Anthony Chen (“The Breaking Ice”) is attached to direct and Shinho Lee to write “Sunset Park” for Barunson C&c, a film and TV production subsidiary of Barunson E&a, the Korean company that produced Oscar-winning hit “Parasite.”
“Sunset Park” recounts a surprising journey in the U.S. made by a Korean father with his son’s room mate, after the man receives tragic news about his son. The project is being developed by Jane Hyojin Kwon (Lucky Jane Title) and Woo-sik Seo (Barunson C&c), with Chen’s production outlet Giraffe Pictures boarding as producing partner. New York-based Lee is the writer of Na Hong-jin’s breakout Korean actioner “The Chaser” as well as Wayne Wang’s drama film “While The Women Are Sleeping.”
The cross-cultural story is only one of several high-profile global projects that the company is launching in and around the Busan International Film Festival and on...
“Sunset Park” recounts a surprising journey in the U.S. made by a Korean father with his son’s room mate, after the man receives tragic news about his son. The project is being developed by Jane Hyojin Kwon (Lucky Jane Title) and Woo-sik Seo (Barunson C&c), with Chen’s production outlet Giraffe Pictures boarding as producing partner. New York-based Lee is the writer of Na Hong-jin’s breakout Korean actioner “The Chaser” as well as Wayne Wang’s drama film “While The Women Are Sleeping.”
The cross-cultural story is only one of several high-profile global projects that the company is launching in and around the Busan International Film Festival and on...
- 10/4/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Seated before a photo of filmmaker Sarah Moldoror, panelists at this year’s Women in Film roundtable shared strategies for greater industry parity, while reflecting on recent successes and standstills in that ongoing pursuit. Variety has been give access to the video of the panel discussion.
Organized by Magaajyia Silberfeld and Winta Ghebre, and moderated by journalist and filmmaker Rahmatou Keïta, the Venice Film Festival roundtable brought together filmmakers Malgorzata Szumowska (“Woman Of”), Gina Kim (whose 3D-360 doc “Comfortless” screens in Venice Immersive), and Leila Basma (director of the Horizons-selected short “Sea Salt”), alongside set decorator Brandi Kalish (“The Killer”).
Moderator Rahmatou Keïta stressed the need for historical memory and for a greater degree of focus in order to prevent real gains from slipping into PR lip service. Keïta made mention of the equality charter signed at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival before caustically pointing out that five years prior,...
Organized by Magaajyia Silberfeld and Winta Ghebre, and moderated by journalist and filmmaker Rahmatou Keïta, the Venice Film Festival roundtable brought together filmmakers Malgorzata Szumowska (“Woman Of”), Gina Kim (whose 3D-360 doc “Comfortless” screens in Venice Immersive), and Leila Basma (director of the Horizons-selected short “Sea Salt”), alongside set decorator Brandi Kalish (“The Killer”).
Moderator Rahmatou Keïta stressed the need for historical memory and for a greater degree of focus in order to prevent real gains from slipping into PR lip service. Keïta made mention of the equality charter signed at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival before caustically pointing out that five years prior,...
- 9/9/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
“Summer’s end is around the bend just flyin’” according to the great John E. Prine and Patrick James McLaughlin, whose song “Summer’s End” appeared in Season 2 of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” covered by Phoebe Bridgers and Maria Taylor. This applies to reality as the seasons and months change, but also to Jenny Han’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” which just wrapped its second season on Prime Video. Don’t blink though, because even though Season 3 is delayed due to the ongoing strikes, it will likely be the last one.
If you’re looking for ways to extend the trip even after that heartbreaking Season 2 finale, TheWrap has gathered a list of shows like “The Summer I Turned Pretty” that you can binge in the meantime.
One of the best parts of making this list was realizing that there is truly no show that captures the essence of...
If you’re looking for ways to extend the trip even after that heartbreaking Season 2 finale, TheWrap has gathered a list of shows like “The Summer I Turned Pretty” that you can binge in the meantime.
One of the best parts of making this list was realizing that there is truly no show that captures the essence of...
- 8/29/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Walton Heath (England), Aug 9 (Ians) Indian golfers Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will feature in the Aig Women’s Open, which is the final Major of the year for women, starting on Thursday.
Aditi made the cut at the previous Major, the Evian Championship, but Diksha missed the cut.
Aditi will play at Walton Heath with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda and Italian Valentina Rossi and they will be out very early in the morning, while Diksha will play with Celine Borge and Gina Kim and they tee off from the first tee.
Aditi will play her 27th Major and her best has been T-22 at the Women’s Open in 2018, while Diksha has not made a cut in three starts at Majors.
Aditi has won four times on the Ladies European Tour including the first win at the Women Indian Open back in 2016, while Diksha Dagar has won twice, once each...
Aditi made the cut at the previous Major, the Evian Championship, but Diksha missed the cut.
Aditi will play at Walton Heath with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda and Italian Valentina Rossi and they will be out very early in the morning, while Diksha will play with Celine Borge and Gina Kim and they tee off from the first tee.
Aditi will play her 27th Major and her best has been T-22 at the Women’s Open in 2018, while Diksha has not made a cut in three starts at Majors.
Aditi has won four times on the Ladies European Tour including the first win at the Women Indian Open back in 2016, while Diksha Dagar has won twice, once each...
- 8/9/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The 80th Venice Film Festival has revealed its selection of projects for Venice Immersive, the Xr-Extended Reality section of the festival, which runs Aug. 30 – Sept. 9. The program will include VR experience “Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway” and a Fatboy Slim project.
Venice Immersive is devoted to immersive media and includes all Xr means of creative expression: 360° videos and Xr works of any length, including installations and virtual worlds. The program, which will take place on the island of Lazzaretto Vecchio, will present 44 projects from 25 countries, and 24 works in the Worlds Gallery section. It will comprise:
28 projects in Competition 10 projects Out of Competition – Best of Venice Immersive. International selection of the best works that have been released or premiered elsewhere since the last edition of the Venice Film Festival. Six projects developed during the Biennale College Cinema – VR: One project produced thanks to the grant from the seventh edition, and...
Venice Immersive is devoted to immersive media and includes all Xr means of creative expression: 360° videos and Xr works of any length, including installations and virtual worlds. The program, which will take place on the island of Lazzaretto Vecchio, will present 44 projects from 25 countries, and 24 works in the Worlds Gallery section. It will comprise:
28 projects in Competition 10 projects Out of Competition – Best of Venice Immersive. International selection of the best works that have been released or premiered elsewhere since the last edition of the Venice Film Festival. Six projects developed during the Biennale College Cinema – VR: One project produced thanks to the grant from the seventh edition, and...
- 7/20/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Venice Immersive is the Xr - Extended Reality strand of Venice International Film Festival
Venice Immersive, the Xr – Extended Reality strand of the Venice International Film Festival (August 30-September 9) has unveiled its competition selection for 2023.
The 28 projects include Wallace & Gromit In The Grand Getaway based on the stop-motion comedy franchise. It is directed by Finbar Hawkins, Bram Ttwheam and Lawrence Benetta and is a co-production between Wallace & Gromit’s UK creator Aardman, with the UK’s No Ghost and French companies Atlas V, Albyon and Astrea. The 60-minute VR experience takes players on a holiday gone awry with the...
Venice Immersive, the Xr – Extended Reality strand of the Venice International Film Festival (August 30-September 9) has unveiled its competition selection for 2023.
The 28 projects include Wallace & Gromit In The Grand Getaway based on the stop-motion comedy franchise. It is directed by Finbar Hawkins, Bram Ttwheam and Lawrence Benetta and is a co-production between Wallace & Gromit’s UK creator Aardman, with the UK’s No Ghost and French companies Atlas V, Albyon and Astrea. The 60-minute VR experience takes players on a holiday gone awry with the...
- 7/20/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
The 2023 Venice Immersive program has been unveiled.
The annual programming features 44 projects from 25 countries, with Singing Chen serving as jury president. The selection of projects for the Xr – Extended Reality section will take place during the 80th Venice International Film Festival from August 30 to September 9. The official program is hosted on the Venice Immersive Island (island of Lazzaretto Vecchio), a short distance from the Lido di Venezia.
Venice Immersive is entirely devoted to immersive media and includes all Xr means of creative expression: 360° videos and Xr works of any length, including installations and virtual worlds. Twenty-eight projects are debuting in Competition, with 10 projects Out of Competition which have already been released or premiered elsewhere internationally in the past year since the last edition of the Venice International Film Festival.
The Venice Immersive World on VRChat will present a virtual presentation, with the Worlds Gallery section showcasing a selection of 24 virtual worlds,...
The annual programming features 44 projects from 25 countries, with Singing Chen serving as jury president. The selection of projects for the Xr – Extended Reality section will take place during the 80th Venice International Film Festival from August 30 to September 9. The official program is hosted on the Venice Immersive Island (island of Lazzaretto Vecchio), a short distance from the Lido di Venezia.
Venice Immersive is entirely devoted to immersive media and includes all Xr means of creative expression: 360° videos and Xr works of any length, including installations and virtual worlds. Twenty-eight projects are debuting in Competition, with 10 projects Out of Competition which have already been released or premiered elsewhere internationally in the past year since the last edition of the Venice International Film Festival.
The Venice Immersive World on VRChat will present a virtual presentation, with the Worlds Gallery section showcasing a selection of 24 virtual worlds,...
- 7/20/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Anthony Keyvan agrees with Kitty’s description of Q, his character in Netflix’s “Xo, Kitty” as having a “heart of gold,” adding that he thinks Q would be a “bros before hoes” kind of guy when it comes to some drama at the end of the show.
Q is one of Dae’s (Minyeong Choi) best friends and roommates at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (Kiss), where Kitty’s mom studied abroad for her junior year of high school. Kitty (Anna Cathcart), who first appeared in the film adaptation of Jenny Han’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018), sets off on her own adventures to Kiss in the spinoff show “Xo, Kitty” for two reasons: her mom went there and she’s dating Dae long-distance. Kitty eventually wins over Q, and she even sets him up with French and Greek student Florian (Théo Augier Bonaventure) with her matchmaking skills.
Q is one of Dae’s (Minyeong Choi) best friends and roommates at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (Kiss), where Kitty’s mom studied abroad for her junior year of high school. Kitty (Anna Cathcart), who first appeared in the film adaptation of Jenny Han’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018), sets off on her own adventures to Kiss in the spinoff show “Xo, Kitty” for two reasons: her mom went there and she’s dating Dae long-distance. Kitty eventually wins over Q, and she even sets him up with French and Greek student Florian (Théo Augier Bonaventure) with her matchmaking skills.
- 5/21/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Sandra Oh is set to narrate the upcoming PBS documentary “Rising Against Asian Hate: One Day in March,” slated to premiere Oct. 17.
“Rising Against Asian Hate” explores the fight against anti-Asian hate following the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings that killed eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent. The documentary features interviews with former Georgia State Rep. Stacey Abrams, Rep. Grace Meng, Georgia State Sen. Michelle Au, Georgia State Rep. Bee Nguyen, Georgia State Rep. Samuel Park and Byung J. “BJay” Park, former Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney and legislator, among others.
“With this documentary, we hope to examine this troubling escalation of racism against the Aapi community, pay respect to the lives lost and impacted by the violence, and champion those coming together to fight against the hate,” executive producer Gina Kim said in a statement.
Also in today’s TV news:
Programming
HGTV has ordered 16-episode sophomore seasons...
“Rising Against Asian Hate” explores the fight against anti-Asian hate following the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings that killed eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent. The documentary features interviews with former Georgia State Rep. Stacey Abrams, Rep. Grace Meng, Georgia State Sen. Michelle Au, Georgia State Rep. Bee Nguyen, Georgia State Rep. Samuel Park and Byung J. “BJay” Park, former Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney and legislator, among others.
“With this documentary, we hope to examine this troubling escalation of racism against the Aapi community, pay respect to the lives lost and impacted by the violence, and champion those coming together to fight against the hate,” executive producer Gina Kim said in a statement.
Also in today’s TV news:
Programming
HGTV has ordered 16-episode sophomore seasons...
- 9/19/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Five Flavours Asian Film Festival invite you for a journey through taste, colors, and sounds of the Asian continent, hoping they can provide food for your thoughts and solace for your spirits.
The Programme of this year’s Festival comprises more than forty titles representing the extreme variety of Asian cinemas – from horror cinema to sweet melodramas, from grasping auteur cinema to relaxing journeys around the continent.
All the films will be presented online between November 25 and December 6.
Preparing this year’s edition forced the organisers to face up to completely new challenges – from the matters of logistics to finding new ways of thinking about their mission, priorities, building bridges between filmmakers and audiences outside the screening rooms. The online edition of the Festival is not a compromise, but a different way to reach the, perhaps even wider, audiences, discover the rich variety of Asian cultures, and explore the contemporary...
The Programme of this year’s Festival comprises more than forty titles representing the extreme variety of Asian cinemas – from horror cinema to sweet melodramas, from grasping auteur cinema to relaxing journeys around the continent.
All the films will be presented online between November 25 and December 6.
Preparing this year’s edition forced the organisers to face up to completely new challenges – from the matters of logistics to finding new ways of thinking about their mission, priorities, building bridges between filmmakers and audiences outside the screening rooms. The online edition of the Festival is not a compromise, but a different way to reach the, perhaps even wider, audiences, discover the rich variety of Asian cultures, and explore the contemporary...
- 11/2/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The double bill last week was confounding: Parasite playing side by side nationally with Love Story — the edgy Korean thriller nudging the 50-year-old weepy.
There was a perverse logic behind the playdates. Having won every statuette in sight, Parasite now was opening wide in quest of a giant payday, already approaching $200 million worldwide. Love Story, meanwhile, was being resuscitated in 700 theaters as a Valentine’s Day celebration of Hollywood’s consummate date movie (dates usually were consummated).
Filmgoers had a right to be baffled: Would Ki-woo finally emerge from his underground lair to buy the mansion he’d secretly infiltrated? On the other hand, would the Harvard rich kid, Oliver Barrett IV, be banned from hitting on the cute but impoverished (and sickly) Italian girl?
Although the movies are opposites in every way, a filmgoer would detect a common denominator: Both films are fixated on class — a theme that has...
There was a perverse logic behind the playdates. Having won every statuette in sight, Parasite now was opening wide in quest of a giant payday, already approaching $200 million worldwide. Love Story, meanwhile, was being resuscitated in 700 theaters as a Valentine’s Day celebration of Hollywood’s consummate date movie (dates usually were consummated).
Filmgoers had a right to be baffled: Would Ki-woo finally emerge from his underground lair to buy the mansion he’d secretly infiltrated? On the other hand, would the Harvard rich kid, Oliver Barrett IV, be banned from hitting on the cute but impoverished (and sickly) Italian girl?
Although the movies are opposites in every way, a filmgoer would detect a common denominator: Both films are fixated on class — a theme that has...
- 2/20/2020
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
Key festival programmers quit last month over the succession issue.
South Korea’s Jeonju International Film Festival (Jiff) organizing committee and its chairman Kim Seung-su have appointed producer Lee Joondong the new festival director today (December 11).
Lee’s appointment will last for three editions starting with next year’s event, which runs April 30-May 9.
The country’s film industry was shaken last month when executive programmer Kim Young-jin, who had previously been the successor apparent to former festival director Lee Choong-jik, walked out with his two other core programming colleagues Lee Sangyong and Jang Byungwon over the issue of who would take the director role.
South Korea’s Jeonju International Film Festival (Jiff) organizing committee and its chairman Kim Seung-su have appointed producer Lee Joondong the new festival director today (December 11).
Lee’s appointment will last for three editions starting with next year’s event, which runs April 30-May 9.
The country’s film industry was shaken last month when executive programmer Kim Young-jin, who had previously been the successor apparent to former festival director Lee Choong-jik, walked out with his two other core programming colleagues Lee Sangyong and Jang Byungwon over the issue of who would take the director role.
- 12/11/2019
- by 134¦Jean Noh¦516¦
- ScreenDaily
Gone are the days when HBO, PBS and Showtime ruled the documentary marketplace. Netflix and Amazon — as well as the recent emergence of digital distributors including Apple, Facebook, Hulu and YouTube Red — have changed the face of the docu genre: There is a newfound excitement around unscripted projects. But with the rapid nonfiction platform expansion has come a strong demand for content — and not just any old content. Content that taps into the cultural zeitgeist. Content that tackles the latest headlines. Content that audiences want to better understand. Or at least try and understand.
Major players in the docs field such as Netflix, as well as unlikely networks like E!, are clamoring for topical documentaries about issues including the Trump presidency and movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo and Never Again.
“Clearly people are consumed with these stories, and many top-tier broadcaster networks are looking to capitalize on that,” says Justin Wilkes,...
Major players in the docs field such as Netflix, as well as unlikely networks like E!, are clamoring for topical documentaries about issues including the Trump presidency and movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo and Never Again.
“Clearly people are consumed with these stories, and many top-tier broadcaster networks are looking to capitalize on that,” says Justin Wilkes,...
- 6/14/2018
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
As virtual reality becomes recognized as a viable film technology internationally, the Korean film industry is not hesitating to join the trend: film tech labs and visual effects houses are producing Vr content more aggressively than ever, while major exhibitors are developing new technologies to screen this material.
Until quite recently, Vr content was rarely available in cinemas as most Vr productions have been designed for theme parks and experiential games. But now South Korea is catching up the global trend – a movement in which Vr animation such as Eugene Chung’s “Arden’s Wake” draw wide attention and leading film festivals launch competition sections specifically for Vr films.
South Korea has showcased quite a few notable Vr film projects: in 2017, Gina Kim’s Vr documentary “Bloodless” competed in the Venice film festival’s Vr competition and won the best Vr Story Award. Based on a true event in 1992, the...
Until quite recently, Vr content was rarely available in cinemas as most Vr productions have been designed for theme parks and experiential games. But now South Korea is catching up the global trend – a movement in which Vr animation such as Eugene Chung’s “Arden’s Wake” draw wide attention and leading film festivals launch competition sections specifically for Vr films.
South Korea has showcased quite a few notable Vr film projects: in 2017, Gina Kim’s Vr documentary “Bloodless” competed in the Venice film festival’s Vr competition and won the best Vr Story Award. Based on a true event in 1992, the...
- 5/10/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Nabbing Best Vr Story at Venice, Bloodless is veteran filmmaker Gina Kim’s (perhaps best known for 2007’s Vera Farmiga-starring Never Forever) 12-minute immersive stunner. The Us-South Korea coproduction was also selected as part of this year’s Idfa DocLab Digital Storytelling program, which is where I experienced it, having gone into the Vr Cinema without even bothering to read the synopsis. And because of my cluelessness, the story’s climax packed a punch I never saw coming — one that shook me to the core. This is another way of saying that if you plan on experiencing the project on a future […]...
- 12/22/2017
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The Busan film fest’s Asian Project Market (Apm) has highlighted a “strong presence” of women filmmakers in this year’s line-up.
A total of 27 titles from 16 countries have been selected including projects from names including Yim Soon-rye, Tan Chui Mui and Laila Pakalnina.
In its 19th year, the Apm (formerly called the Pusan Promotion Plan or Ppp) said it tried to go back to its original mission of discovering up-and-coming talent with a selection that includes Pavle Vuckovic - who debuted last year in Cannes with Panama - bringing his Serbian thriller Mountain Eyes and Lei Lei with her debut feature animation Ningdu,which has Isabelle Glachant attached as a producer.
Apm stated it saw “an increased interest and more submissions by female directors and producers” this year. Yim is bringing Project Lee Jung-Seob, based on the legendary Korean artist’s life, while Tan has Malaysian coming-of-age drama All About Yuyu and Pakalnina has Latvia-Estonia...
A total of 27 titles from 16 countries have been selected including projects from names including Yim Soon-rye, Tan Chui Mui and Laila Pakalnina.
In its 19th year, the Apm (formerly called the Pusan Promotion Plan or Ppp) said it tried to go back to its original mission of discovering up-and-coming talent with a selection that includes Pavle Vuckovic - who debuted last year in Cannes with Panama - bringing his Serbian thriller Mountain Eyes and Lei Lei with her debut feature animation Ningdu,which has Isabelle Glachant attached as a producer.
Apm stated it saw “an increased interest and more submissions by female directors and producers” this year. Yim is bringing Project Lee Jung-Seob, based on the legendary Korean artist’s life, while Tan has Malaysian coming-of-age drama All About Yuyu and Pakalnina has Latvia-Estonia...
- 8/23/2016
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
The Lesson by co-directors Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov was the big winner at this year’s Sofia International Film Festival in Bulgaria.
The duo’s feature debut became the second Bulgarian feature in Siff’s 19-year history to receive the international jury’s Grand Prix after Dragomir Sholev’s Shelter in 2011.
The Lesson also picked up the Audience Award, the Fipresci International Critics’ Prize and the award for the Best Bulgarian Feature Film.
Accepting the award, Valchanov pointed to the importance of the Sofia Meetings where The Lesson had originally been pitched and said that this event should be ¨an example¨ to the Bulgarian state to develop a long-term and sustainable film policy for the future.
The sentiment was echoed by international jury president Stephan Komanderev (The Judgement) when he presented the ¨Sofia City Of Film¨ Grand Prix to the young directors.
The Lesson, which is handled internationally by Wide Management, premiered last year...
The duo’s feature debut became the second Bulgarian feature in Siff’s 19-year history to receive the international jury’s Grand Prix after Dragomir Sholev’s Shelter in 2011.
The Lesson also picked up the Audience Award, the Fipresci International Critics’ Prize and the award for the Best Bulgarian Feature Film.
Accepting the award, Valchanov pointed to the importance of the Sofia Meetings where The Lesson had originally been pitched and said that this event should be ¨an example¨ to the Bulgarian state to develop a long-term and sustainable film policy for the future.
The sentiment was echoed by international jury president Stephan Komanderev (The Judgement) when he presented the ¨Sofia City Of Film¨ Grand Prix to the young directors.
The Lesson, which is handled internationally by Wide Management, premiered last year...
- 3/16/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Korea’s Cj Entertainment has announced a raft of deals on Final Recipe, starring Henry Lau from the Asian pop group Super Junior – M and Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).
The film sold to Spain (Kiss), Italy (Officine), Middle East (Gulf Film), Switzerland (Praesens Film), German-speaking Europe excluding Switzerland (Viz Media), and ex-Yugo (Discovery).
Directed by Gina Kim (Never Forever), the family drama is a Korea-Singapore-Thailand co-production about a young man who gets into an international cooking competition.
The film made its world premiere in San Sebastian’s Culinary Zinema section and played in the Berlinale’s Kulinarisches Kino program.
Fortissimo handles European sales while Cj handles the rest of the world.
The film sold to Spain (Kiss), Italy (Officine), Middle East (Gulf Film), Switzerland (Praesens Film), German-speaking Europe excluding Switzerland (Viz Media), and ex-Yugo (Discovery).
Directed by Gina Kim (Never Forever), the family drama is a Korea-Singapore-Thailand co-production about a young man who gets into an international cooking competition.
The film made its world premiere in San Sebastian’s Culinary Zinema section and played in the Berlinale’s Kulinarisches Kino program.
Fortissimo handles European sales while Cj handles the rest of the world.
- 3/25/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Chefs cooking themed meals include Daniel Achilles, Tim Raue and the Roca brothers.
The Culinary Cinema programme of the 64th Berlinale (Feb 6-16) will open will Gina Kim’s Final Recipe.
The motto of this year’s programme is “We like it hot… but don’t let it burn”.
There are 15 films in the selection, including the world premieres of Diego Luna’s Cesar Chavez (jointly with Berlinale Special programme), Spanish film The Dream by Franc Aleu about the Roca brothers (followed by a meal cooked by them), Sanjay Rawal’s Us documentary Food Chains [pictured], and Italian documentaries The Knights of the Lagoon by Walter Bencini and Natural Resistance by Jonathan Nossiter, also shown in Panorama.
“The use of fire and our ability to cook distinguishes us from all other living beings. Yet fire also poses a threat to future generations, for global warming has reached dangerous levels. Let’s do something about it, and leave no...
The Culinary Cinema programme of the 64th Berlinale (Feb 6-16) will open will Gina Kim’s Final Recipe.
The motto of this year’s programme is “We like it hot… but don’t let it burn”.
There are 15 films in the selection, including the world premieres of Diego Luna’s Cesar Chavez (jointly with Berlinale Special programme), Spanish film The Dream by Franc Aleu about the Roca brothers (followed by a meal cooked by them), Sanjay Rawal’s Us documentary Food Chains [pictured], and Italian documentaries The Knights of the Lagoon by Walter Bencini and Natural Resistance by Jonathan Nossiter, also shown in Panorama.
“The use of fire and our ability to cook distinguishes us from all other living beings. Yet fire also poses a threat to future generations, for global warming has reached dangerous levels. Let’s do something about it, and leave no...
- 1/20/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Chefs cooking themed meals include Daniel Achilles, Tim Raue and the Roca brothers.
The Culinary Cinema programme of the 64th Berlinale will open will Gina Kim’s Final Recipe.
The motto of this year’s programem is “We like it hot… but don’t let it burn.” There are 15 films in the selection, including the world premieres of Diego Luna’s Cesar Chavez (jointly with Berlinale Special programme], Spanish film The Dream by Franc Aleu about the Roca brothers (followed by a meal cooked by them), Sanjay Rawal’s Us documentary Food Chains [pictured], and Italian documentaries The Knights of the Lagoon by Walter Bencini and Natural Resistance by Jonathan Nossiter (also shown in Panorama).
“The use of fire and our ability to cook distinguishes us from all other living beings. Yet fire also poses a threat to future generations, for global warming has reached dangerous levels. Let’s do something about it, and leave no...
The Culinary Cinema programme of the 64th Berlinale will open will Gina Kim’s Final Recipe.
The motto of this year’s programem is “We like it hot… but don’t let it burn.” There are 15 films in the selection, including the world premieres of Diego Luna’s Cesar Chavez (jointly with Berlinale Special programme], Spanish film The Dream by Franc Aleu about the Roca brothers (followed by a meal cooked by them), Sanjay Rawal’s Us documentary Food Chains [pictured], and Italian documentaries The Knights of the Lagoon by Walter Bencini and Natural Resistance by Jonathan Nossiter (also shown in Panorama).
“The use of fire and our ability to cook distinguishes us from all other living beings. Yet fire also poses a threat to future generations, for global warming has reached dangerous levels. Let’s do something about it, and leave no...
- 1/20/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Last week in my Cannes predictions, I attached a first glimpse of the Lee Jeong-jae and Jeon Do-yeon (who won Best Actress in Cannes for Secret Sunshine) pairing we'll find Im Sang-soo's remake of The Housemaid, and now we have a sweet first look at a Jeon Do-yeon again in a pic that gives us a vague idea of the subservient, domesticated nanny persona she embodies before the problems start to mount. - Last week in my Cannes predictions, I attached a first glimpse of the Lee Jeong-jae and Jeon Do-yeon (who won Best Actress in Cannes for Secret Sunshine) pairing we'll find Im Sang-soo's remake of The Housemaid, and now we have a sweet first look at a Jeon Do-yeon again in a pic that gives us a vague idea of the subservient, domesticated nanny persona she embodies before the problems start to mount. Coming to us in...
- 2/24/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
You won't find many remakes on this 100 list, but take an original idea and re-configure the role assignments and you've got my approval. I've sort of lost track of the South Korean helmer since his most hyped film, 2005's The President's Last Bang, who stylistically speaking doesn't shy away from getting his actors to take up the whole frame. Jeon will absolutely shine in this role. - #61. The Housemaid Director: Im Sang-sooWriter(s): Gina Kim (Never Forever)Producers: Not AvailableDistributor: Rights Available. The Gist: This is a remake of Kim Ki-young's 1960 film about a maid who ruins a family. Cast: Do-yeon Jeon and Seo Woo (awaiting male lead). Why is it on the list?: You won't find many remakes on this 100 list, but take an original idea and re-configure the role assignments and you've got my approval. I've sort of lost track of the South...
- 1/14/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
Now that's casting.
We've talked at length about the remake of Kim Ki-Young's 60s classic 하녀 (The Housemaid) over the last few months, first going from a sort of cinematic persona non grata helmed by promising director Gina Kim, then pairing the unlikely duo of Im Sang-Soo and TV drama pioneer Kim Soo-Hyun, who eventually engaged in a little bit of online jabbing over the film's script. But once Jeon Do-Yeon was cast, the film started to turn into an intriguing prospect, particularly knowing how talented a storyteller Im can be. Well, now you can add what is likely the most inspired bit of casting Chungmuro has shown us all year long: Seo Woo of 미쓰 홍당무 (Crush & Blush) and 파주 (Paju) has been cast opposite Jeon and whom will end up playing the husband.
The intriguing bit is that Im went against expectations by casting the older Jeon as the housemaid,...
We've talked at length about the remake of Kim Ki-Young's 60s classic 하녀 (The Housemaid) over the last few months, first going from a sort of cinematic persona non grata helmed by promising director Gina Kim, then pairing the unlikely duo of Im Sang-Soo and TV drama pioneer Kim Soo-Hyun, who eventually engaged in a little bit of online jabbing over the film's script. But once Jeon Do-Yeon was cast, the film started to turn into an intriguing prospect, particularly knowing how talented a storyteller Im can be. Well, now you can add what is likely the most inspired bit of casting Chungmuro has shown us all year long: Seo Woo of 미쓰 홍당무 (Crush & Blush) and 파주 (Paju) has been cast opposite Jeon and whom will end up playing the husband.
The intriguing bit is that Im went against expectations by casting the older Jeon as the housemaid,...
- 12/15/2009
- Screen Anarchy
The 66th edition of the Venice Film Festival lineup includes the main festival plus the sidebar which will be playing films like Yannick Dahan's gangster zombie flick The Horde.
In competition we have the long awaited scifi awesomeness from Jaco Van Dormael, Mr. Nobody and Shinya Tsukamoto's trfiecta Tetsuo the Bulletman.
Out of competition has [Rec] 2 and the Midnight section has Nicolas Refn's long awaited Valhalla Rising which was actually made before Bronson.
Man I wish I could go! Anyone want to cover the fest for us? Use the contact link at the bottom of the page. We'd be happy to do cross-posted reviews.
Full list after the break.
66Th Annual Venice Film Festival Lineup
Competition
"36 vues du Pic Saint Loup," Jacques Rivette (France)
"Accident," Cheang Pou-Soi (China-Hong Kong)
"Baaria," Giuseppe Tornatore (Italy) – Opening Film
"Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans," Werner Herzog (U.S.)
"Between Two Worlds,...
In competition we have the long awaited scifi awesomeness from Jaco Van Dormael, Mr. Nobody and Shinya Tsukamoto's trfiecta Tetsuo the Bulletman.
Out of competition has [Rec] 2 and the Midnight section has Nicolas Refn's long awaited Valhalla Rising which was actually made before Bronson.
Man I wish I could go! Anyone want to cover the fest for us? Use the contact link at the bottom of the page. We'd be happy to do cross-posted reviews.
Full list after the break.
66Th Annual Venice Film Festival Lineup
Competition
"36 vues du Pic Saint Loup," Jacques Rivette (France)
"Accident," Cheang Pou-Soi (China-Hong Kong)
"Baaria," Giuseppe Tornatore (Italy) – Opening Film
"Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans," Werner Herzog (U.S.)
"Between Two Worlds,...
- 7/30/2009
- QuietEarth.us
Rome -- Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" will headline a 24-film competition lineup at September's Venice Film Festival, which is heavy on first and second films from up-and-coming directors.
The lineup includes five U.S. films, four each from Italy and France, four from Asia, two from the Middle East -- with all 23 films named Thursday as world premieres.
A 24th surprise competition pic to be announced during the fest would also be a world premiere, officials said. The fest will feature 71 world premieres.
"We are very pleased and very honored to announce this lineup," Venice artistic director Marco Mueller said in a briefing Thursday, where Fatih Akin's comedy "Soul Kitchen"; "Accident," a thriller from China's Cheang Pou; and "A Single Man," a drama from Tom Ford starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, were revealed as part of the lineup.
All told, the fest will feature 16 first works and nine second works.
The lineup includes five U.S. films, four each from Italy and France, four from Asia, two from the Middle East -- with all 23 films named Thursday as world premieres.
A 24th surprise competition pic to be announced during the fest would also be a world premiere, officials said. The fest will feature 71 world premieres.
"We are very pleased and very honored to announce this lineup," Venice artistic director Marco Mueller said in a briefing Thursday, where Fatih Akin's comedy "Soul Kitchen"; "Accident," a thriller from China's Cheang Pou; and "A Single Man," a drama from Tom Ford starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, were revealed as part of the lineup.
All told, the fest will feature 16 first works and nine second works.
- 7/30/2009
- by By Eric J. Lyman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- A Korean remake, the latest from Chinese director Zhang Yuan and an animated tale from the Czech Republic are among the 36 selections for the next CineMart.
Organizers of the Rotterdam co-production market said Monday that they sifted through nearly 500 submissions from 26 territories before crafting their final lineup.
South Korea's "The Housemaid" is expected to land a production partner Gina Kim's remake for Mirovision.
Yuan's 1933-set "Executioner Garden" tells the story of a man sentenced to death who, as his last wish, requests that he be killed "in motion." He escapes into the vaults of the prison and a game of life and death ensues.
Czech animation stalwart Negativ Film, meanwhile, the production house behind the films of Bohdan Slama, will travel to the Dutch market to find partners for "Alois Nebel."
And the first movie directed solely by Pablo Stoll, half of the famous 25 Watts and Whisky duo from Uruguay,...
Organizers of the Rotterdam co-production market said Monday that they sifted through nearly 500 submissions from 26 territories before crafting their final lineup.
South Korea's "The Housemaid" is expected to land a production partner Gina Kim's remake for Mirovision.
Yuan's 1933-set "Executioner Garden" tells the story of a man sentenced to death who, as his last wish, requests that he be killed "in motion." He escapes into the vaults of the prison and a game of life and death ensues.
Czech animation stalwart Negativ Film, meanwhile, the production house behind the films of Bohdan Slama, will travel to the Dutch market to find partners for "Alois Nebel."
And the first movie directed solely by Pablo Stoll, half of the famous 25 Watts and Whisky duo from Uruguay,...
- 12/22/2008
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Seoul -- South Korean production company Mirovision is teaming up with Production M writer-director Lee Myung-se's company, to bring his samurai action movie "Youth Is Reckless" to the big screen.
Jason Chae, president of Mirovision, made the announcement Wednesday at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, where he is looking for financial partners for what he hopes will be the company's first high-profile international co-production.
Billed as equal parts "Easy Rider" and "Seven Samurai," "Youth" is set to be finished in late 2009. The screenplay is inspired by "A Book of Five Rings," the 17th century swordfighting manual by Miyamoto Musashi.
Lee was given the book 20 years ago by a Korean member of one of Japan's yakuza crime families and knew he would someday make a film about the author, Mirovision said in a statement.
Lee's atmospheric thrillers include "M" (2007), "Nowhere to Hide" (1999) and "Duelist" (2005), his first foray into the swordplay genre,...
Jason Chae, president of Mirovision, made the announcement Wednesday at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, where he is looking for financial partners for what he hopes will be the company's first high-profile international co-production.
Billed as equal parts "Easy Rider" and "Seven Samurai," "Youth" is set to be finished in late 2009. The screenplay is inspired by "A Book of Five Rings," the 17th century swordfighting manual by Miyamoto Musashi.
Lee was given the book 20 years ago by a Korean member of one of Japan's yakuza crime families and knew he would someday make a film about the author, Mirovision said in a statement.
Lee's atmospheric thrillers include "M" (2007), "Nowhere to Hide" (1999) and "Duelist" (2005), his first foray into the swordplay genre,...
- 11/5/2008
- by By Nigel D'Sa
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
DEAUVILLE, France -- Andre Techine and his jury breathed life into Karen Moncrieff's "The Dead Girl", awarding it the 33rd Deauville American Film Festival's grand prize as the 10-day celebration of trans-Atlantic cinema wrapped Sunday night.
The discovery of the mysterious dead girl shatters the lives of complete strangers tied together by her brutal murder in this picture. The film was written and directed by Moncrieff and produced by First Look Studios and Lakeshore Entertainment. It features Toni Collette, Rose Byrne, Brittany Murphy, Mary Beth Hurt, Nick Searcy, Marcia Gay Harden, Kerry Washington, Giovanni Ribisi, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Piper Laurie and Mary Steenburgen.
The movie has yet to set a release date in France, but will be distributed in the territory by Sonatine Films.
"The fact that you, with your culture and your film culture, are here honoring American movies is really astounding to me," Moncrieff said in her acceptance of the honor. Techine's jury awarded the runner-up Jury Prize to "Never Forever", Gina Kim's moving portrait of a woman who embarks on a series of sexual encounters with a Korean immigrant worker as she struggles to save her marriage.
The discovery of the mysterious dead girl shatters the lives of complete strangers tied together by her brutal murder in this picture. The film was written and directed by Moncrieff and produced by First Look Studios and Lakeshore Entertainment. It features Toni Collette, Rose Byrne, Brittany Murphy, Mary Beth Hurt, Nick Searcy, Marcia Gay Harden, Kerry Washington, Giovanni Ribisi, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Piper Laurie and Mary Steenburgen.
The movie has yet to set a release date in France, but will be distributed in the territory by Sonatine Films.
"The fact that you, with your culture and your film culture, are here honoring American movies is really astounding to me," Moncrieff said in her acceptance of the honor. Techine's jury awarded the runner-up Jury Prize to "Never Forever", Gina Kim's moving portrait of a woman who embarks on a series of sexual encounters with a Korean immigrant worker as she struggles to save her marriage.
- 9/10/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Quick Links Complete Film Listing: Premiere's section lineup: Dramatic Competition: Documentary Competition: World Dramatic Competition: World Documentary Competition: Spectrum: Park City at Midnight: Frontier (New Directions in Filmmaking): Short Film Programs January 18 to 28, 2007 Counting Down: updateCountdownClock('January 18, 2007'); At least a good half of the films represented in the U.S Dramatic comp this year are by first time filmmakers. Headed by veteran filmmaker (and yet relatively new) David Gordon Green and his Stewart O'Nan novel adaptation of Snow Angels but perhaps the most loudest (in term of controversy and spotlight shall go to) the rough Deborah Kampmeier portrait Hounddog - starring a Dakota Fanning in what shall become a transition role for her from Hollywood to Indie, but from child actor to adult-material. And an indie festival wouldnâ.t be a festival without the presence of the Posey name. Zoe Cassavetes will introduce our friend Parker in
- 1/18/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
PARK CITY -- At their best, independent films have the power to make foreign cultures seem not so distant. So Yong Kim's look at Korean teen-agers growing up in the U.S. presents a unique and specific experience, but at the same time it's not so different from that of other kids. A satisfying and skillful piece of filmmaking, "In Between Days" is a natural for cable outlets after making the rounds on the festival circuit.
Based on her own experience moving to Los Angeles at age 12, Kim has created a documentarylike reality of a young Korean girl's dislocation. A first-generation immigrant, Aimie (Jiseon Kim) not only has to adjust to the teenage angst of dating and sex but also absorb a culture she doesn't really understand. Although Aimie is inarticulate in either language, the director manages with intense close-ups and painterly composition to get under her skin to her inner feelings.
Aimie lives alone with her mother (Bokja Kim) in a low-income housing project in a frozen Northeastern city (the film was shot in Toronto). Every morning as she traipses off to school, she hears the ice and snow crunching under her feet. She's an indifferent student, spending most of her time doodling in class and only comes alive when a classmate, Tran (Taegu Andy Kang), starts showing some interest in her.
He's also first-generation, and together they listlessly wander around, staring in store windows at luxury products they can't afford. Their bond is their isolation, and together they have a few moments of relief -- smoking, playing video games and light kissing. Their most intimate moment is when Aimie gives him a homemade Korean tattoo, which symbolically becomes infected.
But Tran has his eye on Michelle (Gina Kim), a prettier and more assimilated girl. When Aimie's heart is broken, she has no one to turn to. She barely talks to her mother and holds her responsible for her father leaving them. She communicates only in the dreamy letters home that she composes to her father, asking about relatives and whether he will come and visit.
The one time Aimie's sense of loss and longing pours out and she raises her voice is to sing along with a Korean pop song in a music video. It's a remarkable performance from Kim, especially because she had never acted before. The whole trajectory of the film is played out in her eyes as her moon-shaped face fills the frame. Kang, also a newcomer, is equally impressive, capturing the sullen disappointment of his character. Perhaps they identify with these characters.
Production, shot on a Panasonic minicamera, is a bit of a mom-and-pop operation. The director's husband, Bradley Rust Gray, produced and co-wrote the screenplay. Sarah Levy's camerawork is perfectly expressive, suggesting a kind of Korean neo-realism. Helmer Kim chose not to use a music soundtrack to emphasize the silence of the characters, but her expert sound design gives the film an added dimension in creating their environment.
"In Between Days" beautifully and impressively demonstrates what filmmakers with more vision than money can accomplish.
IN BETWEEN DAYS
A Soandbrad production
Credits:
Director: So Yong Kim
Screenwriters: So Yong Kim, Bradley Rust Gray
Producer: Bradley Rust Gray
Director of photography: Sarah Levy
Editor: So Yong Kim
Cast:
Aimie: Jiseon Kim
Tran: Taegu Andy Kang
Mom: Bokja Kim
Michelle: Gina Kim
Michelle's friend: Virginia Wu
Steve: Mike Park
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 82 minutes...
Based on her own experience moving to Los Angeles at age 12, Kim has created a documentarylike reality of a young Korean girl's dislocation. A first-generation immigrant, Aimie (Jiseon Kim) not only has to adjust to the teenage angst of dating and sex but also absorb a culture she doesn't really understand. Although Aimie is inarticulate in either language, the director manages with intense close-ups and painterly composition to get under her skin to her inner feelings.
Aimie lives alone with her mother (Bokja Kim) in a low-income housing project in a frozen Northeastern city (the film was shot in Toronto). Every morning as she traipses off to school, she hears the ice and snow crunching under her feet. She's an indifferent student, spending most of her time doodling in class and only comes alive when a classmate, Tran (Taegu Andy Kang), starts showing some interest in her.
He's also first-generation, and together they listlessly wander around, staring in store windows at luxury products they can't afford. Their bond is their isolation, and together they have a few moments of relief -- smoking, playing video games and light kissing. Their most intimate moment is when Aimie gives him a homemade Korean tattoo, which symbolically becomes infected.
But Tran has his eye on Michelle (Gina Kim), a prettier and more assimilated girl. When Aimie's heart is broken, she has no one to turn to. She barely talks to her mother and holds her responsible for her father leaving them. She communicates only in the dreamy letters home that she composes to her father, asking about relatives and whether he will come and visit.
The one time Aimie's sense of loss and longing pours out and she raises her voice is to sing along with a Korean pop song in a music video. It's a remarkable performance from Kim, especially because she had never acted before. The whole trajectory of the film is played out in her eyes as her moon-shaped face fills the frame. Kang, also a newcomer, is equally impressive, capturing the sullen disappointment of his character. Perhaps they identify with these characters.
Production, shot on a Panasonic minicamera, is a bit of a mom-and-pop operation. The director's husband, Bradley Rust Gray, produced and co-wrote the screenplay. Sarah Levy's camerawork is perfectly expressive, suggesting a kind of Korean neo-realism. Helmer Kim chose not to use a music soundtrack to emphasize the silence of the characters, but her expert sound design gives the film an added dimension in creating their environment.
"In Between Days" beautifully and impressively demonstrates what filmmakers with more vision than money can accomplish.
IN BETWEEN DAYS
A Soandbrad production
Credits:
Director: So Yong Kim
Screenwriters: So Yong Kim, Bradley Rust Gray
Producer: Bradley Rust Gray
Director of photography: Sarah Levy
Editor: So Yong Kim
Cast:
Aimie: Jiseon Kim
Tran: Taegu Andy Kang
Mom: Bokja Kim
Michelle: Gina Kim
Michelle's friend: Virginia Wu
Steve: Mike Park
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 82 minutes...
- 1/30/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARK CITY - At their best, independent films have the power to make foreign cultures seem not so distant. So Yong Kim's look at Korean teenagers growing up in America presents a unique and specific experience, but at the same time it's not all that different from other kids. A satisfying and very skillful piece of filmmaking, "In Between Days" is a natural for cable outlets after making the rounds on the festival circuit.
Based on her own experience moving to Los Angeles at age 12, Kim has created a documentary-like reality of a young Korean girl's dislocation. A first generation immigrant, Aimie (Jiseon Kim) has to adjust not only to the teenage angst of dating and sex but also absorb a culture she doesn't really understand. Although Aimie is inarticulate in either language, the director manages with intense close-ups and painterly composition to get under her skin to her inner feelings.
Aimie lives alone with her mother (Bokja Kim) in a low-income housing project in a frozen Northeastern city (the film was shot in Toronto). Every morning as she traipses off to school she hears the frozen ice snow crunching under her feet. She's an indifferent student, spending most of her time doodling in class, and only comes alive when a classmate Tran (Taegu Andy Kang) starts showing some interest in her.
He's also first-generation and together they listlessly wander around, staring in store windows at luxury products they can't afford. Their bond is their isolation and together they have a few moments of relief, smoking, playing video games and light kissing. Their most intimate moment is when Aimie gives him a homemade Korean tattoo, which symbolically becomes infected.
But Tran has his eye on Michelle (Gina Kim), a prettier and more assimilated girl. When Kim's heart is broken she has no one to turn to. She barely talks to her mother and holds her responsible for her father leaving them. She communicates only in the dreamy letters home she composes to her father, asking about relatives and if he will come and visit.
The one time Aimie's sense of loss and longing pours out and she raises her voice is to sing along with a Korean pop song on a music video. It's a remarkable performance from Kim, especially since she had never acted before. The whole trajectory of the film is played out in her eyes as her moon-shaped face fills the frame. Kang, also a newcomer, is equally impressive, capturing the sullen disappointment of his character. Perhaps they identify with these people.
Production, shot on a Panasonic mini-camera, is a bit of a mom and pop operation. Kim's husband Bradley Rust Gray produced and co-wrote the screenplay. Sarah Levy's camerawork is perfectly expressive, suggesting a kind of Korean neo-realism. Kim chose not to use a music soundtrack to emphasize the silence of the characters, but expert sound design by So Young Kim gives the film an added dimension in creating their environment. "In Between Days" beautifully and impressively demonstrates what filmmakers with more vision than money can accomplish.
IN BETWEEN DAYS
A Soandbrad production
Credits:
Director: So Yong Kim
Writers: So Yong Kim, Bradley Rust Gray
Producer: Gray
Director of photography: Sarah Levy
Editor: So Yong Kim
Cast:
Aimie: Jiseon Kim
Tran: Taegu Andy Kang
Mom: Bokja Kim
Michelle: Gina Kim
Michelle's friend: Virginia Wu
Steve: Mike Park
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 82 minutes...
Based on her own experience moving to Los Angeles at age 12, Kim has created a documentary-like reality of a young Korean girl's dislocation. A first generation immigrant, Aimie (Jiseon Kim) has to adjust not only to the teenage angst of dating and sex but also absorb a culture she doesn't really understand. Although Aimie is inarticulate in either language, the director manages with intense close-ups and painterly composition to get under her skin to her inner feelings.
Aimie lives alone with her mother (Bokja Kim) in a low-income housing project in a frozen Northeastern city (the film was shot in Toronto). Every morning as she traipses off to school she hears the frozen ice snow crunching under her feet. She's an indifferent student, spending most of her time doodling in class, and only comes alive when a classmate Tran (Taegu Andy Kang) starts showing some interest in her.
He's also first-generation and together they listlessly wander around, staring in store windows at luxury products they can't afford. Their bond is their isolation and together they have a few moments of relief, smoking, playing video games and light kissing. Their most intimate moment is when Aimie gives him a homemade Korean tattoo, which symbolically becomes infected.
But Tran has his eye on Michelle (Gina Kim), a prettier and more assimilated girl. When Kim's heart is broken she has no one to turn to. She barely talks to her mother and holds her responsible for her father leaving them. She communicates only in the dreamy letters home she composes to her father, asking about relatives and if he will come and visit.
The one time Aimie's sense of loss and longing pours out and she raises her voice is to sing along with a Korean pop song on a music video. It's a remarkable performance from Kim, especially since she had never acted before. The whole trajectory of the film is played out in her eyes as her moon-shaped face fills the frame. Kang, also a newcomer, is equally impressive, capturing the sullen disappointment of his character. Perhaps they identify with these people.
Production, shot on a Panasonic mini-camera, is a bit of a mom and pop operation. Kim's husband Bradley Rust Gray produced and co-wrote the screenplay. Sarah Levy's camerawork is perfectly expressive, suggesting a kind of Korean neo-realism. Kim chose not to use a music soundtrack to emphasize the silence of the characters, but expert sound design by So Young Kim gives the film an added dimension in creating their environment. "In Between Days" beautifully and impressively demonstrates what filmmakers with more vision than money can accomplish.
IN BETWEEN DAYS
A Soandbrad production
Credits:
Director: So Yong Kim
Writers: So Yong Kim, Bradley Rust Gray
Producer: Gray
Director of photography: Sarah Levy
Editor: So Yong Kim
Cast:
Aimie: Jiseon Kim
Tran: Taegu Andy Kang
Mom: Bokja Kim
Michelle: Gina Kim
Michelle's friend: Virginia Wu
Steve: Mike Park
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 82 minutes...
- 1/24/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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