Skip to content
The London Korean Film Festival 2011: As any movie aficionado knows, the most exciting films are coming in from all over the world right now – just check out Argentina, Mexico and Hong Kong for starters – but towards the top of anyone’s list must be Korea. So it’s with huge expectations and lip-smacking anticipation that we greet the upcoming 6th Korean Film Festival, running from 3rd to 17th November 2011 in London, but also featuring screenings in Sheffield, Newcastle and Cambridge.
You want action? Check. Comedy? Shorts? Some animation? Yes, on all counts. Historical epics? Of course. Contemplative drama? Yep. And throw in some defining works in a major retrospective of acclaimed action director Ryoo Seung-wan. Plus a clever Directrospectives strand featuring earlier works by some of those featured in the main part of the festival.
So what are the films that DVDfever is most looking forward to? Well, the opening and closing movies look like real treats. War of the Arrow (right), directed by Kim Han-min (who also made Handphone, featured in the Directrospectives strand), is full-on action billed as having bow action to rival Robin Hood.
The Unjust comes from Ryoo Seung-wan, who is also doing a Q&A after the screening. Which should be most welcome, as it tackles corruption of police and prosecutors, and sounds reminiscent of the excellent French crime series, Spiral. Fans of the director will also want to check out his City of Violence, from 2006, which centres on organised crime.
At the ICA, there’s a chance to explore the North/South Korea divide in depth, thanks to films like Poongsan, a thriller from Juhn Jai-hong about a secret mission to bring someone over the border. There’s also a European premiere in the shape of The Front Line, set as the Korean War nears its climax, plus Yellow Sea, following a taxi driver looking for his missing wife and echoes some of the great American directors.
For light relief, there’s Cho Jin-min’s Suicide Forecast (yes, the title doesn’t sound promising, but bear with it – and it does feature Ryoo Seung-beom from The Unjust and Crying Fist).
If you want a classic love story, then the third and latest version of the evergreen Late Autumn (right), from Kim Tae-yong, will fit the bill. And there’s even some KPop for good measure – with a one-off opening gig from boy band SHINee, and some of KPop’s stars feature in Kang Hyung-chul’s box office smash hit, Sunny.
But don’t just take my word for it. This is a film festival you want to be a part of. If you’re in London, pop into the Korean Cultural Centre at Ground Floor, Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5BW (where they’re also screening classics and Directrospectives). Or simply check out the websites koreanfilm.co.uk and ica.org.uk.