Stream K-Dramas at OnDemandKorea

[Local and Foreign Films With English Subtitles]

■ Arahan (2004)
Saturday at noon
Seoul Selection Bookstore

"Arahan" is a comical action film that combines Hong Kong martial arts with "The Matrix"-style computer graphics. The film, directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, takes its story from the children's animation "Maruchi Arachi", about two Taekwondo-fighting superheroes protecting the world from evil. The crime-fighting duo is played in the film by popular actress Yun So-i and the director's younger brother, Ryu Seung-bom. Ryu plays Sang-hwan, a young policeman who meets up with Chilson, a group of senior citizens with Taoist superpowers and the beautiful Eui-jin (Yun). Sang-hwan begins to cultivate the incredible spiritual energy in himself. The film is filled with characters flying through the air, smashing through walls and moving objects with their "ki" (energy), all done with the drama and the sheer coolness of comic strip panels. The film also riffs on past Kung-fu flicks, especially Jet Li in "Once Upon a Time in China" and Bruce Lee, as well as the Wachowski Brothers, while giving them its own spin. Tickets: 3,000 won. On DVD. Located near Anguk Station on subway line 3. Details: (02) 734-9539 or www.seoulselection.com.

-Joon Soh

■ Pusan International Film Festival
Oct. 7-15
Three venues in Pusan

A total of 226 films from around the world will be screened at Asia's biggest film event. This year's festival will have a special section on German and Indonesian films. Some of the films to be shown at PIFF include "2046" by Wong Gar Wai, "Land of Plenty" by Wim Wenders, "Letters to Ali" by Clara Law, "Chuhunggulsi (The Scarlet Letter)" by Daniel Byun, "Head On" by Fatih Akin and "The Intruder" by Claire Denis, as well as films from China, Israel and Argentina. Details: www.piff.org.

Advertisement

❎ Try Ad-free