For Philippine director Treb Monteras II, hip-hop has always been about politics and social issues, and no situation is more pressing today for the country than that of de facto martial law under authoritarian President Rodrigo Duterte.Director Treb Monteras II (Treb Monteras II)“Respeto” -- “respect” in both Tagalog and Spanish -- is the director’s first feature film, after helming more than 300 music videos since 2004. The main role of aspiring street rapper Hendrix is played by Abra, while th

Film Jan. 17, 2019

“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

Film Oct. 11, 2018

“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

Film Oct. 4, 2018

 The three days of Chuseok this year and adjoining weekend mean most working people in Korea will have at least a four- or five-day break for the holiday. Some lucky souls may even say why bother and take the whole week off. But if you haven’t planned it yet, you may be hard-pressed to go anywhere with your time. Chuseok is especially reputed as the time of year the mega-metropolitan capital Seoul empties, as people drain from the city to their historic hometowns and reunite with family -- and w

Travel Sept. 20, 2018

Making headlines as much for its novel cryptocurrency funding as its content, “Braid” delivers thought-provoking, mind-bending material that explores the interdependent, perhaps psychotic, relationship of three female friends in what may be a make-believe world. The film screened in July at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, the nation’s premier genre cinema event, in the World Fantastic Red section, created this year especially for enthusiasts of the most b

Film Aug. 10, 2018

Mission: Impossible - Fallout(US)Opened July 25Action, Adventure, Drama, MysteryDirected by Christopher McQuarrie“Mission: Impossible - Fallout” finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast.Illang: The Wolf Brigade(Korea)Opened July 25Action, Sci-fiDirected by K

Film July 26, 2018

As Korea’s biggest genre cinema display, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival has earned a reputation for the grotesque and zany alike. For zombie fans in particular, the July festival just west of Seoul is a holiday season on par with that other in October, and its 22nd iteration running through Sunday doesn’t disappoint. Catching attention among the pack is teen zombie Christmas musical comedy “Anna and the Apocalypse.” Ella Hunt stars in “Anna and the Apocalypse” (BIFAN)Despite its R

Film July 19, 2018

Perhaps the biggest hit of indie cinema so far this year, German-Israeli production “The Cakemaker” opened in local theaters Thursday. The film was shown in the noncompetitive World Cinemascape section of the Jeonju International Film Festival early this month, where the movie’s main actress Sarah Adler also served on the jury. The Korea Herald sat down with writer and director Ofir Raul Grazier ahead of a screening on May 6. “I had a friend who had a double life. He had a wife, children, like a

Film May 24, 2018

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Danish director Isabella Eklof pulls no punches with her feature film debut “Holiday,” which has been a darling of the film festival circuit, even if it is not so likely to see wide, international theatrical releases. She is determined to bring the female gaze to film, and holds a steady, anthropological eye on her subjects.“I think people like a challenging first movie, one that’s different and interesting,” Eklof told The Korea Herald on May 5, after screening

Film May 14, 2018

Up the long escalators from the depths of Noksapyeong Station, along the barbed wire-topped walls of the aged US Yongsan Garrison and left at the kimchi pots; HBC unfolds from beneath the gaze of Namsan Tower. At one time a shooting field for the Japanese Army during colonial rule, the area became a refuge for those returning after Japan's 1945 expulsion with nowhere to return to, forming Haebangchon: “Liberation Village.” Over the years it’s seen shifts in populations and industries time and ag

Culture May 11, 2018

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province - Out-of-focus camerawork through cracked doors, surging sounds of the ocean, bending genre and form -- this year‘s international competition at the Jeonju film fest has all the hallmarks indie cinema audiences could expect. The 19th Jeonju International Film Festival, which features 241 films showing over 10 days, sees 10 films produced in 20 different countries compete in a veritable exhibition of experimentation and collaboration.  "Distant Constellation" (JIFF)“

Film May 9, 2018

The Korean competition at the 19th Jeonju International Film Festival has taken a youthful turn. According to festival organizers, much of the focus of the 10 Korean films competing this year is on the “anger and deprivation of young people,” even as Korean independent cinema itself can be seen evolving and maturing.What you won’t find in this year’s local competition are the dysfunctional -- but still happy, or at least together -- families of previous years. The spotlight has shifted to damage

Film April 30, 2018

One of the big issues in the film world today is getting more female perspectives on to the silver screen, and perhaps no film better exemplifies those efforts than director April Mullen’s “Below Her Mouth,” which made its Korean premiere at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival on July 14. Not content with just a female director for the lesbian love story, the film generated buzz with its all-female crew, from sets and lighting to catering. April Mullen (April Mullen)“We wanted the

Film July 20, 2017

The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival has enjoyed a hard-earned reputation for bringing to Korea the most outlandish, horrific and just plain absurd cinema to Korean audiences over the last two decades. In 2017, it brings “A--holes.” “A--holes,” the title of which appears uncensored on marquees, is the debut directorial feature from Peter Vack, an American actor who has appeared in mainstream efforts like “The Intern” and TV series “The Blacklist.” The X-rated film had its Asian prem

Film July 19, 2017

Withstanding the difficulties and inconveniences of being a vegetarian can derive from healthful or dietary purposes, but for many it is also about the environment.A 2011 report titled “Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate Change and Health” broke down common food by their total carbon dioxide emissions, including both production and postproduction factors such as transportation. Lamb and beef loomed large at 39.2 and 27 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilogram produced, respectively. Following that we

Social Affairs June 16, 2017