollywood, here come Angry Birds

Popular smartphone game app Angry Birds is to be made into a movie, according to reports.Produced by Helsinki-based animation studio Rovio, the game has been downloaded 250 million times worldwide. Enjoyed by iPhone users, Angry Birds can also be seen on toys or even in cookbooks.David Maisel, who is former executive for Marvel Studio, is to participate in the new movie. Marvel Studio has produced

June 30, 2011

Box Office

The Cat (Korea) Opening July 7.Horror. Directed by Byeon Seung-wook. So-yeon (Park Min-young), a young woman who works at a pet shop, suffers from claustrophobia stemming from a traumatic childhood experience. One day, the owner of a beautiful cat named Bi-dan, who often visits So-yeon’s shop, is found dead in an elevator. So-yeon takes Bi-dan, found next to her dead owner’s body, to her place and

June 24, 2011

Cameron Diaz says playing a rotten teacher taught her a thing or two

After 17 years of winning over moviegoers with her mile-long legs, breezy confidence and wide, almost goofy smile, one of Hollywood’s consummate charmers has had enough. Cut the charisma and cue the contempt: It’s time, finally, to loathe Cameron Diaz.As an unrepentant moral scourge in her new film “Bad Teacher,” Diaz plays Elizabeth Halsey ― an educator who steals, cheats, lies, sleeps in class,

June 24, 2011

Richard Gere speaks out on suffering in Tibet

American actor and practicing Tibetan Buddhist Richard Gere spoke out on the sufferings of Tibetans under Chinese occupation in Seoul, Wednesday.“I think it’s impossible to look at these photographs and not realize the extraordinary suffering of the Tibetan people,” Gere told reporters at a press conference promoting his Tibet-themed photo exhibition at Seoul Arts Center. “I think when you see the

June 22, 2011

Kim Ki-duk’s cinematic self-portrait invited to Karlovy Vary film festival

Director Kim Ki-duk’s controversial cinematic self-portrait “Arirang” has officially been invited to Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, an annual film fest held in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.The movie, an emotionally raw cinematic account written, directed, and starring Kim, featuring his own perceived failings and traumatic experiences, will be shown in KV IFF’s non-competitive section “

June 20, 2011

Film Society of Lincoln Center opens new home

NEW YORK (AP) ― As a trendsetting designer and architect, David Rockwell has done it all ― from Broadway shows and a restaurant partly owned by Robert De Niro to children’s hospitals and a hip hotel near Times Square.On Friday, his latest creation will open: the permanent home of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, a $41 million world-class movie complex that is both a community center for its Man

June 19, 2011

Box Office

KJ (China)Opening June 16Documentary. Directed by Cheung Kingwai. Eleven-year-old prodigy Ka-jeng (KJ) has won numerous prestigious awards -- including for top pianist at the Hong Kong Schools of Music Festival -- and performed at famous concert halls around the world. Yet he begins to struggle as he loses his purpose in life, finding no meaning in attending his classes and practices. In this emot

June 17, 2011

Shedding some light on ‘Green Lantern’

Ultimately, there is just one Superman, just one Batman, just one Wonder Woman. But there are countless Green Lanterns within DC Comics’ fictional universe, and at least five have starred in comic books and animated TV series. When the live-action “Green Lantern,” starring Ryan Reynolds, opens Friday, moviegoers could be forgiven if they wonder, “Green who? Lantern what?”The answer, in the movie’s

June 17, 2011

Love, lust and growing old

Weathered BlossomBy Park Wan-suh(Hollym International Corp.)Late author Park Wan-suh has written a lot about Korean women of different time periods, ages and personalities. From an established gynecologist (“Three Days in That Autumn”), to an old dying mother who cannot let go of the day her son died during the Korean War (“Mother and a Picket”), Park’s female characters have been both ordinary an

June 17, 2011

Junger reflects on the Afghan war and the death of a friend

Sebastian Junger and photojournalist Tim Hetherington produced and directed the film “Restrepo: One Platoon, One Year, One Valley,” which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and was a best documentary Oscar nominee.It documented five trips in and out of eastern Afghanistan, where they were embedded with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. Now, Junger’s book “War” (Twelve Publishers, $15.99), new

June 17, 2011

New Harry Potter project spellbinds cyberspace

LONDON (AFP) -- Harry Potter fans were abuzz with excitement on Thursday after creator JK Rowling launched a mysterious web site counting down to the announcement of a new project.A spokesman for the multi-million selling writer said the new enterprise was not a new book and was not related to the upcoming release of "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2", the final film in the epic saga.S

June 17, 2011

Horror, thriller, fantasy, and mystery movies all in one festival: Pifan

Zombies, ghosts, aliens, vampires and more. More than 200 films of genres including horror, fantasy, mystery and animation will arrive next month.The 15th annual Puchon International Fantastic Festival, featuring a total of 221 films from 34 countries, will open July 14 in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.The festival will open with “Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told,” an Indian documentary f

June 16, 2011

Hollywood's Natalie Portman gives birth to a boy

Natalie Portman poses backstage with the Oscar for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Black Swan" at the 83rd Academy Awards. (AP-Yonhap News)LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2011 (AFP) - Actress Natalie Portman, who in February won an Oscar for her lead performance in the ballet-themed thriller "Black Swan," has capped off her banner year with the birth of a son, US media reported Wednesd

June 16, 2011

Schwarzenegger's mistress breaks silence

LONDON (AP) _ Arnold Schwarzenegger's former housekeeper has spoken out about having a child with the ex-governor, saying her son Joseph only learned about a year ago who his father was.Mildred Baena has kept a low profile since the revelations of her affair with the former California governor sparked a tabloid frenzy.The scandal exploded into public view after Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shrive

June 15, 2011

Lucky guy: Pacino’s new girlfriend 40 years his junior

World-famous actor Al Pacino, 71, appeared on the red carpet with a woman on his arm Sunday night at Tony Awards. His new girlfriend, Argentinean actress Lucila Sola, is 40 years younger than Pacino.  Al Pacino and his girlfriend on the red carpet at Tony Award. (AP)After relationships with celebrities including Diane Keaton and Tuesday Weld, fans are envious and curious about the secret of Al Pac

June 14, 2011