The Jeonju International Film Festival wrapped up after a 10-day run on Saturday without a proper closing ceremony. The decision to downsize the closing ceremony was announced on Thursday night after the event organizer found out that one member of the audience and a festival organizing staffer tested positive for the coronavirus. Except for those two cases, there has not been any other reports of a further spread of the infection, the festival organizer said. Instead of the planned closing c

Film May 9, 2021

The Courier (US) Opened April 28 Thriller Directed by Dominic Cooke In 1960, Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze), an agent of the Soviet Union possesses a letter that contains important information which can prevent a nuclear war and hopes to send it to the CIA. To receive this letter, the CIA and M16 cooperate and send British salesman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) as their spy to the Soviet Union. 　 　 Rain and Your Story (Korea) Opened April 28 Romance Directed by Jo Jin-mo  In 20

Film May 7, 2021

The 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival announced its award winners during a closing ceremony that took place at the Korea Traditional Culture Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province on Wednesday. A total of 15 awards in four categories — international competition, Korean competition, Korean competition for shorts and special award — were given out during the ceremony. Under the international competition category, which focuses on new and emerging directors from around the wor

Film May 6, 2021

Before playing So-hee in romance film “Rain and Your Story,” actor Chun Woo-hee was focusing on making a strong impression with dark and strong characters, like teenage rape victim Gong-ju in “Han Gong-ju” and the mysterious Mu-myeong in “The Wailing.” “I have played many serious roles, so I was thirsty for characters that are bright and down to earth,” Chun told reporters during a joint media interview via Zoom. Set mostly in 2003, “Rain

Film May 5, 2021

Angelina Jolie is returning to the big screen as a smoke jumper traumatized by her past work in the upcoming action thriller “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” directed by Taylor Sheridan. The movie hits theaters in South Korea on May 5, ahead of its release elsewhere in the world. For the 45-year-old American actor, taking part in the film was therapeutic. “I wasn’t feeling particularly strong coming into this. But to be able to get him (Connor, the child in the film) through

Film May 4, 2021

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Director Srdan Golubovic, whose film “Father” opened the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival, said he created the movie about poverty because many people in Serbia do not know it exists. “Many people in Serbia say they have never seen such poverty,” he told reporters during a Zoom interview on Friday. He explained that this is because they are ignorant, and poor people also tend to feel ashamed of themselves and live quietly. &ld

Film May 4, 2021

When director Park Hoon-jung, who helmed the award-winning 2012 crime thriller “New World,” was casting for his new movie “Night in Paradise” in 2019, actor Jeon Yeo-been was not as widely known as she is now. 　 “I appreciate director Park Hoon-jung for casting me and actor Eom Tae-goo in the lead roles,” Jeon said during a joint media interview held via Zoom on April 23. “I am really grateful that he trusted us and that he was willing to go on an adve

Film May 3, 2021

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Actor Ryu Hyun-kyung on Friday introduced eight movies -- four features and four short films -- that she selected for “J Special: Programmer of the Year,” a new section at the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival. “Organizing everything on our own is effective when establishing the festival’s identity. But there could also be different approaches (to movies),” the director of the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival, Lee Joon

Film April 30, 2021

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Eight directors of Korea’s international film festivals, including director of the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival Lee Joon-dong, have jointly expressed their support for the democratic movement in Myanmar during a press conference on Friday. The conference, held at CINE Q Jeonju Film Street, began with a screening of the short film “Burma Spring 21.” The film centers on the military-led February coup in Myanmar and is directed collabo

Film April 30, 2021

Recalled (Korea) Opened April 21 Thriller Directed by Seo You-min Soo-jin (Seo Yea-ji) wakes up after an accident with part of her memory lost. Fortunately, her husband Ji-hoon (Kim Kang-woo) is there to take care of her. After returning home, Soo-Jin realizes that she now has a special power to see people’s futures, the moments when they are about to face dangerous situations. Nomadland (US) Opened April 15 Drama Directed by Chloe Zhao After Fern (Frances McDormand) loses her job o

Film April 30, 2021

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- The Jeonju International Film Festival held an opening ceremony hosted by actor Kwon Hye-hyo and Park Ha-sun on Thursday night at the Sori Arts Center of Jeollabukdo. The event will last for 10 days until May 8. “Over the last 20 years, our festival has been introducing (films with) new topics. Old and familiar topics are comfortable but they cannot change the world. Jeonju International Film Festival has been preserving the value of independent movies&

Film April 29, 2021

Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, former Roman Catholic archbishop of Seoul, died at the age of 89 on Tuesday at 10:15 p.m., the office of the Seoul Archdiocese said. A requiem Mass for the cardinal took place at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on Wednesday in the early morning hours, celebrated by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, the incumbent archbishop. “If Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan was our father, Cardinal Cheong Jin-suk was our mother,” Yeom said during the requiem Mass. Cheong cur

People April 28, 2021

Veteran actor Youn Yuh-jung, 73, opened a new chapter in Korean cinema by becoming the first actor to win the best supporting actress prize at the 93rd Academy Awards on Monday for her role in “Minari.” She portrays an unconventional Korean grandma Soon-ja who comes to America to look after her two grandkids while Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica are (Han Ye-ri) are out working to pursue the American dream in Arkansas. With the Oscar trophy, Youn has bagged more than 40 trophies at

Film April 26, 2021

Veteran actor Youn Yuh-jung clinched the best supporting actress award at the 93rd Academy Awards on Monday for her performance in US film “Minari” as an eccentric grandmother. With the win, Youn became the first South Korean to win an Oscar for acting. No other Korean actor, including those in the Oscar-winning “Parasite,” has ever been nominated for an Academy Award. The four other actors vying for the prize were Maria Bakalova for “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,&

Film April 26, 2021

Veteran actor Youn Yuh-jung, 73, won the best supporting actress prize at the 93rd Academy Awards on Monday for her portrayal of eccentric grandmother Soon-ja in the US film “Minari.” Youn became the first Korean to win an Oscar trophy in an acting category. No other Korean actor, including those from last year’s breakthrough Oscar winner “Parasite,” had received any trophies from the Academy Awards. “Tremendous thanks to Academy members who vote for me,&rdq

Film April 26, 2021