Prepare yourself for the longest title of a film series in the world:

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Yeonghwa: Korean Film Today, a Weeklong Exhibition of Innovative New Korean Cinema (Sept. 22 – 30) also at the Museum of Modern Art

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A collection of various somewhat recent Korean feature films, this is a grab bag assortment of movies. Not all of them very good. But some aren’t bad.

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THE HOUSEMAID (2010)
There are three well-regarded movies in this line-up, the rest being either okay or having gotten mixed reviews. THE HOUSEMAID, from Im Sang-Soo (THE PRESIDENT’S LAST BANG) is a remake of Kim Ki-Young’s landmark 1960 film of the same name, and it is a great movie that goes completely off the rails in a gloriously-over-the-top manner in the last 15 minutes. Posh, sexy, funny and then insane, it’s worth your time. (read a review) (see the trailer)

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The Housemaid does some light

cleaning.

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GOOD MORNING, MR. PRESIDENT (2009)
Another of the best three movies in the bunch, this flick about the Korean presidency stars Jang Dong-Gun who played the young cop in NOWHERE TO HIDE, went on to kick butt in TAE GUK GI and then stopped making movies in 2005. This is his first film in 5 years, and the fact that it’s directed by WELCOME TO DONGMAKGOL’s Jang Jin helps. (read a review)

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FROZEN FLOWER (2008)
The second-best movie in this line-up (although it has played a few times in NYC and isn’t the premiere the series material claims it is) this b-list, super-bloody, super-sexy Saturday afternoon matinee of a historical drama is lots of fun. (read a review)

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WOOCHI (2009)
Pretty-boy Gang Dong-Won (SECRET REUNION) plays a time traveling wizard. Reviews have been mixed, but audiences really liked this fantasy comedy time travel flick. Also, however, not a NY Premiere as the materials claim. Not a bad way to spend an evening. (read a review)

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SISTERS ON THE ROAD (2008)
Kong Hyo-Jin and Shin Min-A star in this flick directed by lady director Boo Ji-Young (who will be at the screening) about two half-sisters fighting and bonding. (read a review)

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EIGHTEEN (2010)
A teen romance, it’s gotten good reviews. (read one of them)

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Eighteen and emo

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BEST SELLER (2010)
Another Korean horror movie, this one from first time director Lee Jeong-Ho. A writer is accused of plagiarism, rents a house in the country and a “mysterious figure” tells her “spooky stories” and she turns them into her next book. Already bought for a Hollywood remake. (watch the trailer) (read a review)

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LAND OF SCARECROWS (2008)
Arthouse film by Roh Gyeon-Tae, Meniscus Magazine calls it, “a true masterpiece,” while the Hollywood Reporter says it’s a “tired and tiring identity drama that’s been done better elsewhere.” You be the judge.

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Indeed, this is a Land of Scarecrows

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Tickets and showtimes on the official site

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Comments (1) Sep 06 2010

Contemporary short films, but Asian, too. So: ContemporASIAN. See what they did there? Good thing it’s not being sponsored by ImaginAsian or SensAsian.

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Running September 10 – 15 this program appears like magic at the Museum of Modern Art at the following times:

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Friday, September 10, 8:00

Saturday, September 11, 7:30

Sunday, September 12, 5:00

Monday, September 13, 7:00

Wednesday, September 14, 4:00

Thursday, September 15, 8:00

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And what are they?

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A LETTER TO UNCLE BOONMEE (2009, Thailand, Apichatpong Weerasethakul)
Before his UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES won the Palme D’Or at Cannes, Thailand’s critical darling directed this 17 minute short that sort of uses the same characters.

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MADAME BUTTERFLY (2008, Taiwan, Tsai Ming-liang)
Part of the international Twenty Puccini Project, one of the grumpiest but most adored arthouse directors in Taiwan, Tsai Ming-liang, made this improvised, 36 minute flick with Madame Butterfly in the Kuala Lumpur bus terminal.

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CRY ME A RIVER (2007, China, Jia Zhangke)
Everyone loves China’s latest arthouse hero, Jia Zhangke, and the MOMA press notes pantingly call this 19 minute short he shot in Suzhou a “perfect gem.” It’s a tribute to the much-loved Chinese film, SPRINGTIME IN A SMALL TOWN.

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LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS (2009, Korea, Hong Sang-Soo)
Korea’s comedian of the art film makes a 30 minute movie about a writer visiting an ex. Humiliation and brutal humor ensues. I love Hong’s movies, but isn’t this the plot of pretty much all of them?

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The official site with trailers and pictures!

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Comments (0) Sep 06 2010