FRIGHTFEST DOOMSDAY - FOR LOVERS OF POST-APOCALPyTIC INSANITY!

The FILM4 FrightFest, the UK's biggest and brightest fantasy and horror film festival in association with Universal Pictures, is delighted to present the first London screening of Neil Marshall’s

apocalyptic DOOMSDAY at the Odeon West End on Saturday May 3. The futuristic road movie stars Rhona Mitra as the warrior-like head of an elite unit charged with stopping a deadly virus from spreading across the world.

Fans will also able to see two of Marshall’s previous films – his startling debut DOG SOLDIERS and the US hit THE DESCENT – both of which have been championed and screened at previous FrightFest events.

As well as Neil Marshall, cast members attending are: Alexander Siddig, Sean Pertwee, Nora Jane Noone, Darren Morfitt and Adrian Lester from DOOMSDAY, Les Simpson, Craig Conway & Chris Robson (from DOG SOLDIERS) and from THE DESCENT - Shauna MacDonald, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder & MyAnna Buring.

Timetable:

11.40am. DOG SOLDIERS (15)

1.50pm. THE DESCENT (18)

3.45pm. DOOMSDAY (18)

Day Passes are £16.

Tickets are available now from the Odeon West End box office during cinema opening hours, the Odeon ticket call centre on 0871 22 41 983 daily and on-line from www.odeon.co.uk.

Rogue Pictures and Intrepid Pictures present DOOMSDAY – a Crystal Sky Pictures production, in association with Scion Films. (A Neil Marshall Film). DOOMSDAY is released by Universal Pictures on May 9 2008. Certificate (TBC) Running time (TBC).

Review Of THE ASSEMBLY: RELEASED 7th MARCH

THE ASSEMBLY

Feng Xiaogang seems to be turning out very impressive pictures at the moment. His last one The Banquet was a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and impressed both critics and audiences all around the world. For this project he chose an entirely different time period and subject matter: The Chinese Civil War.

The Assembly tells the story of Gu Zidi (played magnificently by Hanyu Zhang) and the 9^th Company of whom he is the Captain The story kicks off in northeast China in the winter of 1948, during the civil war between the Nationalist KMT and Communist PLA. In a small, ruined town under gray, snow-laden skies, Capt. Gu Zidi and his Ninth Company soldiers distinguish themselves in street combat with a KMT unit. But so enraged is Gu at the loss of his political officer that he shoots a KMT soldier in cold blood after the latter and his men have surrendered. Gu gets a token sentence of a few days' imprisonment, during which he meets fellow prisoner Wang Jincun (Yuan Wenkang), a political officer who's awaiting a possible death sentence for cowardice. When old guerrilla buddy Liu Zeshui (Hu Jun) orders Gu to take the Ninth Company on a special mission, Gu asks to take Wang along with him as the new political officer of the Company.. After valiant fighting by the ill-equipped, tiny Ninth Company against huge KMT forces a couple soldiers claim they've heard the assembly bugle call and argue for retreat. Gu says he's heard no such thing, and the Ninth fights to the last man -- Gu. Here story moves forward two months to when Gu is recovering in a PLA hospital, unable to prove his identity in the Civil War chaos. Three years later, in North Korea, he's fighting the Americans and South Koreans during another civil war, when he saves the life of Er Dou (Deng Chao), who has stepped on a mine. Rest of the film is largely set in 1955, in peacetime China by the Wen River, where a retirement home is being built for army veterans. Now obsessed with recovering his own honor and his comrades' missing bodies, Gu sets out on a mad personal mission against official bureaucracy, helped by Er Dou and Wang's young widow, Sun Guiqin (Tang Yan).

Although The Assembly brings nothing new to the well worn war genre, it is undeniably a powerful film. Unusually enough, the film does not really begin to gather momentum until almost an hour in: Gu Zidi’s journey after the end of the war bringing forth the necessary emotional weight. In fact one could easily say that the war scenes that largely make up the first part are some of the film’s weaker points: shaky-cam shot, Saving Private Ryan style fight scenes that serve only to propel the plot forward. But once Gu Zidi finds himself compelled to honor his dead comrades, the script gets stronger with much help from a towering performance by Hanyu Zhang. His portrayal of Gu Zidi is magnificent : watching him transform from battle-hardened soldier to obsessed war veteran is an exciting and amazing joy. What’s more, his camaraderie with others whom he fought shoulder to shoulder help to enrich the emotional core of the film immensely; by the end of the two hours, one truly gets a sense of the identity, of the core of this man.

The supporting cast are no slouches either, even though they are never given enough chance to shine. Most of the cast perform their duties admirably whilst special mention must go to Deng Chao who bring Er Doue alive even though his character does not appear on the screne until the second half of the film.

The film itself looks gorgeous, especially in the second half when the grey battlefield leave their places to more of China’s beautiful natural scenery. Although most of the battle scenes are shot with the techniques accepted as standard, the rest of the film is full of more serene, static shots, with the camera following the character without disturbing them. There is a sense of space, as each shot shows us the endless, boundless country going on behind the current action. Music is also suitably bombastic with emotional scenes heighted by cues of majestic tunes.

What is wonderful about seeing a film like The Assembly though is its’ infinite humanity. What motivates Gu Zidi, Er Dou and Sun Guigin, the central trio of the film, are their desire to honour their fallen or their desire to help a friend: although each of them may suffer, they never complain. Even near the end when a last minute emotional tiwst seems to turn everything upside down, Gu Zidi does not lose his humanity for more than a minute: his brief speech at his commanding officer’s grave is full of human emotions and illustrates his compassionate heart at its’ best.

I can heartily recommend The Assembly to anyone who wants to see a different kind of war film: set in an unusal period and without the usual maudling emotional blackmail designed to make the crowds weep. The Assembly is the real deal: a humanitarian tale of determination that leaves a mark long after the credits have run.

MIIKE'S 'RYU GA GOTOKU' AVAILABLE ON ENGLISH DVD

Takashi Miike had a good year in 2007, with three major releases - Sukiyaki Western Django, Crows 0 and Like A Dragon -Like A Dragon is due out next week on Korean DVD with English subtitles. Based on the Playstation 2 game of the same name, this is a colorful, Miike-style adaptation with lots of violence, lots of fighting and some fantastic set design. Watch the trailer and decide for yourself:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=sqnpSPcM5Kc

SLIT- MOUTHED WOMAN SEQUEL ALL READY TO ROLL OUT!

'A Slit-Mouthed Woman' or 'Carved' as it was known in the USA was a middling, weak , Japanese horror film from 2007. However it must have made enough to please someone somewhere because a sequel is already completed in Japan and gearing up for a release in March.
The story this time around will apparently deal with the origins of the slit-mouthed ghost woman. Rin Asuka will be taking the lead as Mayumi, the high school girl whose face is left disfigured after some unnecessarily close contact with acid.
All the signs point out to an even morre middling,weak sequel so let's just wait and see!

'CHOCOLATE' TRAILER - WATCH AND WEEP

Thai action flick 'Chocolate' released in Thailand on Valentine's Day (14th February for those souls who don't know) looks amazing. I can't say anymore because trying to explain how I feel watching the high-kicking, table-sliding antics of heroine Jeejah. I am stunned. I wanna see this so very much right now. (In the meantime do enjoy the trailer)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4lTbFcHWJEo


Ps. Tony Jaa - Jeejah get married - have children - can you IMAGINE?

PERIOD FILMS GALORE! RED CLIFF!AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS!

First: Trailer for John Woo new, expensive, problematic and intriguing epic Red Cliff is up: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rbx9oPfFNFs

And next a trailer for Donnie Yen's upcoming period epic, An Empress and The Warriors: http://youtube.com/watch?v=I_H2mCqMuo4

And finally a sneak peek at Thai action extravaganza that is sweeping Thailand at this very moment: Chocolate - Tony Jaa has serious competition: (Well it is made by the same people after all - what did I expect?) Trailer:http://youtube.com/watch?v=j4gGDVFfB4s&feature=related

Until tomorrow!

REJOICE,REJOICE,REJOICE ALL AROUND - CHANK WOOK PARK HAS A NEW LADY FOR HIS FILM!

Finally - after a long to and fro, Chan Wook Park has apparently chosen the leading lady for his new film 'EVIL LIVE'. And the star is to be....drum-roll here, clash of cymbals, james stewart running through:

KIM Ok-Bin.

Chan Wook Park had a lot of trouble because of the amount of nudity required for the role: apparently it is almost as explicit as the recent Ang Lee sexathon 'Lust,Caution'. (i'm being unfair here, Lust Caution was not that explicit; only very inventive in its' explicitness!)

Now go on and shoot the damn film!

Mourn For The Passing Of Kon Ichikawa

One of the greatest humanitarian directors ever to grace the lands, Kon Ichikawa sadly passed away yesterday. For those who have never seen his work, he can easily be classed alongside Ozu or Kurosawa. Following is a brief biography of the (sadly-gone) great man!

Kon Ichikawa has been influenced by artists as diverse as Walt Disney and Jean Renoir, and his films cover a wide spectrum of moods, from the comic to the overwhelmingly ironic and even the perverse. Ichikawa began his career as a cartoonist, and this influence is apparent in his skillful use of the widescreen, and in the strong, angular patterns seen in many of his compositions. He has directed Pu-san (1953), a popular film based on Junichi Yokoyama's "Mr. Pu" comic strip. At various points in his career Ichikawa has shown that he is capable of appealing to a popular audience without compromising his artistry. A great visual stylist and perfectionist, Ichikawa excels at screen adaptations of literary masterpieces, including Soseki Natsume's Kokoro (1955), Yukio Mishima's Enjo (1958), Junichirô Tanizaki's Kagi (1959) and Wagahai wa neko de aru (1975) and Toson Shimazaki's Hakai (1962). He has also remade film classics, such as Yutaka Abe's Ashi ni sawatta onna (1926) (Ichikawa's version: 1952) and Teinosuke Kinugasa's Yukinojo henge (1935) (Ichikawa's version: 1963), transposing them to contemporary settings.

The West was first introduced to Ichikawa when his Biruma no tategoto (1956) won the San Giorgio Prize at the 1956 Venice Film Festival. His epic documentary Tôkyô orimpikku (1965) (released the following year) and Taiheiyo hitori-botchi (1963) explore, with dignity and imagination, the limits of human endurance. He has also worked in the thriller genre, with Ana (1957), Inugamike no ichizoku (1976) and Gokumon-to (1977). Ichikawa tends to present strongly etched, complex characters: the stuttering acolyte who desires to preserve the "purity" of the Golden Pavilion (ENJO); the elderly husband who resorts to injections and voyeurism in order to remain sexually active (KAGI); the member of a pariah class who tries to deny his identity and to "pass" in regular society (HAKAI). More recently, Eiga joyu (1987) is a tribute to the fiercely independent Japanese actress Kinuyo Tanaka, who starred in many of Kenji Mizoguchi's films and was herself a director in later life. On the lighter side, Ichikawa's characters also include a 19th-century cat; a good-hearted, hapless teacher; and a baby who narrates how the world looks from his vantage point. He is especially adept at mixing comedy and tragedy within the same story. Until 1965, Ichikawa's close collaborator was his wife, screenwriter Natto Wada, with whom he produced most of his finest films.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Daniel Yates

BANGKOK DANGEROUS: PANG BROTHERS GALORE - NEW BLOG PROMISES!

Well, hello, Firecracker readers, I know it's been so bloody long since there has been an update but it is finally back: I'd like to send my millions of apolgies and start the month of February with a promise: Firecracker will be updated from now on every day even if it is one piece of news! Please come back and start re-reading and I'll make sure that promise is kept!
Today's news is that tholse stalwarts of style over content Pang Brothers are re-making their own Bangkok Dangerous for American Audiences with Nic Cage in the lead. A poster has just leaked out as well as a Spanish-dubbed trailer (don't bloody well ask me! : Cage looks ridicilous with a long, awful haircut and I get the feeling that in no way will this be the film that changes the atittude towards the relentless duo of Pang.

Stare at the poster until you go blind here: http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2008/02/remakes-posters-for-bangkok-dangerous.html

or watch the spanish beauty trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBM06yb_JvI

Come back tomorrow for more Asian madness - a review of Korean horror-beauty 'Epitaph' as well as a look at the upcoming releases

D-WARS or How Not To Make A Succesful Movie In Ten Infinte Steps

Ahhhh- D-War, a film which has, to date, made so much money, it has become Korea's most successful film ever! Cha-chinging a very respectable 20.3$ million in its first five days over 689 cinema screen, it went to make a further $44 million in Korea, another $10 million in the world and grossing $5 million in USA on its' opening weekend.
However the reason why the hell D-War , a Z-Grade, painful exercise in non-involving movie making, is something I will never understand or at least hope to never understand. For I am sure if I figured it out, there'd be no saving me from this hell either.
You see ,. dear readers, I watched 'D-War' last weekend. All I knew about it was that:
1) There was a snake coiling around a building in the trailer which looked cool
2) My friend was really excited about it.

There may be one or two more little minor points that I perhaps somehow subconsciously were aware of but these did not play an important role in my approach to the movie.

Saturday Night; the height of the weekend. Dinner has been dealt with, a crap film watched to set the mood, the time for the most amazing, the pinnacle movie has come. Bear in mind that at this point I am an recovering man. A chest infection means I cough up damn near everything except blood and it feels as if I have chestburster playing fiddles with my rib, ribcage and lungs.

And then it starts : Within five minutes , I find myself in the company of the most inept, amateurish, illogical film I've seen for maybe the past five years.

I mean look here, i sit through everything and there are times at which i really would like to stop myself from ever having to see another film. But 'D-War' is beyond this. It is so spectacularly bad that it moves into a genre, a realm of its' own.
Point in question: The film has absolutely no idea what a linear structure is. In theory and on paper it follows a story from beginning to the end but it absolutely never adheres to any reason to explain the movement of the story. Near the end of the film the main character and the girl find themselves in what looks like a cheap-ass version of Mordor. And no one, not the bad guy, not Robert Forster, hell not even an ancient legend explains how the sweet Jesus they go from being in the city, getting knocked out and waking up in Mordor. No one even comments on it! Now I don't know you but if I was to get knocked out tonight on the 'Central Line' and wake up say in Tijuana in the middle of a drugs and prostitute shoot-out, i would not just assume that these things happen and join in. A person either needs to have been lobotomised or a heavy user of hallucinogenic drugs in order to be not to be shocked waking up in strange lands which they have never before encountered. But as I say, we don't really know whether the main guy is an addict or not so perhaps this is a subtle hint at the inhibition and danger-risk assessment destroying powers of drug addiction from director Shim Hyung-Rae
Point number two: Was this film written in Korean and then translated perhaps with the help of that unmistakeably intelligent and verbose and witty tool BabelFish? Because the film feels Korean, acts Korean , hell even the little humorous vignettes are Korean but goddammit it actually isn't. Maybe in the original language every word used was exposition and each syllable served a purpose, however listening to in English it is just non-sensical. i don't know about you but I did not see many movies where each dialogue made me more confused than the last. Someone, during the screening of 'Savage Grace' , complained about the banality of the dialogue there: well , he should see this! I'm sure he'd go back to 'Savage Grace' with new, deep, admiring feelings.
And I could go on: there are so many levels on which the film fails that it becomes a sort of sport spotting them. Even my friends were confused by the film's callous, innovative method of if it does not make sense then it must work - scenes following each other as they should but not together - as if a blind madman with a pair of scissors just attacked the 400 reels of film and whatever he cut they sellotaped together to create this film.
However credit where it's due as the CGI does not look atrociously bad - again none of it makes sense (why the hell do those soldiers suddenly appear at the cave? Why is Robert Forster a woman? why doesn't he just help them? Why does the bad guy look after Robert Forster's store when he can't find him? And perhaps the most amazing series of questions: Why does the lead keep abandoning his token best black friend? and why does the best friend keep coming back to help him? I'm sure there is some deep, homosexual , homoerotic, relationship twist there in the original language but once again BabelFish just loses it somewhere between helicopter and across the street.
That's not it. However I'm out of steam and out of breath. Do yourself a favor: miss this. Then i won't have to deal with your therapy later on.

Yours truly
Evrim Ersoy

KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL AT THE BARBICAN! THURSDAY 2 TO FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER! FULL PROGRAMMw!

A dazzling showcase of Korean cinema, The London Korean Film Festival 07 spotlights the quality and diversity of Korean film and offers a cinematic insight into contemporary Korean culture.

Opening with Cannes 2007 favourite Breath (Soom) from acclaimed director Kim Ki-duk, the festival includes classics from the Korean Film Archive, a day of Korean Animation for all the family, the best Korean films of recent years plus a retrospective of the work of superstar director Park Chan-wook who will be attending the festival.

Highlights of this year’s festival will then be screened as the London Korean Film Festival 07 on Tour, visiting Warwick from 9 to 11 November and then Oxford from 12 to 14 November. Visit www.koreanfilm.co.uk for details.

Friday 2 November

7.30pm - Opening Gala Special Preview - Breath (Soom) (cert TBC) (Korea 2007 Dir. Kim Ki-duk 84 min) with introduction from special guest (TBC)

The latest film from the acclaimed director of Spring Summer Autumn Winter and Spring, Palm d’Or nominee Breath garnered a 10 minute standing ovation on its premiere in Cannes. This gentle, offbeat love story centres on the quirky relationship between bored housewife and budding interior decorator Yeon and her unusual new best friend, suicidal death row prisoner Jang Jin. A beautiful and touching film that cements Kim Ki-duk’s status as a master filmmaker. With thanks to Tartan Films

Saturday 3 November

Korean Animation Day!

A fun-filled family day of animated movies, activities and themed workshops for children, focusing on Korean Animation.

11:00am - Family Film Club - The Great Pig Pirate MATEO (Nal-eu-neun daejee Hae-jeok MATEO) (U) (Korea 2004 Dir. Song Geun-Sik 85 min) preceded by drop-in workshop 10.30am

In a world where pigs really can fly and pirates rule the air, Mateo follows the Pirate Code to the letter. Trouble is, he’s not very good at being bad! When a renegade princess with a map to royal treasure crosses his path, Mateo and his gang must decide what’s more important – being famous pirates or saving their world! Korean with English Subtitles – subtitles will be read aloud by an actor.

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1.00pm - Yeuwoobi (Yobi The Five Tailed Fox) (PG) (Korea 2007 Dir. Lee Seong-gang 85 min) preceded by a special performance of music from Yeuwoobi by Korean artists from 12.45pm (TBC)

This imaginative feature from award winning director Lee Seong-gang is a beautiful study of the trials of growing up and fitting in. When 10-year-old Yeuwoobi discovers that she is actually a five tailed fox spirit and not a young girl at all, she begins a quest to become a real human. But with the evil ‘Shadow’ trying to capture her, she doesn’t have much time! Korean with English subtitles.

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3.00pm - Empress Chung (Wang-hoo sim-cheong) (PG) (Korea 2005 Dir. Nelson Shin 85 min)

This vivid musical animation looks like a cross between Anime and the best of Disney. In it, a secret empress living as a country girl tries everything to save her father’s eyesight, even allowing a sea monster to take her captive in his submarine castle. This gorgeous fairy-tale is the first joint cinematic success from South and North Korea, and has enchanted audiences worldwide. Korean with English subtitles.

Saturday 3 November

6.15pm - Family Ties (Gajokeui tansaeng) (12A) (South Korea 2006 Dir. Kim Tae-yong 113 min)

In Family Ties, award winner Kim Tae-yong tells three intertwining stories from members of the same dysfunctional family. Mira’s quiet and orderly life gets turned upside-down by a series of unexpected house guests, including her troubled brother and his new wife. Meanwhile Sunkyung is having trouble coming to terms with her estranged mother’s terminal illness. In the final act, both strands intersect with dramatic results for this bittersweet observation of suburban family life.

Saturday 3 November

8.45pm - Time (Shi gan) (15) (South Korea 2006 Dir. Kim Ki-duk 97 min)

In this pervasive film, a desperately insecure young woman undergoes radical plastic surgery in an attempt to transform herself into what she assumes is her partner’s ideal woman. However, her shocking metamorphosis takes a sinister turn when she begins to alter more than just her looks. Director Kim Ki-duk’s fascinating study of personal neuroses will haunt audiences long after the final credits roll.

Sunday 4 November

6.00pm - Forbidden Quest (Eumranseosaeng) (18) (South Korea 2006 Dir. Kim Dae-woo 139 min)

Intrigued by an erotic novel, aristocrat Kim Yoon-Suh decides to write his own, based on the torrid affair he is having with Jeong-bin, the King’s favourite concubine. The author commissions voyeuristic illustrations from the police chief Gwang-heon which guarantees the salacious tome’s popularity. However, it’s not long before Jeong Bin sees it and, scandalised, plots a fitting revenge on her deceitful lover. A witty, provocative directorial debut.

Sunday 4 November

8.45pm - The King and The Clown (Wang-ui namja) (15) (South Korea 2005 Dir. Lee Joon-ik 119 min)

Set in the early 16^th century, Lee Joon-ik’s stunning film follows two acrobatic clowns, who find themselves in dire trouble after staging a play that satires the current monarchy. Summoned to the court to perform, their situation becomes more dangerous when the tyrannical King develops and obsessive attraction to one of the pair. With Kam Woo-Seong and rising star Lee Joon-ki.

Monday 5 November

Korean Film Archive Screenings

Two classics of Korean Cinema, rarely seen in the UK, screened with kind permission from the Korean Film Archive.

6.30pm - My Mother & Her Guest (Sarangbang sonnimgwa eomeoni) (South Korea 1961 Dir. Shin Sang-ok 103 min)

Shin Sang-ok’s masterpiece centres around young girl Oak-hee and her extended family. Moments of poignancy cut through quirky humour when Shin’s focus is the socially taboo attraction between Oak-hee’s widow mother (Shin’s wife Choi Eun-hee) and their artist lodger. In 1978 Shin and his wife were kidnapped by Kim Jong-il to revitalise North Korea’s film industry, but escaped while in Vienna in 1986.

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8.45pm - Madame Freedom (Jayubuin) (South Korea 1956. Dir. Han Hyeong-mo 125 min)

Highly controversial but extremely popular, Han Hyeong-mo’s classic is one of the great landmark films of South Korea, providing a template for the melodramas for which Korea has become so widely known. Based on a series published in the 1954 Seoul Shinmun newspaper, Madame Freedom explores society’s reactions to a conservative middle-class couple who begin to see different people as their lives become more westernised.

Tuesday 6 November

6.00pm - A Dirty Carnival (Biyeolhan geori) (18) (South Korea 2006 Dir. Yoo Ha 141 min)

This noirish thriller follows young hood Byung-doo, forced to enter a life of organised crime to provide support for his family. When boss Hwang offers him a job that would give his family financial independence, Byung-doo wrestles with his need to make fast money and his desire for an honest life. A mesmerising performance from one of Korea’s leading actors Jo In-Seong, and superb direction from Yoo Ha.

Tuesday 6 November

8.45pm - War of the Flower (Tajja) (15) (South Korea 2006 Dir. Choi Dong-hoon 139 min)

When hard-core gambler Go-nee (Cho Seung-woo) is swindled out of his sister’s savings by group of fraudulent gamblers, he persuades retired master Mr. Pyeong to train him to be the best slicker in the business to get the money back. Arguably one of the most sophisticated and stylish recent Korean films, War of the Flower became an instant hit with home audiences.

Wednesday 7 November

Retrospective: Park Chan-wook

A celebration of the work of the renowned Korean filmmaker, with films specially chosen for the festival by Park Chan-wook, who will also be in attendance at the screenings.

6.15pm - Sympathy For Mr Vengeance (Boksuneun naui geot) (18) (South Korea 2002 Dir. Park Chan-wook 121 min)

Unable to provide a kidney for his gravely ill sister, deaf mute Ryu makes an horrific black market deal that sets him on a brutal path of violence and revenge which leaves no one connected untouched. This emotionally complex tale of good intentions gone wrong is a brilliant, emotionally resonant study of desperate actions and their devastating repercussions.

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8.45pm - Lady Vengeance (Chinjeolhan geumjassi) (18) (South Korea 2006 Dir. Park Chan-wook 112 min)

After 13 years in prison, notorious teen- killer Geum-ja (Lee Young-ae) sets out to confront the man who framed her, but unearths a more horrific truth whilst searching for atonement for her part in the death of a kidnapped boy. As lady Vengeance’s brilliantly conceived flashbacks play out, this spellbinding thriller keeps us guessing right up until its stomach-churning conclusion.

Thursday 8 November

7.30pm - Closing Gala Special Preview - I’m a Cyborg But That’s OK (Saibogujiman kwenchana) (12) (South Korea 2006 Dir. Park Chan-wook 105 min) plus Barbican ScreenTalk with Park Chan-wook

Park Chan-wook’s newest film is a departure in style from the vengeance trilogy that made him both a household name and a critical success. Im Soo-jeong (A Tale of Two Sisters) and Asian mega-star Rain star in this visually delightful musical romance, which flits neatly between fantasy and reality as it charts the touching relationship between oddball residents of a Korean mental hospital. Barbican Film delighted to welcome Park Chan-wook for a special Barbican ScreenTalk following the gala screening of his new film. With thanks to Tartan Films

MADE IN HONG KONG SEASON AT THE ICA - WIN TICKETS!

In conjunction with ICA, Firecracker is proud to offer you the chance to win a pair of tickets to Ringo Lam's explosive 'Full Alert' showing at 8.45 on the 12th October and 'Perhaps Love' a Bob Fosse style musical which will be showing on at 9.00 on the 16th October.

And all you have to do to enter is answer a simple question:

Ringo Lam recently co-directed a film with two other masters of Asian Cinema. What were their names?

All answers must be sent to : competitions@ica.org.uk

More information about the season can be found at: www.ica.org.uk and our previous post!

Good luck!

MADE IN HONG KONG OVER AT THE ICA!

ICA presents:

MADE IN HONG KONG

A season of seven Hong Kong movies from 1997-2007

12 – 16 October, ICA, The Mall, SW1

FULL ALERT / MY LIFE AS MCDULL / PERHAPS LOVE /

MADE IN HONG KONG / AFTER THIS OUR EXILE / GOLDEN CHICKEN /

ORDINARY HEROES

For five days in October the ICA will host a season of films made in Hong Kong over the past 10 years; from the 1997 handover to China to the present day. This decade has seen the film industry in Hong Kong go from strength to strength, creating a new identity while looking back at the area’s history. Among these films, gangland thrillers, a lush musical and a bittersweet piece of animation tackle such issues as identity, the legacy of colonialism and how Hong Kong reacts to mainland China.

Full Alert

12 October: cinema 1

An explosive action thriller featuring starring Ching-wan Lau and Francis Ng, rich on characterisation and punctuated with exciting chase scenes and gunfights. Full Alert was Ringo Lam’s return to Hong Kong movies following his stint making Hollywood-set action films, and his guerrilla film-making style wonderfully captures the sense of the Hong Kong streets. [Dir Ringo Lam, Hong Kong 1997, 99 mins]

My Life as McDull

13, 15 October: cinema 1 & 2

A rare screening of this HK animated classic, a beguiling film about good-natured piglet McDull, who epitomises the spirit of post-1997 Hong Kong. The film follows his life growing up in the slums of Sham Shui Po and features swooping shots of the bustling Kowloon streets, greasy cafes and local characters, fusing animation, photography and computer graphics. [Dir Toe Yuen, Hong Kong 2002, 75 mins]

Perhaps Love

13, 16 October: cinema 1 & 2

This beautifully shot Hollywood-style musical was one of the biggest recent hits in Hong Kong, spinning a delightful love triangle between three of the film’s megastar performers, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhou Xun and Jacky Cheung, with set pieces that are wonderfully staged and on a par with such films as Moulin Rouge. [Dir Peter Chan, Hong Kong 2005, 107 mins]

Made in Hong Kong

14 October: cinema 1

This cult Hong Kong gangster film chronicles three teenagers trying to escape their lives. Fruit Chan’s Hong Kong is more brutal than that presented by the likes of Ringo Lam or John Woo – there are no straightforward gunfights here, instead a menacing cityscape and a backdrop of run-down housing projects. A hit on the festival circuit and previously at the ICA, starring Sam Lee, Neiky Yim and Wenbers Li. [Dir Fruit Chan, Hong Kong 1997, 108 mins]

After This Our Exile

14th, 15th October, Cinema 1 & 2

The director’s cut of this elegantly paced Malaysian-set drama following a debt-ridden father and a heartbreaking father-son relationships. The film marks the return of new-wave luminary Patrick Tam after a 17 year break from film-making. Stars Aaron Kwok and newcomer King-to Ng. [Dir Patrick Tam, Hong Kong 2006, 160 mins]

Golden Chicken

15, 16 October: cinema 1 & 2

Sandra Ng gives a brilliant performance as ‘Golden Chicken’ Ah Kam (“chicken” is slang for a prostitute) in this moving and charming film about a woman’s life story, which also acts as a mirror to the history of Hong Kong over the last 20 years. Terrific supporting cast includes superstars such as Andy Lau and Tony Leung. [Dir Samson Chiu, Hong Kong 2002, 106 mins]

Ordinary Heroes

16 October: cinema 1

Few films have captured Hong Kong’s social movements as vividly as Ann Hui’s award-winning film as it follows a group of ordinary characters – ranging from a fishergirl through to a councilman – as they show courage and resilience against all odds, detailing their unfulfilled dreams and personal disenchantment. Cast includes Anthony Wong, so impressive in Johnny To’s stunning 2006 crime epic Exiled. [Dir Ann Hui, Hong Kong 1999, 128 mins]

Notes to editors:

With thanks to Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (www.hketolondon.gov.hk) and the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society for their co-operation in making the films available, and to Applause, Panorama Distributions, Celestial, MVP, Man 5 Productions, Golden Scene, Wide Vision, Universe, BMA and HK Film Archive for their support.

This London season at the ICA forms part of a Europe wide programme of film festivals celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997. The HK Film Panorama was set up to present films produced between 1997 and 2007, demonstrating the key role of Hong Kong in the world film industry. HK is the third largest film production centre in the world, and HK actors and directors have been successful Hollywood - and some Hollywood directors are inspired by the work of HK directors. The HK Film Panorama comprises a mix of some old favourites and recent productions. It has already visited Graz, Hamburg, Brussels, Antwerp, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Geneva, Vienna and Berlin, and will also visit Madrid (Oct 07) and Munich (Feb 08).

For further information on the screenings including times and prices please visit: www.ica.org.uk

KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL! UPDATE SOON!

Barbican will be hosting 'The Korean Film Festival' this year between Friday 2nd to Thursday 8th November.

THE LONDON KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL 07 Friday 2 to Thursday 8 November
Barbican Film is delighted to present this year's London Korean Film Festival in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, through the Korean Cultural Centre and the Korea Culture and Content Agency. A dazzling showcase of Korean cinema, this week-long festival highlights the quality and diversity of Korean film and offers a cinematic insight into contemporary Korean culture. This year's festival includes Cannes 2007 favourite Breath (Soom) from acclaimed filmmaker Kim Ki-duk (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring); films from the Korean Film Archive and a day of Korean Animation for all the family, where young viewers can take part in themed workshops and costume play activities. The festival is also delighted to welcome the director Park Chan-wook (Old Boy) who will present a retrospective of his work including his latest film I'm a Cyborg but that's OK (Saibogujiman kwenchana). The London Korean Film Festival also includes the best Korean films of recent years including A Dirty Carnival (2006 Dir. Yoo Ha) and The War of Flower (2006 Dir. Choi Dong-hoon). The full programme will be available in October.

LONDON FILM FESTIVAL ON ITS WAY!

London Film Festival – Pre-Festival Round-up

This year’s The Times BFI 51^st London Film Festival’s full programme includes 184 features and 133 shorts as well as a host of screen talks, masterclasses and live events.

Opening the Festival on Thursday 17 October is the UK premiere of David Cronenberg’s EASTERN PROMISES with Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts and Vincent Cassel, whilst Wes Anderson closes the Festival on November 1 with the UK premiere of THE DARJEELING LIMITED, starring Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody.

Both films have been garnering a lot of interest all over the world, with Eastern Promises receiving rave reviews from both press screening in London and public screenings at the Toronto Film Festival.

The LFF is also host to a number of Galas and Screening in the square brining together some of the most respected and challenging filmmakers of today together: From Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion winner Ang Lee’s LUST, CAUTION, to renowned director of ‘Russian Ark’ Alexander Sokurov’s ALEXANDRA, Abdellatif ,from director François Ozon, the director of last year’s intensely humane ‘TIME TO LEAVE’ ; ANGEL based on the novel by Elizabeth Taylor, to Sean Penn’s INTO THE WILD, Ermanno Olmi ,from director Michael Haneke his intensely anticipated remake of his own title FUNNY GAMES, ,to the glorious madness of Takeshi Kitano in GLORY TO THE FILMMAKER!, from Andrew Dominik’s THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD), to Todd Hayness’ intriguing I’M NOT THERE and Nobuhiro Yamashita’s THE MATSUGANE POTSHOT AFFAIR . Audiences will also discover debut feature directors including: Céline Sciamma (WATER LILIES), Rodrigo Plá (LA ZONA), Shivajee Chandrabhushan (FROZEN) and Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud (PERSEPOLIS).

As always London film festival will also be surrounded by special events, screenings and master talks. Giving both the cinephiles and the casual audiences the chance to learn, understand and question more about their favourite films and filmmakers, the festival will include events and classes from directors as diverse as Wes Anderson to Robert Rodriguez. Other expected guests include David Cronenberg, Naomi Watts, Cristian Mungiu, Sienna Miller, Andrew Dominik, Tang Wei, Ang Lee, Jason Schwartzman, Julian Schnabel, Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Jan Svĕrák, Michael Moore, Asif Kapadia, Halle Berry, Susanne Bier, Sean Penn, Michael Pitt, Todd Haynes, Casey Affleck, Tamara Jenkins, Carlos Reygadas, Esther Robinson, Amy Adams, James Marsden, Jason Reitman and Kevin Lima.

Celebrating restorations from archives around the world, Treasures from the Archives showcases features and shorts including: the magnificent ENAMORADA, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and extraordinary, neglected classic KILLER OF SHEEP. The big screen will also come to Trafalgar Square for two nights, ablaze with archive films that celebrate London as one of the world’s great cinematic cities, including Alfred Hitchcock’s BLACKMAIL.

All in all this seems like an intensely interesting and packed to the brims year for the festival If you’d like to get an idea of some of the must-sees of the festival, continue reading for the monsters & Critics’ choice of Top 10 titles to see at The Times Bfi London Film Festival.

TOP TEN MUST-SEES FOR THIS YEAR’S LONDON FILM FESTIVAL:

This is a list intended for those who already have chosen a few titles but would also like to take a chance and see others which they might not know much about. The list isn’t in order in importance but rather in order of appearance on the festival website.

1) 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days (Director: Cristina Mingu): This year’s Palme D’or winner, this Romanian film depicts a harrowing portrait of an illegal abortion in Communist-era Romania. Although the subject matter is grim, this low-budget film achieves a sense of social realism not seen on the screen since the heyday of Mike Leigh and Ken Loach.

2) The Band's Visit (Director: Eran Kolirin): Raising more than a few eyebrows when playing in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, Eric Kolirin’s debut is a highly infectious, warm and joyful affair sure to win the hearts of any audience member who watches it. Focusing on the story of a small Egyptian police band that comes to Israel in the early 1990s to perform at an Arab cultural centre in Petach Tikva, the film balances wide farce with wit and emotion , creating an undeniably tempting concoction.

3) The Edge Of Heaven (Director: Fatih Akin): Fatih Akin burst onto the European movie scene with his shocking and intense Turco-German drama Against The Wall (Gegen Die Wand). With this multi-layered, intricately plotted drama about the story of a Turkish man travels to Istanbul to find the daughter of his father's former live-in prostitute girlfriend confirms that he is one of the names to watch. The film is a blueprint for economy and precision in film-making with each scene, each line and each shot counting towards the end result.

4)Grace Is Gone (Director: James C. Strouse): Last year, filmgoers experienced James C. Strouse’s writing in Steve Buscemi’s Lonesome Jim. This year they get to experience his debut feature. A stunning central performance from John Cusack as Stanley Phlilps, a father of two whose soldier wife gets killed in Iraq, Grace Is Gone is an eloquent, touching look at the impact of war on one average family.

5) In Memory Of Me (Director: Saverio Contanzo) : Saverio Contanzo’ s first film , Private , was a stunning story of a Palestinia family trapped in their house by Israeli soldiers. His second, In Memory Of Me , continues Contanzo’s ability to create large-scale drama in small-scale locations by telling the story of Andrea whose quest to find himself leads him into being accepted by a small Jesuit seminary isolated on an island near Venice. To reveal anymore would ruin the joy of experience Saverio Contanzo’s film, with patterns, dynamics and stories slowly but surely exposing themselves through the routines and the training at the seminary under the ever-watchful and stern eye of the Father Superior.

6) In Prison All My Life (Direcotr: Marc Evans) : In a year that is exceptionally strong in the documentaries category, In Prison All My Life, stands out as a compelling statement on the issue of death penalty in America.. Through the figure of William Francomme, a middle-class Englishman, who gets involved directly in the case of Mumia Abu-Jabul who has been in jail awaiting his execution since being sentenced in 1981 for the killing of a police officer. A thoughtful, insightful affair, In Prison All My Life, shows why documentaries continue to be one of the strongest arms of both cinema in general and film festivals.

7) The Trap (director: Srdan Golubovic) : A modern day film noir as well as an updating of ‘Crime And Punishment’ this tense drama ; adapted from the novel by Nenad Teofilovic, rests on a monumental performance by Melina Pota as Mladen who is forced to take extreme measures in order to obtain the 26,000 Euros for an operation to save his son.

8) Saturno Contro (Director: Ferzan Ozpetek): A group of friends, now edging towards their 40s, have managed to remain a tight knit group throughout the changes in their lives. However, their solidarity is threatened by the shocking circumstances they experience when one of them is suddenly taken ill. Returning to familiar ground, Ferzan Ozpetek weaves a tale of close-knit friends and creates wholly believable characters who reactions always stay this side of interesting.

9) Planet Terror (Director: Robert Rodriguez): Yes, it might be coming out in cinemas everywhere soon but this might be your only chance to catch something so outrageous and so cult within the oeuvre of The Times Bfi 51^st London Film Festival. Literally a love letter to all the gore-soaked films of the 70’s, Planet Terror is a disgusting, gory, unbelievable and funny ride that once seen you will never, ever forget.

10) Tuya’s Marriage (Director: Wang Quan An) : One of the unforeseen pleasures of this year's Berlinale, Golden Bear-winning Tuya's Marriage is the story of one woman's struggle to support her family, set against the backdrop of a disappearing way of life.. An enjoyable slice-of-life drama suffused with gentle humour, the film focuses on Tuya, a young Mongolian woman who reluctantly aggress to divorce her incapacitated husband and see new suitors but with one condition: the man who marries her will look after her old husband Bater as well as her family. As she sees one suitor after next and fails to find someone, her drunken but kind-hearted neighbor Sen’ge watches on.

UPDATE:

The BFI 51^st LONDON FILM FESTIVAL BOOKING PERIOD STARTS

From the 29^th September, the London Film Festival will be open for public bookings! Now is your chance to enjoy this year’s many Gala’s and First-Time screenings. Tickets can be booked by one of the two easy methods: By visiting the festival website at www.lff.org.uk or by calling 0207 928 32 32.

Due toLondon Film Festival being first and foremost a public film festival, it means that you, the public can actually buy tickets to attend huge glitzy premieres, as well as having the opportunity to see future award-winning films and world cinema gems before they go on general release. Last year film such as ‘HALF NELSON’ , ‘LAST KING OF SCOTLAND’ and ‘THE LIVES OF OTHERS’ were first screened at the London Film Festival before anywhere.

Remember though a lot of screening sell-out very quickly! So you have to be quick off the mark to catch the tickets!

Enjoy the festival!

RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL NOW ON!

The U.k.'s premier independent film festival 'Raindance' is once again on! Starting on 25th September with wonderful 'Weirdsville' and closing off on 7th October with gus Van Sant's new film 'Paranoid Park' the festival is aiming to bring the best of independent cinema to the U.K.
As part of the festival, Raindance is also screening a number of new and unknown titles from Asia: Some of the highligts include 'M' ; described as a Belle Du Jour for the internet age, 'Bakushi: The Incredible Lives Of The Rope Masters', a documentary about the performers of a strange erotic art form known as Bakushi, 'It's Only Talk' ; Ryuchi Hiroki’s second collaboration with the winning team of actress Shinobu Terajima and screenwriter Haruhiko Arai about a woman suffering from depression and finally Blitzkrieg Bop: a surreal, mad-cap Japanese gangster flick.
There are still tickets available to all the remaining screening so hurry!
More info can be found at:
www.raindance.co.uk


P.s.: Tonight is the last chance to see 'La Antenna'. An Argentinian sci-fi flick that is simply out of this world. Fans of classic anime such as 'Ghost In The Shell' and 'Akira' as well as Fritz Lang, Tim Burton and Terry Gilliam fans should pay heed. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

REMAKE TIME: ONE MISSED CALL

The trailer for the remake of 'One Missed Call' is finally online. Directed by Eric Valette (who was behind the French horror film ''Malefique' a few years back), 'One Missed Call' is a remake of the Takashi Miike directed horror film of the same name from 1999. The film was very succesful both in Japan and worldwide and even inspired two more sequels!
So it is no surprise to see it being re-made for an Hollywood audience. The question that remains is: Will it be worth it?

Link for the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x46VHO3T0m8

COMPETITION RESULTS!

Our DVD giveaway competition is now over. Thanks to all those who entered.
The winners are:
Edward Ashby
Anthony Antoniou
Nick Taylor

If you haven't already e-mailed us your address, please do so. The DVD's will be on their way to you as soon as possible. Many thanks to Cine Asia and Premier Asia who made this exciting event possible.

Competition Time: Celebrating All Asia

Hello Folks;

A great competition to celebrate the release of two wonderful films: 'The Duelist' and 'Dragon Tiger Gate' We have x3 copies of 'Dragon Tiger Gate' courtesy of Cine Asia
and x3 copies for 'Duelist', courtesy of Premier Asia.
3 Lucky winners will win a copy of each movie. And all you have to do win is answer a simple question:
What is the name of the upcoming movie from Wilson Yip that re-unites him yet again with Donnie Yen and his character Inspector Ma?
Please send all e-mails to: evrimersoy@gmail.com using the subject line : 'Competition'.
The competition will end 31st August Midnight.
Winners will be announced in a post here 3rd September.

Good Luck!


Dragon Tiger Gate:HE LATEST ACTION-ADVENTURE FROM "HERO" STAR DONNIE YEN Action superstar Donnie Yen (Seven Swords; Hero; Blade II) blasts back on to the screen in inimitable fashion as both star and action director in one of the most highly anticipated Hong Kong movies in recent years, DRAGON TIGER GATE.

Released on DVD on 25th June 2007, DRAGON TIGER GATE comes packed with over two hours of extra features including behind-the-scenes featurettes and interviews with the film's stars and director.

Based on the popular and long running Hong Kong comic book Oriental Heroes by Wong Yuk-Long, and co-starring Nicholas Tse (New Police Story) and Shawn Yue (Diary; Initial D; the Infernal Affairs trilogy), Yen's latest is a gratuitous celebration of martial arts excess and uber-cool whiplash style.

Created by two martial arts masters as a haven for orphans who have become caught up in the nefarious underworld of the Triads and street gang violence, the Dragon Tiger Gate Martial Arts Academy is a lone, shining beacon of virtue in a city ravaged by corruption. Making their own separate ways in this unscrupulous society are two estranged step-brothers, Dragon Wong (Donnie Yen) and Tiger Wong (Nicholas Tse), each the son of one of the Academy's co-founders and both possessing their father's considerable combat skills. While Tiger has followed a suitably righteous path and remained with the school, Dragon has begun working for a local gang leader, his adoptive father Ma Kun (Chen Kuan-tai). Their paths cross when Tiger finds himself in possession of an icon belonging to Ma Kun and refuses to give it back. This conflict is soon overshadowed, however, when a deadly masked warlord known only as Shibumi targets both Ma Kun and the Academy's remaining master, Wong Jianglong (Wah Yuen). Aided by Academy newcomer, the nunchaku-wielding Turbo (Shawn Yu), Tiger resolves to help his master. But even the combined might of Tiger and Turbo proves to be no match for Shibumi and they are forced to rely on the only fighter strong enough to take on this new threat. But first, Dragon will have to come to terms with his past…

Utilising groundbreaking wirework, cutting edge CGI, traditional kung fu gymnastics and innovative camerawork to keep the action flowing, DRAGON TIGER GATE is a full-on crowd-pleaser that never lets up, and one that is guaranteed to leave fight fans fully sated.

DRAGON TIGER GATE (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£16.99) by Cine-Asia on 25th June 2007. Special Features include: "Making of" featurette; Pre-Production featurette; Shooting Diaries; four location featurettes; deleted scenes; trailer gallery; interviews with Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue, Dong Jie, Li Xiao-Ran and Wilson Yip; Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 audio options; chapter index.

THE Duelist: Loosely based on an original manga by Bang Hak-gi and set during Korea's late Chosun Dynasty era, acclaimed Korean filmmaker Lee Myung-Se's (Nowhere To Hide: Bitter And Sweet) innovative and visually impressive reinvention of martial arts genre conventions, DUELIST, is a ravishingly shot and brilliantly choreographed tale of intrigue and romance now coming to DVD, courtesy of Premier Asia.

It is a time of social and political upheaval in Korea. Amidst the chaos, the Minister of Defence, Piljoon Song is plotting to eradicate all those who oppose him, thereby assuming complete control of the armed forces and, in effect, the country itself. Meanwhile, the economy has been thrown into disarray by the introduction of vast amounts of counterfeit money.

Charged with investigating the source of the counterfeiting operation are Detective Namsoon, a young female officer, and her partner Detective Ahn. In an attempt to solve the case, Namsoon goes undercover adopting a variety of guises in order to infiltrate the criminal underworld. The mystery deepens, however, when one by one the prime suspects in the investigation wind up dead.

The key to solving the mystery appears to be an enigmatic, handsome swordsman known only as Sad Eyes, whom Namsoon repeatedly encounters during the course of her inquiries.

Despite appearing to be on opposite sides of the law, they inexplicably find themselves romantically drawn to each other and proceed to engage in a game of cat-and-mouse resulting in a series of duels that merely serve to strengthen their mutual feelings of infatuation and professional respect. But as they each struggle to reconcile the conflict between love and duty, Namsoon discovers the truth behind Sad Eyes' identity and it becomes all too apparent that their fate can only be decided by one final duel.

Taking visual inspiration from the works of artists Matisse and Mondrian (specifically the pieces "Dance" and "Manhattan" respectively) and basing the fight choreography on rhythms and movements more associated with the tango and ballet than with kung fu and swordplay, in DUELIST Lee Myung-Se has created a uniquely artistic and visionary martial arts film unlike anything seen before.

DUELIST (cert. 12) will be released on DVD as a two disc special collector's edition (£19.99) by Premier Asia on 2nd July 2007. Over two hours of special features include: a making of documentary; an interview with director Lee Myung Sae; featurettes on the editing, music and visuals of the film; behind the scenes interviews and footage of the cast and a promotional gallery. The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with a choice of Korean Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 sound tracks and optional English subtitles.

New York Korean FF

New Yorkers have been given the opportunity to binge on Asian movies over the last couple of months with the NY Asian Film Festival followed by the Asian American International Film Festival, and the feast doesn't stop there. August 21 sees the opening of the NY Korean Film Festival, with a line up featuring some of the latest and greatest Korean flicks from A Dirty Carnival to You Are My Sunshine, Radio Star to Bloody Tie. Director of 200 pound Beauty Kim Yong-hwa will be in attendance for the screenings of his movie, plus there's a horror day, shorts screenings and a retrospective of master Im Kwon-taek. More info over at the festival site...