Film

10 best Korean films you’ll see this year

by KAYLA MARIE HILLIER

The first edition of the Korean Film Festival in Canada, a program touring across the country, hits Montreal from July 4–10 with a solid slate of recent Korean cinema.

Min-soo Jo and Jeong-jin Lee in Pietà

The Korean Film Festival starts today, showcasing recent top-grossing and award-winning feature length films and shorts — making it a reliable source for cinematic treats.

Here are the 10 feature length films that you can look forward to at the fest:

Jeon Yun-su’s Le Grand Chef (2007), about a young chef quitting the profession after he enters a contest to be the head of a world-class restaurant — and fails. He retires to the country to become a farmer, returning to the spotlight when he gets the opportunity to face his rival again.


Kim Ki-duk’s Pietà (2012). A woman approaches a brutal man who works for loan sharks and claims to be his mother. The film follows the strange relationship that develops between them. (You can read our review in the July print issue of Cult MTL.)


In Jo Sung-he’s film A Werewolf Boy (2012), a young girl is sent to the country due to her health and discovers a feral boy (Song Joong-ki) on the grounds and attempts to tame him.


Lee Yong-joo’s Architecture 101 (2012), tells the love story of two students meeting in an introductory architecture class, reuniting 15 years later once the girl needs a hand creating her dream house.


The festival will also highlight the following four films starring actor Ryoo Seung-Yong:

Lee Hwan-kyung’s Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013), the heartwarming and heartbreaking story of a mentally challenged man wrongfully imprisoned for murder trying to see his daughter again.


Choo Chang-min’s Masquerade (2012). During the Joseon Dynasty, King Gwanghae fears for his life and asks a trusted advisor to hire a body-double for extra protection. The kindness of the peasant they choose starts to unravel the ruse.


In Kim Han-min’s War of the Arrows (2012), a stealthy archer during the second Manchu invasion of Korea must fight to save his sister who has been taken away.


Jang Hoon’s war drama The Front Line (2011), explores the final battle during the Korean war which decided the border between the north and south.


And they’ll also highlight films directed by Bong Joon-ho:

Mother (2009), about a mother searching for the truth after her son is wrongfully imprisoned for a brutal murder he did not commit.


And monster movie The Host (2006) tells the tale of a sea monster emerging from the Han river preying on people.


Also playing at the fest are five short films, including Han Seung-hun’s Feeling of Winning (2011), Joung Yu-mi’s Love Games (2012), Yoo Min-young’s Invitation (2011), Dachi Ma’s Ghost (2011) and Um Tae-hwa’s Forest (2012). ■

The Korean Film Festival runs July 4–10 at the Montreal Botanical Garden (4101 Sherbrooke E.) and Cineplex Odeon Forum (2313 Ste-Catherine W.) Check out their website for screening times, $10 /film or see 10 films with the $50 Movie Pass.

Posted in Film

by KAYLA MARIE HILLIER

Contributor

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