Following our introduction to KOFFIA 2011, we take a look at the films that will be screening at this years festival…
The Unjust (Ryoo Seung-wan / 2010)
One of the most talked about films on this years festival circuit and the opening film for this years KOFFIA, The Unjust is the latest powerhouse flick from The City of Violence, Crying Fist and Arahan director Ryoo Seung-wan.
The Unjust is a dark thriller following a trail of corruption and deceit within the police force, the justice system and the media with scenes of brutal action and has been described by many as Ryoo’s best work so far. VCinemaShow described The Unjust as:
‘a propulsive police corruption saga that finds director Ryoo Seung-wan recapturing the relentless pace and gallows humour of his earlier hit The City of Violence (2006), while aligning his signature style with topical subject matter.‘
As an added bonus director Ryoo will be in attendance introducing the film and there will be a Q&A session.
A trailer for The Unjust can be found and you can read the full review over at VCinemaShow here.
The Man From Nowhere (Lee Jeong-beom / 2010)
One of the biggest hits to emerge from Korea over the last year – Korea’s largest grossing film of 2010 – The Man From Nowhere is a solid revenge action flick starring heartthrob Won Bin (Mother, Bong Joon-ho / 2009). A man of few words – but one who you really shouldn’t mess with – Cha Tae-sik (Won Bin) is a man ‘with a past’ who springs into action when his neighbour and her young daughter are kidnapped by drug dealers and there’s no-one else to help.
Satish Naidu, in a review for this site, praised the film for its incredible action scenes:
‘Rarely does a movie or a scene find the soul of art in its action set-piece. Yet, it doesn’t reduce itself to the overt feminism of a John Woo action-piece, which almost feels like a song and dance number. I think a part of it has to do with the modern action framing and cutting techniques, which if not comprehensibility at least render a kind of bluntness to the action sequences.’
A trailer for The Man From Nowhere can be found and you can read the full New Korean Cinema review here.
Secret Reunion (Jang Hoon / 2010)
Director Jang Hoon’s follow up to his acclaimed debut Rough Cut (2008), which screened at last years KOFFIA festival, Secret Reunion is an unlikely buddy flick following the relationship between a South Korean Intelligence Agent and a North Korean spy. Starring the ever-reliable – and brilliant – Song Kang-ho (also appearing at this years KOFFIA in both J.S.A. – Joint Security Area and The Show Must Go On) and the increasingly impressive Kang Dong-won (Woochi), Secret Reunion is a near-perfect mixture of action, thriller, drama and comedy. Secret Reunion was the second highest grossing Korean film in 2010, after The Man From Nowhere.
A personal favourite of the year, I managed to rave about Secret Reunion quite happily in a review for this site:
‘Secret Reunion proves to be a thoroughly entertaining and intelligent blockbuster, a buddy-flick with some breathtaking action and brilliantly tense moments but, most importantly, with some great characters thanks to a strong script and the two excellent performances. ’
A trailer for Secret Reunion can be found and you can read the full New Korean Cinema review here.
J.S.A – Joint Security Area (Park Chan-wook / 2000)
Prior to making his acclaimed ‘revenge trilogy’, director Park Chan-wook broke out with this box-office smash – becoming the highest grossing film in Korean history at the time – with his adaptation of the novel DMZ by Park Sang-yeon.
J.S.A. follows an investigation into the deaths of two North Korean soldiers conducted by a neutral investigator who is given several different versions of events leading up to that fateful night. Park Chan-wook’s thriller is a powerful, unexpected multi-layered drama which is highly recommended for both first-time viewers as well as anyone who may have caught it before.
In his review of the film Darcy Paquet praised the brilliant performances of its cast and the stunning visuals:
‘the film’s biggest strength is the flashback, with actors Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun excelling in their roles. This part of the film also features some breathtaking cinematography for the scenes that take place along the Demilitarized Zone.‘
A trailer for J.S.A. – Joint Security Area can be found and you can read the full review from Darcy Paquet over at KoreanFilm.org here.
Earth’s Women (Kwon Woo-jeong / 2009)
There’s a rare chance to catch this award-winning documentary at KOFFFIA which follows a year and a half in the lives of three female friends who all, having grown up in urban areas, have moved to rural areas to marry farmers. Working in rural communities themselves the women help work the land while facing prejudices towards their roles and still find the time to wives, mothers and daughter-in-laws.
Although around 53% of Korean farmers are women, it’s still a position that is stigmatised and Kwon Woo-jeong’s documentary – which has been described as a lot more livelier and fun that it might initially sound! – aims to highlight the work of these women and give them some of the recognition that they deserve.
A trailer for Earth’s Women can be found .
No Blood No Tears (Ryoo Seung-wan / 2002)
The second feature film from director Ryoo Seung-wan at this years festival is the follow up to his independent Die Bad (2000) and is a stunning showpiece which has drawn plenty of comparisons to Guy Ritchies early output, but which has an energy, black comedy and cynical edge that has ‘Ryoo Seung-wan’ written all over it. No Blood No Tears is best approached knowing little about it, but suffice to say it’s the tale of an unlikely couple who decide to try to rip off the underworld people who surround them. Mis-stepping you at every opportunity, Ryoo’s action thriller boasts impressive action scenes, a clever plot, a sharp script and memorable performances from its large cast which includes Lee Hye-yeong and Jeon Do-yeon (The Housemaid).
Put simply:
‘No Blood No Tears comes highly recommended for anyone looking for an energetic, noirish-action-heist-thriller.‘
A trailer for No Blood No Tears can be found and you can read the full New Korean Cinema review here.
TO BE CONTINUED!
There’s plenty more to come – ‘Part 2′ of our overview of the films showing at KOFFIA 2011 will appear shortly…
“HOLD ON TIGHT!”
For more information go to the KOIFFA 2011 website: www.koffia.com.au. Tickets are on sale 3 weeks prior to the festival dates.
The full screening schedule can be found here.
KOFFIA is organised by the Korean Cultural Office in Sydney.
