Blue Finch Film Releasing presents A Bittersweet Life, The Foul King and The Chaser on digital platforms from 8 April. These must-see modern Korean cult cinema classics from acclaimed filmmakers Kim Jee-woon and Na Hong-jin, are exploding back onto screens, with The Foul King available in the UK and Ireland for the very first time.
A Bittersweet Life
Gangster Sun-woo (Lee Byung-hun) has worked his way up the ranks in his organisation, earning the trust of his callous crime boss Mr. Kang, who assigns him to spy on his mistress fearing she may be having an affair. When Mr Kang's suspicions are found to be true, Sun-woo finds his life on the line when his choice to spare the mistress and her secret lover's lives starts an irreversible gang war.
This ultra-stylish neo noir is written and directed by renowned filmmaker Kim Jee-woon, and features a career-defining performance from international star Lee Byung-hun,...
A Bittersweet Life
Gangster Sun-woo (Lee Byung-hun) has worked his way up the ranks in his organisation, earning the trust of his callous crime boss Mr. Kang, who assigns him to spy on his mistress fearing she may be having an affair. When Mr Kang's suspicions are found to be true, Sun-woo finds his life on the line when his choice to spare the mistress and her secret lover's lives starts an irreversible gang war.
This ultra-stylish neo noir is written and directed by renowned filmmaker Kim Jee-woon, and features a career-defining performance from international star Lee Byung-hun,...
- 3/15/2024
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho’s 2006 monster movie “The Host” is among Paris-based distributor The Jokers Films’ recent releases, made available for the first time ever as a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray edition.
The Jokers’ other new French release, the 4K restoration of Bruce Weber’s 1988 Chet Baker doc “Let’s Get Lost,” also screened at the Lumière Festival in Lyon with Weber in attendance.
Describing the film’s sound and 4K restoration as “sublime,” The Jokers head Manuel Chiche says, “‘Let’s Get Lost’ is now a timeless classic not only about life but also about art and creation.”
“Let’s Get Lost” is due to hit French theaters in summer 2024.
“The Host,” meanwhile, premiered earlier this year in France with a special screening, along with the Oscar-winning “Parasite,” and master class by Bong at Paris’ famed Grand Rex theater and also unspooled at the Institut Lumière in Lyon as part of a Bong retrospective.
The Jokers’ other new French release, the 4K restoration of Bruce Weber’s 1988 Chet Baker doc “Let’s Get Lost,” also screened at the Lumière Festival in Lyon with Weber in attendance.
Describing the film’s sound and 4K restoration as “sublime,” The Jokers head Manuel Chiche says, “‘Let’s Get Lost’ is now a timeless classic not only about life but also about art and creation.”
“Let’s Get Lost” is due to hit French theaters in summer 2024.
“The Host,” meanwhile, premiered earlier this year in France with a special screening, along with the Oscar-winning “Parasite,” and master class by Bong at Paris’ famed Grand Rex theater and also unspooled at the Institut Lumière in Lyon as part of a Bong retrospective.
- 10/18/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
For veteran Korean director Kim Ji-woon, his latest feature Cobweb was an exploration into the aesthetics and meaning of cinema. A satire about a film director who is convinced that a reshoot of his film’s ending could make it a masterpiece, the film delves into the beauty of cinema and the emotional journey of those who work behind the camera and in front of it.
“The pandemic got me thinking a lot about filmmaking,” Kim said at a special talk session held during the Busan International Film Festival on Saturday, where Cobweb‘s main actors, including Song Kang-ho (Parasite) and Im Soo-jeong (A Tale of Two Sisters) also participated. “Cobweb got me thinking a lot about the moments when I first fell in love with cinema and dreamt of filmmaking — which changed everything for me.”
The film, which originally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May and was released locally last week,...
“The pandemic got me thinking a lot about filmmaking,” Kim said at a special talk session held during the Busan International Film Festival on Saturday, where Cobweb‘s main actors, including Song Kang-ho (Parasite) and Im Soo-jeong (A Tale of Two Sisters) also participated. “Cobweb got me thinking a lot about the moments when I first fell in love with cinema and dreamt of filmmaking — which changed everything for me.”
The film, which originally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May and was released locally last week,...
- 10/11/2023
- by Soomee Park
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kim Jee-woon’s black comedy “Cobweb,” which debuted this year at Cannes, is set for a U.S. theatrical release in early 2024. Rights to the picture were licensed by distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films from Korea-based sales agent Barunson E&a.
The 1970s-set film within a film stars Song Kong-ho, star of Oscar-winning “Parasite” and 2022 winner of the best actor award at Cannes for his role in Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Broker.”
Song appears as obsessive film director Kim, who is seized by the desire to re-shoot the ending of his completed film “Cobweb” in two days to create a masterpiece. Chaos lurks around every corner, from his confused and uncooperative cast and crew to interference from the then all-powerful censorship authorities.
Following its premiere at Cannes in May, the Anthology Studios-produced “Cobweb” will play at fall festivals including the 19th Fantastic Fest, the BFI London Film Festival and the 56th Sitges Film Festival.
The 1970s-set film within a film stars Song Kong-ho, star of Oscar-winning “Parasite” and 2022 winner of the best actor award at Cannes for his role in Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Broker.”
Song appears as obsessive film director Kim, who is seized by the desire to re-shoot the ending of his completed film “Cobweb” in two days to create a masterpiece. Chaos lurks around every corner, from his confused and uncooperative cast and crew to interference from the then all-powerful censorship authorities.
Following its premiere at Cannes in May, the Anthology Studios-produced “Cobweb” will play at fall festivals including the 19th Fantastic Fest, the BFI London Film Festival and the 56th Sitges Film Festival.
- 9/7/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired U.S. rights to Korean filmmaker Kim Jee-woon’s Cobweb, starring Song Kang-ho, which had its world premiere Out Of Competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Barunson E&a is handling international sales on the film, which has also been sold to most of the rest of the world, including Japan (Happinet Phantom Studio), France, Germany & Italy (Plaion Pictures), Spain (La Aventura) and Australia & New Zealand (Umbrella Entertainment).
Set in 1970s Korea, when censors could dictate the plot of a film, Cobweb stars Song as an obsessive director who wants to re-shoot the ending of his completed film ‘Cobweb’ in two days to create a masterpiece. In the process he must contend with an uncooperative cast and crew, as well as interference from the censorship authorities.
Song starred in Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite and won...
Barunson E&a is handling international sales on the film, which has also been sold to most of the rest of the world, including Japan (Happinet Phantom Studio), France, Germany & Italy (Plaion Pictures), Spain (La Aventura) and Australia & New Zealand (Umbrella Entertainment).
Set in 1970s Korea, when censors could dictate the plot of a film, Cobweb stars Song as an obsessive director who wants to re-shoot the ending of his completed film ‘Cobweb’ in two days to create a masterpiece. In the process he must contend with an uncooperative cast and crew, as well as interference from the censorship authorities.
Song starred in Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite and won...
- 9/7/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
by Bastian Meiresonne
“Cobweb”, Kim Jee-woon's tenth feature film, marks the director's return to comedy for the first time since the beginning of his career. This satire on the film industry is a true cinematic layer cake: one can dig into it with hearty bites for the sheer pleasure of the visual feast, or one can peel it apart, layer by layer, to unveil a fascinating portrayal of the dark period of Korean history in the 1970s and a profound introspection by the director on creativity and the filmmaking profession.
Kim Jee-woon began his career in the 1990s as an actor and a theater director before directing his debut feature film, “The Quiet Family”, in 1998. He is part of a new generation of filmmakers, along with Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook, who no longer followed the traditional apprenticeship model of old studios, but are authentic cinephiles who came to cinema out of pure passion.
“Cobweb”, Kim Jee-woon's tenth feature film, marks the director's return to comedy for the first time since the beginning of his career. This satire on the film industry is a true cinematic layer cake: one can dig into it with hearty bites for the sheer pleasure of the visual feast, or one can peel it apart, layer by layer, to unveil a fascinating portrayal of the dark period of Korean history in the 1970s and a profound introspection by the director on creativity and the filmmaking profession.
Kim Jee-woon began his career in the 1990s as an actor and a theater director before directing his debut feature film, “The Quiet Family”, in 1998. He is part of a new generation of filmmakers, along with Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook, who no longer followed the traditional apprenticeship model of old studios, but are authentic cinephiles who came to cinema out of pure passion.
- 8/31/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
Fest runs September 7-17.
Pedro Almodóvar, Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun, and Andy Lau will take part in the TIFF In Conversation With… series of on-stage talks next month.
“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel transformation,” said Anita Lee, TIFF chief programming officer. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse line-up of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”
Almodóvar will present the North American premiere of his short film Strange Way Of Life starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal. His credits include All About My Mother,...
Pedro Almodóvar, Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun, and Andy Lau will take part in the TIFF In Conversation With… series of on-stage talks next month.
“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel transformation,” said Anita Lee, TIFF chief programming officer. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse line-up of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”
Almodóvar will present the North American premiere of his short film Strange Way Of Life starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal. His credits include All About My Mother,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Toronto International Film Festival has announced the participants for this year’s “In Conversation With…” series, including headliners Pedro Almodóvar, Andy Lau and Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun.
“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel transformation,” said TIFF Chief Programming Officer Anita Lee. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse lineup of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”
The 2023 lineup represents a global and diverse gathering which will weave together unique perspectives that contribute to shaping the global entertainment landscape.
Almodóvar will receive this year’s Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media at the TIFF Tribute Awards. The Oscar-winning director of “All About My Mother,” “Talk to Her” and “Pain and Glory” will present the North American premiere of his short feature “Strange Way of Life.” The western romance, starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal,...
“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel transformation,” said TIFF Chief Programming Officer Anita Lee. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse lineup of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”
The 2023 lineup represents a global and diverse gathering which will weave together unique perspectives that contribute to shaping the global entertainment landscape.
Almodóvar will receive this year’s Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media at the TIFF Tribute Awards. The Oscar-winning director of “All About My Mother,” “Talk to Her” and “Pain and Glory” will present the North American premiere of his short feature “Strange Way of Life.” The western romance, starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
TIFF has begun announcing their Conversation With… (Icw) series for this year’s fest with Oscar winner Pedro Almodóvar, Hong Kong actor Andy Lau and Concrete Utopia Korean stars Lee Byung-hun and Park
Seo-jun set to sit down for chats.
“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel
transformation,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse lineup of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”
Almodóvar is already set to receive TIFF’s Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media this year at the fest’s Tribute Awards. His short, Strange Way of Life, which played at Cannes, will also make its North American premiere at TIFF. Short follows the relationship between a sheriff (Ethan Hawke) and a rancher
(Pedro Pascal) and their shared past.
Concrete Utopia stars...
Seo-jun set to sit down for chats.
“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel
transformation,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse lineup of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”
Almodóvar is already set to receive TIFF’s Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media this year at the fest’s Tribute Awards. His short, Strange Way of Life, which played at Cannes, will also make its North American premiere at TIFF. Short follows the relationship between a sheriff (Ethan Hawke) and a rancher
(Pedro Pascal) and their shared past.
Concrete Utopia stars...
- 8/11/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
As we have mentioned many times before, one of the main reasons for the international popularity Korean cinema is enjoying at the moment is the quality of a number of action/crime thrillers that came out mostly during the 00s. As the popularity (and the quality) of local cinema has decreased during the last few years, and probably in an effort to earn back some of the losses the pandemic brought, a number of production companies are turning to the genre once more. The results, however, vary, while reaching the level of masterpieces like “I Saw the Devil” and “The Chaser” does not seem doable at the moment, with the consequences of political correctness definitely not helping in that regard. Regardless, Son Seung-hyun tries his hand on the category through a low budget effort that has both its merits and its issues.
Bodyguard comes to digital/VOD on July 11th,...
Bodyguard comes to digital/VOD on July 11th,...
- 6/27/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korean director, writer and producer Kim Jee-woon has signed with CAA for representation.
Kim’s latest film, “Cobweb,” will premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, his third film to do so following “A Bittersweet Life” in 2005 and “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” in 2008, which also debuted out of competition.
“Cobweb” is the first project from Kim’s production company, Anthology Studios, which he co-founded in 2021 with producer Jay Choi (who was previously local production head for Warner Bros. Korea) and actor Song Kang-Ho. When the project was announced in 2021, Kim described the film as “experimental” and said that it will be shot entirely on sound stages in support of a film-within-a-film narrative.
Song stars in the film, playing an obsessive director on a mission to reshoot the end of his latest film, also titled “Cobweb,” in two days to create a masterpiece. His attempts are constantly...
Kim’s latest film, “Cobweb,” will premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, his third film to do so following “A Bittersweet Life” in 2005 and “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” in 2008, which also debuted out of competition.
“Cobweb” is the first project from Kim’s production company, Anthology Studios, which he co-founded in 2021 with producer Jay Choi (who was previously local production head for Warner Bros. Korea) and actor Song Kang-Ho. When the project was announced in 2021, Kim described the film as “experimental” and said that it will be shot entirely on sound stages in support of a film-within-a-film narrative.
Song stars in the film, playing an obsessive director on a mission to reshoot the end of his latest film, also titled “Cobweb,” in two days to create a masterpiece. His attempts are constantly...
- 4/24/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Oh Dal-soo began his acting career in theater in Busan, and since 2001 has been the head of theater company Singiru Manhwagyeong (“Mirage and Kaleidoscope”). His rich experience on the stage, in local productions such as Ogu, later made Oh an in-demand supporting/character actor on the big screen, with him having appeared in a number of the most renowned films the country produced that last two decades, including “Old Boy”, ” A Bittersweet Life”, “The Host”, “The Thieves”, “Veteran” ” Along with the Gods” and many others. Following sexual harassment allegations in 2018, he withdraw from the industry for some years, before returning to acting in 2021 with the independent “The Blacklist” after the investigation concluded with him not being put in trial.
On the occasion of the release of “The Blacklist” by Echelon Studios, Oh Dal-soo answered some questions regarding his character in the movie, his cooperation with the director, choosing the particular role,...
On the occasion of the release of “The Blacklist” by Echelon Studios, Oh Dal-soo answered some questions regarding his character in the movie, his cooperation with the director, choosing the particular role,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Kevin MacDonald Strikes Factual Deal With Workerbee
Oscar-winning director and producer Kevin Macdonald has struck a multi-project creative partnership with the Workerbee Group. Macdonald, whose credits include “One Day in September,” “Touching the Void” and “Marley,” is executive producing a major feature documentary for a streaming platform as the first element of his two-year Workerbee deal. Details are yet to be announced of the film or the other premium factual projects which are expected to include those he directs and executive produces.
Manchester-based Workerbee recent credits including “Janet” for Lifetime and A&e, “Bruno Vs Tyson” (Sky), “The Bridge” for Channel 4 and HBO Max, “Peter Crouch: Save Our Beautiful Game” for Discovery and “Idris Elba’s Fight School” for BBC Two.
The company has recently been revamped into a clear films and formats divisional structure. The Macdonald deal is the first creative partnership to be announced by the newly formed Workerbee Group,...
Oscar-winning director and producer Kevin Macdonald has struck a multi-project creative partnership with the Workerbee Group. Macdonald, whose credits include “One Day in September,” “Touching the Void” and “Marley,” is executive producing a major feature documentary for a streaming platform as the first element of his two-year Workerbee deal. Details are yet to be announced of the film or the other premium factual projects which are expected to include those he directs and executive produces.
Manchester-based Workerbee recent credits including “Janet” for Lifetime and A&e, “Bruno Vs Tyson” (Sky), “The Bridge” for Channel 4 and HBO Max, “Peter Crouch: Save Our Beautiful Game” for Discovery and “Idris Elba’s Fight School” for BBC Two.
The company has recently been revamped into a clear films and formats divisional structure. The Macdonald deal is the first creative partnership to be announced by the newly formed Workerbee Group,...
- 2/8/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Korea’s Barunson E&a, the production company behind Oscar-winning drama Parasite, is launching international sales on Kim Jee-woon’s Cobweb, starring Song Kang-Ho, at the upcoming European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin.
The star-studded black comedy drama is the fifth on-screen collaboration between Song and director Kim, whose credits include gritty noir A Bittersweet Life (2005), revenge thriller I Saw The Devil (2010), ‘Kimchi’ western The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008), period spy action The Age Of Shadows (2016), and recent AppleTV+ series Dr. Brain (2021).
Set in the 1970s, an era in which censors dictated the shape of a film’s plot, Cobweb stars Song as an obsessive director on a mission to reshoot the end of his latest film, Cobweb, in two days to create a masterpiece. His attempts are constantly thwarted by the censors and his confused and uncooperative cast and crew.
In addition to Song, the star-studded ensemble cast includes Im Soo-jung,...
The star-studded black comedy drama is the fifth on-screen collaboration between Song and director Kim, whose credits include gritty noir A Bittersweet Life (2005), revenge thriller I Saw The Devil (2010), ‘Kimchi’ western The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008), period spy action The Age Of Shadows (2016), and recent AppleTV+ series Dr. Brain (2021).
Set in the 1970s, an era in which censors dictated the shape of a film’s plot, Cobweb stars Song as an obsessive director on a mission to reshoot the end of his latest film, Cobweb, in two days to create a masterpiece. His attempts are constantly thwarted by the censors and his confused and uncooperative cast and crew.
In addition to Song, the star-studded ensemble cast includes Im Soo-jung,...
- 2/6/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The prevalence of Korean projects heading to the U.S. continues.
Jee-Woon Kim, one of South Korea’s most lauded directors, has teamed with Star Trek: Discovery writers Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt to develop a new series about a Korean family immigrating to the U.S.
The trio are developing the untitled project with eOne, the studio behind series such as Showtime’s Yellowjackets and ABC’s The Rookie franchise.
Jee-Woon Kim will direct the project. He is behind Korean films such as I Saw The Devil, A Bittersweet Life, The Good, The Bad & The Weird, and A Tale of Two Sisters. He also directed and exec produced Apple series Dr. Brain, which was the streamer’s first Korean original. He will also exec produce this series.
Bo Yeon Kim and Lippoldt will write the pilot and serve as showrunners for the series. The writing partners served...
Jee-Woon Kim, one of South Korea’s most lauded directors, has teamed with Star Trek: Discovery writers Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt to develop a new series about a Korean family immigrating to the U.S.
The trio are developing the untitled project with eOne, the studio behind series such as Showtime’s Yellowjackets and ABC’s The Rookie franchise.
Jee-Woon Kim will direct the project. He is behind Korean films such as I Saw The Devil, A Bittersweet Life, The Good, The Bad & The Weird, and A Tale of Two Sisters. He also directed and exec produced Apple series Dr. Brain, which was the streamer’s first Korean original. He will also exec produce this series.
Bo Yeon Kim and Lippoldt will write the pilot and serve as showrunners for the series. The writing partners served...
- 9/16/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran producer has signed up for three years.
In South Korea, Gangneung International Film Festival (Giff) has appointed veteran producer Oh Jung-wan its new festival director.
Her three-year term is effective from today (April 12) and will run until March 2025.
An important figure in the renaissance of Korean cinema in the 1990s, Oh’s early executive producer credits include seminal films such as The Marriage Life (1992), The Gingko Bed (1996) and An Affair (1998).
She founded Bom Film Productions in 1999 and went on to produce titles such as Kim Jee-woon’s The Foul King (2000), A Tale Of Two Sisters (2003) and A Bittersweet Life...
In South Korea, Gangneung International Film Festival (Giff) has appointed veteran producer Oh Jung-wan its new festival director.
Her three-year term is effective from today (April 12) and will run until March 2025.
An important figure in the renaissance of Korean cinema in the 1990s, Oh’s early executive producer credits include seminal films such as The Marriage Life (1992), The Gingko Bed (1996) and An Affair (1998).
She founded Bom Film Productions in 1999 and went on to produce titles such as Kim Jee-woon’s The Foul King (2000), A Tale Of Two Sisters (2003) and A Bittersweet Life...
- 4/12/2022
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
"I think the director's thoughts, feelings, colors, and smells exist in every scene." There's a new "Director's Vision" featurette out for their sci-fi thriller series Dr. Brain, which is already playing now on Apple TV+. It spends time with acclaimed Korean filmmaker Kim Jee-woon discussing working on this. Dr. Brain is an emotional journey following a brain scientist who's obsessive about figuring out new technologies to access the consciousness and memories of the brain. His life goes sideways when his family falls victim to a mysterious accident, and he uses his skills to access memories from his wife's brain to piece together the mystery of what actually happened to his family and why. The series stars Lee Sun-kyun, Lee You-young, Park Hee-soon, Seo Ji-hye, & Lee Jae-won. I'm already a big fan of ...
- 11/12/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"His memories went straight inside you?" Whoa this looks trippy. Apple has unveiled an official trailer for a sci-fi thriller series titled Dr. Brain, which is debuting in just a few weeks (Nov 4th) on Apple TV+. A surprise series?! Yes, please! Directed by the visionary filmmaker Kim Jee-woon, starring Lee Sun-kyun. "Get ready for a mind-bending journey with a genius neuroscientist who navigates through other people's memories in search of the truth." The series is an emotional journey that follows a brain scientist who is obsessive about figuring out new technologies to access the consciousness and memories of the brain. His life goes sideways when his family falls victim to a mysterious accident, and he uses his skills to access memories from his wife's brain to piece together the mystery of what actually happened to his ...
- 10/25/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Tense and gripping, “The Man Standing Next” is a powerful political thriller from director Woo Min-ho (“The Drug King”) and starring Lee Byung-hun, which charts one of the most shocking incidents in South Korea’s turbulent history.
It is 1979, and South Korea has been under the absolute domination of President Park’s dictatorship for 18 long years. Kim Gyu-pyeong (Lee Byung-hun), the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (Kcia), has asserted his loyalty to the president despite having his doubts about the leader’s intentions. When the former director of the Kcia flees to America with a time-bomb of government secrets, Kim is sent on a mission to stop the truth in its tracks.
As the government’s web of lies continues to be spun, tensions build, alliances crumble, and the once impenetrable leadership must face the fact that all men, no matter how powerful, must die…
The South Korean nomination for the 2021 Academy Awards,...
It is 1979, and South Korea has been under the absolute domination of President Park’s dictatorship for 18 long years. Kim Gyu-pyeong (Lee Byung-hun), the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (Kcia), has asserted his loyalty to the president despite having his doubts about the leader’s intentions. When the former director of the Kcia flees to America with a time-bomb of government secrets, Kim is sent on a mission to stop the truth in its tracks.
As the government’s web of lies continues to be spun, tensions build, alliances crumble, and the once impenetrable leadership must face the fact that all men, no matter how powerful, must die…
The South Korean nomination for the 2021 Academy Awards,...
- 5/29/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Arrow Video’s August films include a brilliantly original American indie comedy, a pair of out-there arthouse masterworks, a rediscovered 70s horror creepfest, a terrifying Korean ghost story, and definitive, collectable editions of an awe-inspiring science fiction blockbuster.
The releases will come in limited edition packaging, with beautiful new artwork, pristine restorations giving the films a new lease of life, brand new expert commentaries and feature-length documentaries,reversible sleeves, as well as goodies including fold-out posters, art cards, books and illustrated booklets.
First in August, Arrow Video presents the mind-blowing ‘acid-western’ El Topo, which shocked and bedazzled audiences upon its controversial original release, single-handedly inventing the American midnight movie phenomenon. A countercultural masterpiece which ingeniously combines iconic Americana symbolism with director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s own idiosyncratic surrealist aesthetic, El Topo is an incredible journey through nightmarish violence, mind-bending mysticism and awe-inspiring imagery. This era-defining film is now presented in a...
The releases will come in limited edition packaging, with beautiful new artwork, pristine restorations giving the films a new lease of life, brand new expert commentaries and feature-length documentaries,reversible sleeves, as well as goodies including fold-out posters, art cards, books and illustrated booklets.
First in August, Arrow Video presents the mind-blowing ‘acid-western’ El Topo, which shocked and bedazzled audiences upon its controversial original release, single-handedly inventing the American midnight movie phenomenon. A countercultural masterpiece which ingeniously combines iconic Americana symbolism with director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s own idiosyncratic surrealist aesthetic, El Topo is an incredible journey through nightmarish violence, mind-bending mysticism and awe-inspiring imagery. This era-defining film is now presented in a...
- 5/28/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
If you’re at all familiar with Korean revenge stories then you’ll know one thing is 99 out of 100 times an absolute certainty: that it will not end well for anyone involved. In the worlds of “The Vengeance Trilogy”, “I Am The Devil”, “A Bittersweet Life”, “The Villainess”, revenge is a merciless loop that always finds a way to complete its circuit, more often than not leaving a trail of death and broken souls in the process. This is what makes Korean revenge so endlessly interesting, watching filmmakers twist and play with the concept in ever-deeper, ever-visceral ways. With “Pieta”, Kim Ki-duk definitely takes influence from Park Chan-wook’s now-iconic bloody three-film revenge extravaganza, but also makes it his own by channeling the cross between disturbing and poetic that became somewhat of an expertise of his. His 18th film, “Pieta” was the first Korean film to take home the coveted...
- 4/20/2021
- by Luke Georgiades
- AsianMoviePulse
In 2005 and 2010, respectively, South Korean director Kim Jee-woon released arguably his most acclaimed and long-lasting works to date: “A Bittersweet Life” and “I Saw The Devil”, two dark and bleak meditations on isolation, mortality, and the grim pointlessness of revenge. It’s quite amazing, then, that sandwiched between these two hyper-violent and distressing thrillers is “The Good, The Bad, The Weird” the filmmaker’s action-comedy love letter to the glorious era of the spaghetti western, and somewhat of a direct homage to, of course, Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”. While missing from many international “best of Korean cinema” lists, this 2008 entry in Jee-woon’s oeuvre was a commercial hit, reaching the top 50 of the highest-grossing movies of all time in South Korea (44.4 million US dollars worldwide) and earning the cast and crew a whole host of nominations on the International and Asian festival circuit, as...
- 4/19/2021
- by Luke Georgiades
- AsianMoviePulse
A muscular and unflinching Korean filmmaker with a flair for operatic ultra-violence, Park Hoon-jung does at least one thing better than anyone else on the planet: Shoot legions of suit-wearing gangsters beating the absolute shit out of each other. After scripting 2010’s “I Saw the Devil” and pioneering his particular brand of Musou-inspired mayhem as the director of “The Showdown” the next year, Park came into his own with 2013’s “New World,” a bruising and brilliant mob epic that spends much of its 134-minute run time stuffing Armani-slick henchmen into confined spaces with the chaotic energy of a child pouring a gallon of milk into a teacup. It’s as if someone took the infamous hallway fight from “Oldboy” and stretched it into a crime saga worthy of comparison to “Goodfellas.”
“Night in Paradise” doesn’t play against Park’s strengths — this is, at heart, — but it doesn’t want to rely on them either.
“Night in Paradise” doesn’t play against Park’s strengths — this is, at heart, — but it doesn’t want to rely on them either.
- 4/9/2021
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Within the landscape of the Korean film industry, director Kim Jee-woon can look back not only on a very successful career, but also one defined by versatility and creativity, evident in his work in many different genres. Even his first feature “The Quiet Family”, which inspired Takashi Miike’s “Happiness of the Katakuris” to some extent, indicated that while obeying certain genre rules, Kim was willing to bend these and also mix them with other storylines, thus surprising his viewer with unforeseen developments and plot twists, making his features unique to this day. Additionally, many of his films, such as “A Bittersweet Life” and “I Saw the Devil” showed the director’s roots, since he began his career in the theater, as expressed in the staging of scenes and the definition of his characters who, more than once, remind us of tragic heroes. All of these concepts can be seen...
- 4/2/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
A Korean space opera with a large budget and a star-studded cast. Possibly the first of its kind, it’s hard for it to live up to its hype. Despite the film not being perfect, it’s still a big step for Korean cinema to branch out, and try new things.
“Space Sweepers” revolves around the crew of ‘Victory’, a notorious space-junk collector ship in 2092. Earth is becoming uninhabitable, and humans are quick to ruin space next. The crew is down on their luck, need money, and need it fast. It is then rather convenient that such a solution falls into their laps, a humanoid robot girl, wanted by police as well as terrorists. Before long, it turns into a story about putting others above yourself or saving yourself.
The production ends up being a little cheesy, yet charming. Fun, but in the large scope of science-fiction films, middle-of-the-road. This...
“Space Sweepers” revolves around the crew of ‘Victory’, a notorious space-junk collector ship in 2092. Earth is becoming uninhabitable, and humans are quick to ruin space next. The crew is down on their luck, need money, and need it fast. It is then rather convenient that such a solution falls into their laps, a humanoid robot girl, wanted by police as well as terrorists. Before long, it turns into a story about putting others above yourself or saving yourself.
The production ends up being a little cheesy, yet charming. Fun, but in the large scope of science-fiction films, middle-of-the-road. This...
- 2/9/2021
- by Reinier Brands
- AsianMoviePulse
It may feel slightly strange that a director credited with blockbuster hits such as “A Bittersweet Life“, “I Saw The Devil” and “The Age of Shadows” would find himself directing a short revolving around the lost love of a young adult, but that is exactly where Kim Jee-woon finds himself. Far more tempered and restrained than his previous works, it is a welcome change of pace from Kim’s other directorial efforts, in turn excelling through its punchy pacing and accessible, vulnerable storytelling.
Predominantly, the narrative revolves around the recipient of the abrupt ending of a youthful relationship, Su-ji (Bae Suzy), as she navigates her way through life in the early stages of being dumped. Heartbroken, shocked, bitter, yet also optimistic, the post-adolescent seeks to reclaim an earned independence through the ten-minute feature, taking back her belongings from her ex-beau with a defined gravitas. However, as is the way with heartbreak,...
Predominantly, the narrative revolves around the recipient of the abrupt ending of a youthful relationship, Su-ji (Bae Suzy), as she navigates her way through life in the early stages of being dumped. Heartbroken, shocked, bitter, yet also optimistic, the post-adolescent seeks to reclaim an earned independence through the ten-minute feature, taking back her belongings from her ex-beau with a defined gravitas. However, as is the way with heartbreak,...
- 1/11/2021
- by Nathan Sartain
- AsianMoviePulse
Film Society of Ahmedabad (Fsa) is all set to have its inaugural meet and the first film to screen will be Kim Jee-woon’s 2005 neo-noir gangster saga “A Bittersweet Life”.
Date: Saturday, December 12th, 2020
Venue: New Fangled Miniplex, Block-o, Safal Mondeal Retail Park, Besides Iscon Mega Mall, Sg Highway.
Time: 4:00pm
Entry is limited, but this screening is free-of-cost.
Fsa are working with the venue to ensure that all safety precautions are taken and that the government-mandated My Safety Guidelines are strictly followed. The venue, New Fangled Miniplex, is already a small, intimate establishment and they will be operating at a further 50% reduced capacity only.
So please rest assured and if you would like to enjoy a genuine modern classic on the big screen, join Film Society of Ahmedabad this Saturday, December 12th, at 4pm.
Date: Saturday, December 12th, 2020
Venue: New Fangled Miniplex, Block-o, Safal Mondeal Retail Park, Besides Iscon Mega Mall, Sg Highway.
Time: 4:00pm
Entry is limited, but this screening is free-of-cost.
Fsa are working with the venue to ensure that all safety precautions are taken and that the government-mandated My Safety Guidelines are strictly followed. The venue, New Fangled Miniplex, is already a small, intimate establishment and they will be operating at a further 50% reduced capacity only.
So please rest assured and if you would like to enjoy a genuine modern classic on the big screen, join Film Society of Ahmedabad this Saturday, December 12th, at 4pm.
- 12/9/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
As we have also started to deal with Asian music in Asian Movie Pulse lately, a list that features movie soundtracks was a must. In the entries that follow, we have collected 50 films’ scores that have stayed in our minds and have made us happy, sad, or simply to enjoy ourselves while listening to them. From anime to musicals, from cult to art-house and from dramas to comedies, here is a list with 50 works that define the movies they were included at least as much as their visuals.
*Some movies never had their soundtracks released but we felt that the songs included deserve a mention here. By clicking on the titles you can read our reviews of the films, by clicking on the song titles you can listen the tracks from YouTube.
1. 9 Souls
Dip create intense background music that follows rock and alternative paths, with each of the tracks pointing...
*Some movies never had their soundtracks released but we felt that the songs included deserve a mention here. By clicking on the titles you can read our reviews of the films, by clicking on the song titles you can listen the tracks from YouTube.
1. 9 Souls
Dip create intense background music that follows rock and alternative paths, with each of the tracks pointing...
- 8/25/2020
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
It’s been six years since Shin Min-ah (“A Bittersweet Life”) was last seen on the big screen, having taken some time off work to take care of Kim Woo-bin as he recovered from nasal cancer. While she has been in a couple k-dramas since, she makes her comeback in films with debutante director Jo Seul-ye’s psychological thriller “Diva”.
Synopsis
Skill, beauty, personality, ‘Diving Diva’ Yi-yeong has it all. Not being able to be with her best friend Soo-jin is the only thing that gets in her way. Just so she can help Soo-jin out, she changes her event to synchronizing swimming. While pouring everything to Olympics selection practice, Soo-jin and Yi-yeong are involved in a freak accident. Soo-jin disappears without a trace, while Yi-yeong survives but loses her memory. Her memory slowly comes back to her but remembers strange side of Soo-jin. Her iron will begins to shake on the diving board.
Synopsis
Skill, beauty, personality, ‘Diving Diva’ Yi-yeong has it all. Not being able to be with her best friend Soo-jin is the only thing that gets in her way. Just so she can help Soo-jin out, she changes her event to synchronizing swimming. While pouring everything to Olympics selection practice, Soo-jin and Yi-yeong are involved in a freak accident. Soo-jin disappears without a trace, while Yi-yeong survives but loses her memory. Her memory slowly comes back to her but remembers strange side of Soo-jin. Her iron will begins to shake on the diving board.
- 8/10/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
“Parasite” star Song Kang-ho will head the cast of airborne disaster action move “Emergency Declaration.” Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Byung-hun co-star, making “Declaration” one of the powerful casts ever assembled in a Korean movie.
The film is in pre-production and aiming for an end-of-year release. Leading studio Showbox will begin pre-sales during this week’s European Film Market.
Showbox pitches it as ”an airborne blockbuster about an aircraft forced to declare an emergency when an unprecedented terror incident occurs in-flight.” It is to be directed by Han Jae-rim, who previously enjoyed success with “The King” and the Song-starring 2013 drama “The Face Reader.”
Jeon won a best actor award at Cannes in 2007 for “Secret Sunshine,” and has other credits that include “Untold Scandal” and “The Housemaid.” Lee is one of Korea’s finest thespians and a rarity who has managed to build a career on both sides of the Pacific. His...
The film is in pre-production and aiming for an end-of-year release. Leading studio Showbox will begin pre-sales during this week’s European Film Market.
Showbox pitches it as ”an airborne blockbuster about an aircraft forced to declare an emergency when an unprecedented terror incident occurs in-flight.” It is to be directed by Han Jae-rim, who previously enjoyed success with “The King” and the Song-starring 2013 drama “The Face Reader.”
Jeon won a best actor award at Cannes in 2007 for “Secret Sunshine,” and has other credits that include “Untold Scandal” and “The Housemaid.” Lee is one of Korea’s finest thespians and a rarity who has managed to build a career on both sides of the Pacific. His...
- 2/21/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The gangster noir genre has give Korean cinema many great films. Hoping to join the ranks of such classics as “A Bittersweet Life“, “New World” and “A Dirty Carnival“, among others, is director Song Chang-yong’s latest film “Unalterable”.
Synopsis
Kwon Sang-gon is a gangster who wants to have a cool life. He becomes a gang boss and expects to reap the rewards of the top position. Kwon Sang-Gon soon realizes his life is a living hell, filled with conspiracies and betrayals.
While the director, who has so far made three film that’ve sunk into oblivion without making a dent, and the star-cast, led by Chun Jung-myung (“Hansel and Gretel“) and other actors that have very few films to their name, don’t necessarily build confidence on the film’s quality, the trailer does boast of a stylish looking noir gangster film which should be on the radar of genre fans.
Synopsis
Kwon Sang-gon is a gangster who wants to have a cool life. He becomes a gang boss and expects to reap the rewards of the top position. Kwon Sang-Gon soon realizes his life is a living hell, filled with conspiracies and betrayals.
While the director, who has so far made three film that’ve sunk into oblivion without making a dent, and the star-cast, led by Chun Jung-myung (“Hansel and Gretel“) and other actors that have very few films to their name, don’t necessarily build confidence on the film’s quality, the trailer does boast of a stylish looking noir gangster film which should be on the radar of genre fans.
- 10/28/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
With the Korean Film festival taking place this October, now is an opportune time to look at one of the standout movies that will be shown from one of South Korea’s foremost directors, Kim Jee-woon’s sublime thriller “A Bittersweet Life”.
“A Bittersweet Life” screened at London Korean Film Festival
Sun-woo (Lee Byung-hun) is a gangland enforcer in the employ of Mr Kang (Kim Yeong-cheol). Mr Kang, before departing on a trip, asks Sun-woo to keep an eye on his girlfriend Yoon Hee-soo (Shin Min-ah) who due to the age difference suspects may be having an affair. Should this be the case then Sun-woo is left with no uncertainty as to what would be expected of him. Sun-Woo comes into conflict with Baek Dae-sik, a rival gang member after an altercation with some henchmen in a nightclub. Sun-woo follows Hee-soo and discovers her at her apartment with her lover.
“A Bittersweet Life” screened at London Korean Film Festival
Sun-woo (Lee Byung-hun) is a gangland enforcer in the employ of Mr Kang (Kim Yeong-cheol). Mr Kang, before departing on a trip, asks Sun-woo to keep an eye on his girlfriend Yoon Hee-soo (Shin Min-ah) who due to the age difference suspects may be having an affair. Should this be the case then Sun-woo is left with no uncertainty as to what would be expected of him. Sun-Woo comes into conflict with Baek Dae-sik, a rival gang member after an altercation with some henchmen in a nightclub. Sun-woo follows Hee-soo and discovers her at her apartment with her lover.
- 10/23/2019
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Kim Jee-woon is known to be one of the most successful directors coming from South Korea. Best known for genre masterpieces like “A Bittersweet Life” and “I Saw the Devil”, among others, his last output, the anime adaptation “Illang: The Wolf Brigade” was met with a lukewarm response both commercial and critically. Never one to stay stuck to a genre or formula, he looks to bounce back to winning ways with his next project “Klaus 47”, a French-Korean co-production tv series.
Actress Lee Ha-nee, best known internationally for starring roles in the smash hit “Extreme Job” and the Choi Min-sik starring thriller “Heart Blacked“, is presently said to be considering an offer for a leading role in the series, according to her agency.
Lee Ha-nee on the set of “Heart Blackened”
“Klaus 47” is based on real events surrounding a lobbyist in the arms industry who shook up the world of French politics.
Actress Lee Ha-nee, best known internationally for starring roles in the smash hit “Extreme Job” and the Choi Min-sik starring thriller “Heart Blacked“, is presently said to be considering an offer for a leading role in the series, according to her agency.
Lee Ha-nee on the set of “Heart Blackened”
“Klaus 47” is based on real events surrounding a lobbyist in the arms industry who shook up the world of French politics.
- 8/27/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
One of the most expected productions of 2017, “The Villainess” by Jeong Byung-gil, director of “Confession of Murder”, had all the prerequisites of becoming one of the best action films of all time. Let us see if it succeeded.
“The Villainess” screened at Fantasia International Film Festival
The movie starts with an extremely impressive action scene, where we watch an unknown assailant attacking swarms of enemies in a building, butchering, maiming, breaking, kicking and punching everyone who enters the scene, in a style identical to the first-person shooters in video games. After a while, the camera is pushed back and the character is revealed to be a woman, while the video game aesthetics remain, as a third-person action this time. After the ending of this scene, and a disorienting cut including a flashback, we watch the main heroine escaping a room she was secluded in, and some seemingly surrealist scenes occur,...
“The Villainess” screened at Fantasia International Film Festival
The movie starts with an extremely impressive action scene, where we watch an unknown assailant attacking swarms of enemies in a building, butchering, maiming, breaking, kicking and punching everyone who enters the scene, in a style identical to the first-person shooters in video games. After a while, the camera is pushed back and the character is revealed to be a woman, while the video game aesthetics remain, as a third-person action this time. After the ending of this scene, and a disorienting cut including a flashback, we watch the main heroine escaping a room she was secluded in, and some seemingly surrealist scenes occur,...
- 7/10/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Even though Hollywood stubbornly remains the primary source of the majority of cinematic and media content for the global scene and marketplace, one cannot help but acknowledge the importance of other, international cinematography. Asian cinematography, for example, is not commonly associated as the main source of mass entertainment, even though it amasses millions of dollars and contributes greatly to the cultural diversity of the global movie industry. Nevertheless, people, as well as those highly associated with the industry, did not fail to recognize the exquisite, unique and completely different take Asian cinematography has when it comes to creating movies for all times. Therefore, we are now going to take a look into the most critically acclaimed movies coming from China, South Korea, and Japan.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Probably the best Chinese movie ever created, In the Mood for Love is also Wong Kar Wai’s best work. This...
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Probably the best Chinese movie ever created, In the Mood for Love is also Wong Kar Wai’s best work. This...
- 7/5/2019
- by AMP Training
- AsianMoviePulse
Last year’s action film “Revenger” saw stuntman/action co-ordinator Bruce Khan step in front of the camera for a leading role. This year, we have another stuntman and martial arts director taking the leap from behind-the-scenes to leading role with Jung Doo-hong, who stars in Ha Won-joon’s action film “Fist and Furious”.
Synopsis
A former violent detective with a knife in his head and a sneaky materialistic VJ collaborate!
Freelance VJ Gook-hyeon is a North Korean defector who is looking for news when he comes across Ki-man, a former detective who lives with a knife stuck in his head. Ki-man is living off scraps until Gook-hyeon convinces him he would help him get revenge on Jeong Tae-hwa, a drug mob boss who killed his partner.
While they track down Jeong Tae-hwa, they meet Seol-lan, who is looking for her missing sister, Song-hwa, who is Jeong Tae-hwa’s mistress.
Synopsis
A former violent detective with a knife in his head and a sneaky materialistic VJ collaborate!
Freelance VJ Gook-hyeon is a North Korean defector who is looking for news when he comes across Ki-man, a former detective who lives with a knife stuck in his head. Ki-man is living off scraps until Gook-hyeon convinces him he would help him get revenge on Jeong Tae-hwa, a drug mob boss who killed his partner.
While they track down Jeong Tae-hwa, they meet Seol-lan, who is looking for her missing sister, Song-hwa, who is Jeong Tae-hwa’s mistress.
- 6/18/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Since early age, Kristína Aschenbrennerová (1980) had planned to become a film actress like Greta Garbo. Fortunately, quite soon she realized her qualities lie elsewhere and graduated in film theory and history. She works at Slovak Film Institute/National Cinematography Centre as Slovak cinema promotion officer and event coordinator. Since 2009, she programmes, until recently with Adrián Žiška, Eastern Promises, a section of Iff Art Film Fest Košice dedicated to mainstream and genre films from East and Southeast Asia. On not that regular basis, she gets to select (Asian) or recommend shorts for Isff Brno 16, and in 2017 she proudly recommended a few fabulous films to Slovak Queer Film Festival. Occasionally writes and tries to keep a Wp blog under an alias Anomalilly. Talks a lot.
We speak with her about Eastern Promises and Art Film Fest, Asian cinema, the Slovak audience, and many more topics.
Eastern Promises is not a festival, but...
We speak with her about Eastern Promises and Art Film Fest, Asian cinema, the Slovak audience, and many more topics.
Eastern Promises is not a festival, but...
- 6/9/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’re highlighting the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and an archive of past round-ups here.
A Bittersweet Life (Kim Ji-woon)
Kim Ji-woon has always been a director interested in taking a genre and pushing it to the extreme. A Bittersweet Life, his take on the crime/revenge thriller, is an uber-slick thrill ride with a beating heart. From his camera placement in a car getaway scene to an intense weapon disassembly (and life-or-death reassembly) to a take-no-prisoners finale shoot-out, most Hollywood directors could bite the bullet and learn a great deal about pacing and execution from this South Korean action spectacle. – Jordan R.
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
BlacKkKlansman (Spike Lee)
One of the many marvels of Spike Lee’s latest is...
A Bittersweet Life (Kim Ji-woon)
Kim Ji-woon has always been a director interested in taking a genre and pushing it to the extreme. A Bittersweet Life, his take on the crime/revenge thriller, is an uber-slick thrill ride with a beating heart. From his camera placement in a car getaway scene to an intense weapon disassembly (and life-or-death reassembly) to a take-no-prisoners finale shoot-out, most Hollywood directors could bite the bullet and learn a great deal about pacing and execution from this South Korean action spectacle. – Jordan R.
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
BlacKkKlansman (Spike Lee)
One of the many marvels of Spike Lee’s latest is...
- 4/26/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The EnergaCamerimage fest’s main lineup, its competition for best cinematographer, covers a vast range of styles, and honors several fresh visual stylists along with many legends in the field.
As festival director Marek Zydowicz puts it, this year’s selection “was particularly tough because of the variety of visual means used to enhance the stories being told. I am still amazed of the number of possibilities modern equipment give to cinematographers to complete their vision without going to any compromise.”
With entries shot in monochrome and others “sparkling with color,” he says, “we have films presenting different points of view, cultures, ways of living.”
Those screening represent films gleaned from “quite a long, long list of films” by veteran cinematographers, “and the lesser known but truly beautiful artists of light and camera who astonished me with their visions.”
In addition, the fest’s traditional audience, consisting of a high...
As festival director Marek Zydowicz puts it, this year’s selection “was particularly tough because of the variety of visual means used to enhance the stories being told. I am still amazed of the number of possibilities modern equipment give to cinematographers to complete their vision without going to any compromise.”
With entries shot in monochrome and others “sparkling with color,” he says, “we have films presenting different points of view, cultures, ways of living.”
Those screening represent films gleaned from “quite a long, long list of films” by veteran cinematographers, “and the lesser known but truly beautiful artists of light and camera who astonished me with their visions.”
In addition, the fest’s traditional audience, consisting of a high...
- 11/10/2018
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
After a spate of action comedies “Champion”, “The Soul-Mate” and the upcoming “The Villagers” as well as a starring role in the fantasy adventure “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days”, Ma Dong-seok will be seeing 2018 off in style as the lead in out-and-out crime thriller “Unstoppable” by debutant director Kim Min-ho.
Synopsis
Dong-Chul and Ji-Soo are a happily married couple. Dong-Chul was once a notorious gangster, but he has since changed his ways. One day, Dong-Chul comes to home to find his house in disarray and his wife missing. Dong-Chul then receives a phone call from someone offering to pay him to give up his wife. Dong-Chul vows to save his wife.
The action thriller also stars Song Ji-hyo as Ji-soo as well as Kim Sung-oh in an important role. “Unstoppable”, whose Korean title literally translates as “Angry Bull”, is slated for a November 2018 release in South Korea.
Synopsis
Dong-Chul and Ji-Soo are a happily married couple. Dong-Chul was once a notorious gangster, but he has since changed his ways. One day, Dong-Chul comes to home to find his house in disarray and his wife missing. Dong-Chul then receives a phone call from someone offering to pay him to give up his wife. Dong-Chul vows to save his wife.
The action thriller also stars Song Ji-hyo as Ji-soo as well as Kim Sung-oh in an important role. “Unstoppable”, whose Korean title literally translates as “Angry Bull”, is slated for a November 2018 release in South Korea.
- 10/23/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Another day, another Korean crime thriller. K-Drama regular Gong Hyo-jin will be next seen in director Lee Kwon’s thriller “Door Lock”. The actress, known fondly by her fans as “Gongvely” (a play on her last name and “lovely”), has been very varied in her choice of films and mostly does films that separate her from her K-Drama roles.
Synopsis
Not much is known about the plot, but “Door Lock” tells the story of Kyung-Min, who lives lives alone in a studio apartment. One day, she finds evidence that someone broke into her apartment. A murder case takes place at her apartment.
Co-starring Kim Ye-won and Kim Sung-Oh, “Door Lock” is expected to release in South Korea in December, 2018.
Synopsis
Not much is known about the plot, but “Door Lock” tells the story of Kyung-Min, who lives lives alone in a studio apartment. One day, she finds evidence that someone broke into her apartment. A murder case takes place at her apartment.
Co-starring Kim Ye-won and Kim Sung-Oh, “Door Lock” is expected to release in South Korea in December, 2018.
- 10/21/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korean director Kim Jee-woon received the Arts and Letters Officer’s decoration for his contribution to the arts at the French Night party on Oct. 6, during the Busan International Film Festival.
Best-known for his Korean Western “The Good, the Bad, the Weird,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, Kim launched his career with 1998 feature “The Quiet Family,” and continued with 2000’s “The Foul King,” 2003 horror drama “A Tale of Two Sisters,” 2005’s “A Bittersweet Life” and two Warner Bros. Korea releases — 2016’s “The Age of Shadows” and 2018’s “Illang: The Wolf Brigade.” “Illang” is screening at Busan’t Korean Cinema Today — Panorama section. In 2013, Kim made his U.S. directorial debut with Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring “The Last Stand.”
While much has been written about Kim, here are some things that might have been overlooked:
Kim started his career as a stage director and actor. He had a...
Best-known for his Korean Western “The Good, the Bad, the Weird,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, Kim launched his career with 1998 feature “The Quiet Family,” and continued with 2000’s “The Foul King,” 2003 horror drama “A Tale of Two Sisters,” 2005’s “A Bittersweet Life” and two Warner Bros. Korea releases — 2016’s “The Age of Shadows” and 2018’s “Illang: The Wolf Brigade.” “Illang” is screening at Busan’t Korean Cinema Today — Panorama section. In 2013, Kim made his U.S. directorial debut with Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring “The Last Stand.”
While much has been written about Kim, here are some things that might have been overlooked:
Kim started his career as a stage director and actor. He had a...
- 10/6/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
’Feature debut of Jo Seul-yeah stars Shin Min-a and Lee You-young.
South Korean sales agent Finecut has picked up international rights to mystery thriller Diva, starring Shin Min-a (A Bittersweet Life) and Lee You-young (Yourself And Yours).
The company is also selling two official Busan International Film Festival (Biff) selections set for world premieres here – Second Life and Nailed – along with comedy Too Hot To Die, which is screening as a market premiere in the Asian Film Market.
Diva, the feature debut of director Jo Seul-yeah, revolves around iron-willed Lee-young (played by Shin), a beautiful, successful and driven “diving diva...
South Korean sales agent Finecut has picked up international rights to mystery thriller Diva, starring Shin Min-a (A Bittersweet Life) and Lee You-young (Yourself And Yours).
The company is also selling two official Busan International Film Festival (Biff) selections set for world premieres here – Second Life and Nailed – along with comedy Too Hot To Die, which is screening as a market premiere in the Asian Film Market.
Diva, the feature debut of director Jo Seul-yeah, revolves around iron-willed Lee-young (played by Shin), a beautiful, successful and driven “diving diva...
- 10/6/2018
- ScreenDaily
’Feature debut of Jo Seul-yeah stars Shin Min-a and Lee You-young.
South Korean sales agent Finecut has picked up international rights to mystery thriller Diva, starring Shin Min-a (A Bittersweet Life) and Lee You-young (Yourself And Yours).
The company is also selling two official Busan International Film Festival (Biff) selections set for world premieres here – Second Life and Nailed – along with comedy Too Hot To Die, which is screening as a market premiere in the Asian Film Market.
Diva, the feature debut of director Jo Seul-yeah, revolves around iron-willed Lee-young (played by Shin), a beautiful, successful and driven “diving diva...
South Korean sales agent Finecut has picked up international rights to mystery thriller Diva, starring Shin Min-a (A Bittersweet Life) and Lee You-young (Yourself And Yours).
The company is also selling two official Busan International Film Festival (Biff) selections set for world premieres here – Second Life and Nailed – along with comedy Too Hot To Die, which is screening as a market premiere in the Asian Film Market.
Diva, the feature debut of director Jo Seul-yeah, revolves around iron-willed Lee-young (played by Shin), a beautiful, successful and driven “diving diva...
- 10/6/2018
- ScreenDaily
Son Of Shaft, A Bittersweet Life, Maniac, And Other Film And TV Casting News Son of Shaft, A Bittersweet Life, Maniac, and other films and TV shows have made recent casting news. These productions come from studios based primarily in the United States. The castings are subject to change. Maniac Justin Theroux has signed onto Netflix’s upcoming [...]
Continue reading: Film & TV Casting: Son Of Shaft, A Bittersweet Life, Justin Theroux In Maniac...
Continue reading: Film & TV Casting: Son Of Shaft, A Bittersweet Life, Justin Theroux In Maniac...
- 8/18/2017
- by Reggie Peralta
- Film-Book
Michael B. Jordan is in the running for a role in Fox’s remake of the South Korean action-thriller A Bittersweet Life. If Jordan’s deal closes, he will play a mobster in the movie. Kung Fu Panda director Jennifer Yuh Nelson will helm the project.
Jordan will be seen next in Marvel’s superhero movie Black Panther, in which he re-teamed with Creed director Ryan Coogler.
In the 2005 film, Lee Byung-hun played a loyal hit man for a crime boss, who assigned him to kill his young mistress if she turned out to be having an affair with another man.
Nelson is making her live-action directorial debut with Darkest Minds for Fox.
Source: Variety...
Jordan will be seen next in Marvel’s superhero movie Black Panther, in which he re-teamed with Creed director Ryan Coogler.
In the 2005 film, Lee Byung-hun played a loyal hit man for a crime boss, who assigned him to kill his young mistress if she turned out to be having an affair with another man.
Nelson is making her live-action directorial debut with Darkest Minds for Fox.
Source: Variety...
- 8/18/2017
- by Kristian Odland
- GeekTyrant
A Bittersweet Life: Michael B. Jordan (Creed, above) will star in A Bittersweet Life. It's a remake of a Korean action thriller about a gangster whose loyalties are tested when he is ordered to kill a woman he's fallen for. Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2; Kung Fu Panda 3) will direct. [Deadline] Sunset Boulevard: Glenn Close is in "advanced talks" to star in a big-screen musical version of Sunset Boulevard. Close originated the role on stage in 1994 and recently starred again in a revival of the musical (above). It's inspired by Billy Wilder's 1950 classic drama about a faded silent film star who develops a strange relationship with a young screenwriter. [The Wrap] Mary, Queen of Scots: Our first look at Saoirse Ronan in...
Read More...
Read More...
- 8/18/2017
- by Peter Martin
- Movies.com
A Bittersweet Life: Michael B. Jordan (Creed, above) will star in A Bittersweet Life. It's a remake of a Korean action thriller about a gangster whose loyalties are tested when he is ordered to kill a woman he's fallen for. Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2; Kung Fu Panda 3) will direct. [Deadline] Sunset Boulevard: Glenn Close is in "advanced talks" to star in a big-screen musical version of Sunset Boulevard. Close originated the role on stage in 1994...
Read More
Read Comments...
Read More
Read Comments...
- 8/18/2017
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
There haven’t been a whole lot of American remakes of South Korean films, but the most high profile was easily Spike Lee‘s “Oldboy.” His take on Park Chan-wook‘s audacious thriller missed the mark, for a variety of reason, but primarily because Lee just couldn’t put his own stamp on the material the way the South Korean filmmaker did. Now, another cult favorite is gearing up for a Hollywood redo, and if history is any indication, caution is advisable.
Continue reading Michael B. Jordan To Star In ‘A Bittersweet Life’ Remake at The Playlist.
Continue reading Michael B. Jordan To Star In ‘A Bittersweet Life’ Remake at The Playlist.
- 8/18/2017
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Nick Harley Aug 18, 2017
Creed and Blank Panther star Michael B Jordan will lead the remake of A Bittersweet Life...
The 2005 Korean action-thriller A Bittersweet Life is getting an American remake courtesy of Fox, and Micheal B Jordan is attached to lead the picture. Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2) will direct.
See related Game Of Thrones season 7 episode 5 questions answered Game Of Thrones season 7 episode 4 questions answered Game Of Thrones season 7: episode 3 questions answered
The original version of the gangster film centers on a mob enforcer who is ordered to kill the mistress of his boss. After he develops for an affinity for her, he decides to spare the mistress’ life, causing dire complications in his relationship with his dangerous employer. The remake is being described as “high-concept,” “character-driven,” and having “franchise potential.” Jordan will star as the conflicted enforcer.
After directing the animated blockbusters Kung Fu Panda 2 and its sequel,...
Creed and Blank Panther star Michael B Jordan will lead the remake of A Bittersweet Life...
The 2005 Korean action-thriller A Bittersweet Life is getting an American remake courtesy of Fox, and Micheal B Jordan is attached to lead the picture. Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2) will direct.
See related Game Of Thrones season 7 episode 5 questions answered Game Of Thrones season 7 episode 4 questions answered Game Of Thrones season 7: episode 3 questions answered
The original version of the gangster film centers on a mob enforcer who is ordered to kill the mistress of his boss. After he develops for an affinity for her, he decides to spare the mistress’ life, causing dire complications in his relationship with his dangerous employer. The remake is being described as “high-concept,” “character-driven,” and having “franchise potential.” Jordan will star as the conflicted enforcer.
After directing the animated blockbusters Kung Fu Panda 2 and its sequel,...
- 8/18/2017
- Den of Geek
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.