Lee Chang-dong set Cannes ablaze in 2018 with the uneasily beautiful “Burning,” a loose Haruki Murakami adaptation about the folie à troix between an alienated delivery man (Ah-in Yoo), the wily young woman (Jong-seo Jun) he covets, and the handsome charisma machine who blows them apart. The South Korean director’s sixth film made history as Korea’s first to make the International Feature Oscar shortlist (it wasn’t nominated) but is perhaps best remembered for two scenes: the woman, Haemi (Jun), dancing topless for them to the tune of Miles Davis’ “Elevator to the Gallows” soundtrack, and for its abruptly violent ending involving murder and arson in the nude. Then, there’s a missing cat that may have never existed — pure Murakami.
“Burning” remains a new classic of the 2010s, an elusive portrait of loneliness and desire that never spills on its narrative secrets. It grossed an impressive $718,000 at the U.
“Burning” remains a new classic of the 2010s, an elusive portrait of loneliness and desire that never spills on its narrative secrets. It grossed an impressive $718,000 at the U.
- 4/10/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
This month, Metrograph is running “Novel Encounters: The Films of Lee Chang-dong,” a retrospective of the filmmaker’s career to date. The program includes four films in new 4K restorations from Film Movement: Green Fish, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, and Poetry.
Lee’s debut, Green Fish, particularly benefits from restoration, considering it was previously quite hard to find outside Internet back-channels ever since its low-quality DVD went out-of-print some years ago. The film, an impressive debut, more fully brings into light Lee’s career-long preoccupations––how a character is impacted by anger and isolation, the dichotomy between rural and urban landscapes, and their particular socio-political context.
Lee’s work can be cleaved into two parts: the first three films and the next three films. Not only is there an important shift, following Oasis, from male protagonists to female protagonists, but also a gravitation towards a more ephemeral subject matter and ambiguous mode of storytelling.
Lee’s debut, Green Fish, particularly benefits from restoration, considering it was previously quite hard to find outside Internet back-channels ever since its low-quality DVD went out-of-print some years ago. The film, an impressive debut, more fully brings into light Lee’s career-long preoccupations––how a character is impacted by anger and isolation, the dichotomy between rural and urban landscapes, and their particular socio-political context.
Lee’s work can be cleaved into two parts: the first three films and the next three films. Not only is there an important shift, following Oasis, from male protagonists to female protagonists, but also a gravitation towards a more ephemeral subject matter and ambiguous mode of storytelling.
- 4/5/2024
- by Shawn Glinis
- The Film Stage
“I hope we can communicate and reconcile again,” said Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon on the opening night of the South Korean city’s film festival.
With so much of the dialogue in opening drama “Because I Hate Korea” discussing Korean societal rigidities, group loyalties, long working hours and poor pay (which cause the protagonist to emigrate to laid-back New Zealand), it is easy to forget that many of these characteristics are what may have saved this year’s Busan International FIlm Festival from going off the rails.
Mid-year, the festival’s aging senior management had a self-inflicted meltdown (a senior moment?) when chairman and co-founder Lee Yong-kwan set off a chain of events that caused multiple resignations, highlighting the old city-versus-festival political divide and alienating local sponsors and industry guilds.
This was dirty laundry that Busan should have washed out of its system in the years-long aftermath of the 2014 “The...
With so much of the dialogue in opening drama “Because I Hate Korea” discussing Korean societal rigidities, group loyalties, long working hours and poor pay (which cause the protagonist to emigrate to laid-back New Zealand), it is easy to forget that many of these characteristics are what may have saved this year’s Busan International FIlm Festival from going off the rails.
Mid-year, the festival’s aging senior management had a self-inflicted meltdown (a senior moment?) when chairman and co-founder Lee Yong-kwan set off a chain of events that caused multiple resignations, highlighting the old city-versus-festival political divide and alienating local sponsors and industry guilds.
This was dirty laundry that Busan should have washed out of its system in the years-long aftermath of the 2014 “The...
- 10/4/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
“Mist” (Angae) or the Foggy Town is a South Korean film directed by the prolific filmmaker Kim Soo-Yong in 1967, inspired by the novel “Record of a Journey to Mujin” (무진기행) by novelist Kim Seung-ok. In 1968, “Mist” won the award for Best Director at the Asia Pacific Film Festival. This work undoubtedly stands as one of the most emblematic movies of Korean cinema's golden age (1955 to 1972). The historical backdrop in which this entire era of exploration is situated is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the works themselves.
Mist is screening at Film At Lincoln Center, as part of the Korean Cinema's Golden Decade: The 1960s program
The story follows Yun Gi-jun – portrayed by the legendary actor Shin Seong-il – a rich married businessman based in Seoul. Alienated and stressed by his job position, the protagonist decides to return to his hometown, Mujin, to visit the grave of his mother. There, he...
Mist is screening at Film At Lincoln Center, as part of the Korean Cinema's Golden Decade: The 1960s program
The story follows Yun Gi-jun – portrayed by the legendary actor Shin Seong-il – a rich married businessman based in Seoul. Alienated and stressed by his job position, the protagonist decides to return to his hometown, Mujin, to visit the grave of his mother. There, he...
- 8/30/2023
- by Siria Falleroni
- AsianMoviePulse
When the history books are written to include modern world cinema, one name that is sure to be mentioned as a titan not just of Korean or Asian cinema, but cinema in general, will undoubtedly be that of South Korean maestro Lee Chang-dong. In a career spanning more than 25 years now, starting in the early days of the Korean New Wave all the way till the modern day, Lee has made a mere six feature films, almost all of which are generally considered among the finest. In their 2022 edition, the Jeonju International Film Festival held a retrospective of the celebrated director’s works, which included 4k remastered versions of all of Lee’s feature films, along with the world premieres of his new short “Heartbeat” and “Lee Chang-dong: The Art of Irony”, a new retrospective documentary by French director Alain Mazars.
Much like Lee’s breakthrough sophomore work “Peppermint Candy...
Much like Lee’s breakthrough sophomore work “Peppermint Candy...
- 2/23/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Yun was an iconic star of the 1960s and 1970s ‘heyday of Korean films’.
Iconic Korean actress Yun Jung-hee, best-known internationally for her leading role in Lee Chang-dong’s Cannes-awarded Poetry, has died in France at the age of 78.
A leading star in what is known as the heyday of Korean films in the 1960s and 1970s, the actress was known to have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.
She died in Paris on Thursday (January 19), local time, according to Yonhap news agency.
Born in 1944 in Busan, Yun shot to stardom with her debut film Sorrowful Youth (1967), a...
Iconic Korean actress Yun Jung-hee, best-known internationally for her leading role in Lee Chang-dong’s Cannes-awarded Poetry, has died in France at the age of 78.
A leading star in what is known as the heyday of Korean films in the 1960s and 1970s, the actress was known to have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.
She died in Paris on Thursday (January 19), local time, according to Yonhap news agency.
Born in 1944 in Busan, Yun shot to stardom with her debut film Sorrowful Youth (1967), a...
- 1/20/2023
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
★★★★☆The intensity of language and the beauty it conveys are visually explored in Chang-dong Lee's Poetry (2010), a film which manages to fashion the vividly imaginative nature of a poem, against a narrative saturated with themes of human misery and which includes a breathtaking performance from one of South Korea's most revered actresses – Jeong-hie Yun. Mija (Jeong-hie Yun) is an elderly lady with an infectiously joyful energy that negates the climate of misery which currently dictates her life. She cares for a disabled older man in order to cobble together enough money to sustain herself and her dim witted grandson (whom she is the sole guardian of).
- 11/13/2014
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Chicago – We’re back. Last month’s list of ten interesting new additions to the Netflix library was a huge success and it’s time for your October edition. Every one of the ten films/shows listed below has been added in the last 30 days, and the emphasis this time is on things you may not have seen.
So, don’t consider these the “best” movies when compared to one another but the best choices for your time. I mean, who hasn’t seen “Evil Dead 2,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Fargo,” all new to Netflix? You should totally watch those masterpieces again and then check out something new…
The Central Park Five
“The Central Park Five”
Netflix Description: This piercing documentary examines the case of five teenagers, all African-American or Latino, who were convicted of the brutal rape of a white woman in Central Park in 1989. Years later, the confession of the...
So, don’t consider these the “best” movies when compared to one another but the best choices for your time. I mean, who hasn’t seen “Evil Dead 2,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Fargo,” all new to Netflix? You should totally watch those masterpieces again and then check out something new…
The Central Park Five
“The Central Park Five”
Netflix Description: This piercing documentary examines the case of five teenagers, all African-American or Latino, who were convicted of the brutal rape of a white woman in Central Park in 1989. Years later, the confession of the...
- 10/2/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
By Joey Magidson
Film Contributor
***
Between November and February of every Oscar season, rarely a day goes by that some sort of precursor award isn’t announced. It can all be pretty maddening, especially for those of us tasked with trying to predict the Academy Awards.
This is the time of year when you pretty much only have to throw a rock in order to hit a critics group announcing their year-end awards. Some years the critics all rally around one film, while other years have the love spread around much more. The thing is, though: Does it actually matter at all in terms of the Oscar race?
To be honest, not all critics groups are created equally. There’s some value to smaller groups like the Boston Society of Film Critics, but the ones that have any true sway are the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the New York Film Critics Circle.
Film Contributor
***
Between November and February of every Oscar season, rarely a day goes by that some sort of precursor award isn’t announced. It can all be pretty maddening, especially for those of us tasked with trying to predict the Academy Awards.
This is the time of year when you pretty much only have to throw a rock in order to hit a critics group announcing their year-end awards. Some years the critics all rally around one film, while other years have the love spread around much more. The thing is, though: Does it actually matter at all in terms of the Oscar race?
To be honest, not all critics groups are created equally. There’s some value to smaller groups like the Boston Society of Film Critics, but the ones that have any true sway are the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the New York Film Critics Circle.
- 12/19/2012
- by Joey Magidson
- Scott Feinberg
Here’s the trailer for Poetry, winner of Award for Best Screenplay at the Festival de Cannes 2010. Poetry is Written and Directed by Chang-dong Lee and stars Jeong-hie Yun, Nae-sang Ahn, Hira Kim, Da-wit Lee and Yong-taek Kim.
About Poetry:
A sixty-something woman, faced with the discovery of a heinous family crime, finds strength and purpose when she enrolls in a poetry class. Lee Chang-dong’s follow-up to his acclaimed Secret Sunshine is a masterful study of the subtle empowerment — and moral compass — of an indefatigable older woman.
Poetry opens in theaters on February 11th, 2011.
About Poetry:
A sixty-something woman, faced with the discovery of a heinous family crime, finds strength and purpose when she enrolls in a poetry class. Lee Chang-dong’s follow-up to his acclaimed Secret Sunshine is a masterful study of the subtle empowerment — and moral compass — of an indefatigable older woman.
Poetry opens in theaters on February 11th, 2011.
- 1/16/2011
- by Terry Boyden
- BuzzFocus.com
Korean dramas with an over 2 hour run time that despite winning at Cannes normally don't find a distribution deal if you take Lee Chang-dong’s Secret Sunshine as an example, but the folks at Kino International must feel a little different about the prospects in Chang-dong’s Poetry - an equally long, Cannes winning drama with a fine female performance in full view. - Korean dramas with an over 2 hour run time that despite winning at Cannes normally don't find a distribution deal if you take Lee Chang-dong’s Secret Sunshine as an example, but the folks at Kino International must feel a little different about the prospects in Chang-dong’s Poetry - an equally long, Cannes winning drama with a fine female performance in full view. In what could still be considered a Croisette deal, Kino have got themselves a slow-moving drama which thankfully doesn't...
- 5/27/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
Korean dramas with an over 2 hour run time that despite winning at Cannes normally don't find a distribution deal if you take Lee Chang-dong’s Secret Sunshine as an example, but the folks at Kino International must feel a little different about the prospects in Chang-dong’s Poetry - an equally long, Cannes winning drama with a fine female performance in full view. In what could still be considered a Croisette deal, Kino have got themselves a slow-moving drama which thankfully doesn't attempt to insert tear-jerk elements in what is already a rather occupied screenplay: Poetry is about an elderly woman trying to manage with the early signs of Alzheimer's while at the same time raising a grandson without a support system in place while searching for a new meaning at the end of her life. The prize winner does take its sweet time to get from point A to point B,...
- 5/27/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
With a Gangster film, WWII tale, Old Asian lady portrait and a period piece in the Main Competition you'd think we'd be talking about last year's batch of films: e.g.: Mother, Basterds and Bright Star. Not a recycling of story ideas, but rather same genres, among the surprise films below being nominated in the category, I was expecting Tavernier to occupy an Out of Comp or Special Screening slot. - With a Gangster film, WWII tale, Old Asian lady portrait and a period piece in the Main Competition you'd think we'd be talking about last year's batch of films: e.g.: Mother, Basterds and Bright Star. Not a recycling of story ideas, but rather same genres, among the surprise films below being nominated in the category, I was expecting Tavernier to occupy an Out of Comp or Special Screening slot. Here are four more from the 16. Outrage...
- 4/15/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
Here are the images (and Korean poster one-sheet) for Lee Chang-dong's Poetry. His 6th film will be in Cannes' Main Competition and will be known as the project that brought Jeong-hie Yun out of retirement. The popular Korean actress retired in 1974 and moved to Paris. - Here are the images (and Korean poster one-sheet) for Lee Chang-dong's Poetry. His 6th film will be in Cannes' Main Competition and will be known as the project that brought Jeong-hie Yun out of retirement. The popular Korean actress retired in 1974 and moved to Paris. Don't be surprised if there is some pre-hype for her to follow in Jeon Do-yeon's footsteps who won the Best Actress award at the festival in Secret Sunshine, Chang-dong's previous film? This tells the story of an elderly woman in search of the fundamental poetry from her life. Aside from being sentenced with an Alzheimer’s disease,...
- 3/31/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
First time filmmakers rarely get the chance to showcase a first film in the main comp - its the sidebars that handle plenty of first works and I think it'll be the same this year, but even Un Certain Regard section can be stingy on first time efforts (last year only a pair of films made it in that sidebar). Below we have a handful of filmmakers who have previously directed films but have never showcased the most prestigious film fest...example Golden Lion winning Peter Mullan - First time filmmakers rarely get the chance to showcase a first film in the main comp - its the sidebars that handle plenty of first works and I think it'll be the same this year, but even Un Certain Regard section can be stingy on first time efforts (last year only a pair of films made it in that sidebar). Below we...
- 2/17/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
After seeing the type of performance he can extract from Jeon Do-yeon in Secret Sunshine, I'm curious to know what he'll do with a sixty-year old legendary actress who has been on an acting sabbatical for almost two decades. Could be a poignant representation of solitude in old age. - #44. Poetry Director/Writer/Producer: Lee Chang-dongDistributor: Rights Available. The Gist: This is a drama about a lonely woman (Jeong-hie Yun) in her 60s, who is searching for a new meaning at the end of her life...(more) Cast: Yoon Hee-Jeong Why is it on the list?: After seeing the type of performance he can extract from Jeon Do-yeon in Secret Sunshine, I'm curious to know what he'll do with a sixty-year old legendary actress who has been on an acting sabbatical for almost two decades. Could be a poignant representation of solitude in old age. Release Date/Status?...
- 2/3/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
- I'm not sure if it took much coaxing to bring actress Jeong-hie Yun out from her 15 year semi-retirement, but it helps that the last actress (Do-yeon Jeon) in filmmaker Lee Chang-dong's last film, Secret Sunshine, would win Best Actress in Cannes, and it also helps that the film, currently in production, is a sure shot for a Cannes slot. Known for Peppermint Candy and Oasis, the Korean filmmaker will be exploring a portion in a human's timeline that is rarely addressed in film (the over sixty-plus crowd normally don't receive their own storylines) via Poetry is a drama about a lonely woman (Jeong-hie Yun) in her 60s, who is searching for a new meaning at the end of her life. Variety mentions that, "Yoon was one of the most popular stars in the country during the 1960s and '70s, starring in more than 300 films. After marrying Korean pianist Paik Kunwoo,
- 8/29/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
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