The Korean Film Festival comes to Montreal

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In celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Korea, a selection of 10 outstanding Korean films will be showcased in Montreal from July 4th to 10th, 2013.

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Ciné-Asie, along with the major support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, presents the first edition of the Korean Film Festival in Canada – KFF – which will be launched in five Canadian cities, highlighting Montreal in partnership with the Cineplex Odeon Forum and Mosaicultures Internationales Montréal at the Montreal Botanical Garden (an event that expects nearly two million visitors this summer), the KFF anticipates to receive a large number of visitors for its first edition. For the first time, the KFF website is composed in three different languages: English, French, and Korean.

The KFF will present ten full length feature films and five short films.

The feature films are either the highest grossing movies in recent years, totalling 7 to 13 million admissions in South Korea, or have gained international critical acclaims, winning significant awards. Among them include Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta" (Le grand prix at Venice 2012), "Miracle in Cell No.7" (over 12 million admissions in Korea, 2013), and "Masquerade" starring actor Lee Byung-hun (over 12 million admissions in Korea, 2012).  

There will be a highlight on two themes: a spotlight on rising star Ryu Seung-ryong, whose acting abilities allowed his roles to become well-received with the public in his starring films, and the director Bong Joon-ho, whose remarkable films, "The Host" (2006) and "Mother - 2009" (2009), invites viewers to watch it again and again. The film, "Mother - 2009", was chosen to represent South Korea for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards, while "The Host" recorded over 13 million admissions in Korea. Bong's upcoming film, "Snowpiercer" (2013), is scheduled for the North American release in August by Weinstein.

In partnership with Mise-en-Scene Short Film Festival (MSFF) in Korea, or better known as the "best short genre film festival", the KFF will showcase a selection of the five best short films from the MSFF.  

A Nationwide Festival

The Korean Film Festival is a traveling festival. Participating cities and films will change every year, allowing a wider audience the chance to discover the work of Korean artists in film and video. This year, the festival will travel through Regina, Calgary, and Edmonton, before settling in Ottawa and Montreal for its major events.

Montreal Venues:

Cineplex Odeon Forum (formerly AMC) – 2313 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal QC (Metro Atwater)

Info: (514) 907-1277 cineplex.com

Montreal Botanical Garden, Henry-Teuscher auditorium – 4101 Sherbrooke St. E. H1X 2B2 Montreal QC (Metro Pie-IX)

Info: (514) 872-1400 http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/access/botanical-garden  

Tickets: http://koreanfilm.ca/tickets/

- One movie: $10

- Master Pass (10 movies): $50

Tickets are also available on the websites

La Vitrine http://www.lavitrine.com/evenement/Festival_des_films_coreens

EventBrite http://kfftickets-es2.eventbrite.ca/?rank=1#

Tickets can also be purchased on-site at the KFF ticket booth at Cineplex Odeon Forum or Montreal Botanical Garden from July 2nd-10th between 2pm-8pm.  

Inquiries: (514) 564-0838

 

AGENDA

"Pieta" (2012)  – Quebec premiere

Directed by Kim Ki-duk

8 JULY 21h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum)

An aggressive man who works for loan sharks is one day confronted with a woman who claims to be his mother, and a mysterious relationship unravels between the two.

A remarkable twist on religion and passion. Winner of the Golden Lion Award  at the 2012 69th Venice International Film Festival; Best Film at the 2012 33rd Blue Dragon Film Awards; Best Director at the 2012 9th Dubai International Film Festival.

 

"A Werewolf Boy" (2012) – Quebec premiere

Directed by Jo Sung-hee

6 JULY 21h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum)

After moving to the countryside, a teenage girl befriends a "wolf boy" whom she later attempts to civilize, but neither she or others are aware of the beast hidden deep inside the wolf boy.

A brilliant rendition of a forbidden love story between a mortal and a supernatural being. Winner of Best New Director at the 2013 Baeksang Arts Awards

 

"Architecture 101" (2012) – Canadian Premiere

Directed by Lee Yong-ju

7 JULY 15h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum); 8 JULY 19h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden)

Ten years after their initial meeting in an architecture class, a young woman contacts an architect to build her dream house, reviving memories of a first love.

Director Lee Yong-ju's sweet nostalgic return to the film industry after the his horror film, Possessed. Winner of Best Screenplay; Nominated for Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best New Actor, Best New Actress, Best Music, and Best Supporting Actor awards at the 21st Buil Film Awards in 2012

Four films starring the actor Ryu Seung-ryong;

The different sides of Ryoo Seung-Yong, a prominent actor in current Korean cinema.

"Miracle in Cell No.7" (2013) – Canadian Premiere

Directed by Lee Hwan-gyeong

6 JULY 15h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum); 9 JULY 18h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum)

A mentally-challenged man who is falsely accused for murder befriends criminals while in prison and they help grant his wish of seeing his daughter again.

A family comedy film of a father's precious love for his daughter, with over 13 million box office and reaching the first place for ticket sales in the South Korean film history. Winners of the Grand Prize for Film and Most Popular Actress awards at 2013 Baeksang Arts Awards

 

"Masquerade" (2012) – Quebec premiere

Directed by Choo Chang-min

6 JULY 18h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum); 9 JULY 21h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum); 10 JULY 19h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden)

In fear of assassination, the king finds a lowly commoner to serve as a substitute for himself.

The extraordinary tale of how a commoner becomes King. A star-studded cast with Lee Byung-hun (G.I. Joe), Ryu Seung-ryong ("Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon"), and Han Hyo-joo ("Always"). Winner of Best Film and Best Director awards at the 2013 Baeksang Arts Awards

 

"Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon" (2012) – Quebec premiere

Directed by Kim Han-min

7 JULY 16h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden); 7 JULY 18h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum); 10 JULY 16h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden)

A brilliant archer battles in order to rescue his sister from the Qing army.

An action-filled battle of chase and archery. Director Kim Han-min's first film set in ancient times.

Winner of Best Actor, Best New Actress, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects at the 2011 Grand Bell Awards

 

"The Front Line" (2011)– Quebec premiere

Directed by Jang Hoon

6 JULY 16h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden); 8 JULY 16h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden);

8 JULY 18h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum)

Set during the Korean War, in a battle to determine the border between North and South Korea, soldiers struggle to fight in a war that has brought nothing but agony.

A close-up view of the bloody final battle of the Korean War. Screenplay written by Park Sang-yeon, the screenwriter of "JSA - Joint Security Area". Winner of Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best New Actor awards at the 2011 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards

 

Films Directed by Bong Joon-ho

MOTHER (2009) – Directed by Bong Joon-ho

7 JULY 21h45 (Cineplex Odeon Forum); 9 JULY 19h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden)

A mother begins her own investigation in an attempt to uncover the truth behind her son being accused of murder, and in the process becomes entangled in a series of mystifying events.

A bone-chilling illustration of how far a mother would go in the name of her son. An emotional ride with this dark film. Winner of Best Film and nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress at the 2010 Asian Film Awards; Winner of Best Film at the 2009 Blue Dragon Film Awards

"The Host" (2006) - Directed by Bong Joon-ho

6 JULY 16h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden); 9 JULY 16h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden)

On a seemingly calm and peaceful day in Seoul, a monster emerges from the Han River and begins terrorizing the people and destructing everything in its path.

Director Bong's ambitious project that became an international hit, breaking box office records and making its mark at major film festivals. Winner of Best Film at the 2006 Blue Dragon Film Awards; Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound at the 2006 Korean Film Awards

 

THE BEST SHORT FILMS FROM THE MISE-EN-SCENE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

"Beyond the Barrier of Genres"

The Best Shorts from MSFF – 7 JULY 19h00 (Montreal Botanical Garden)

The MSFF (Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival) brings together the most influential filmmakers in Korea, creating an opportunity for them to join forces to support emerging talent. The MSFF is distinguished by its presentation of categorizing original short films by genre. All selected films have received numerous international film prizes.

 

Feeling of Winning – Directed by Han Seung-hun

Year: 2011

Duration: 23min.

Young-hyeon and Jae-cheol have been bullied by classmate Chang-geun and his fellows. Young-hyeon resents being beaten by Chang-geun indiscriminately. Jae-cheol's goal is to try to get beaten less. To get out of this situation, they start to give full play to their imagination about their wish.

 

Love Games – Directed by Joung Yu-mi

Year: 2012

Duration: 16min.  

Lovers start games.

 

Invitation – Directed by Yoo Min-young

Year: 2011

Duration: 16min.

My husband died. I found a pair of shoes in his car.

 

"Ghost - Short" – Directed by Dahci Ma

Year: 2011

Duration: 10min.

A mysterious man is hiding out in an empty house. The man, who is wanted by the police, is caught up in a fantasy world brought on by extreme hunger and anxiety. However what he faces at the end is the darkest side of himself in this austere, deceptively simple short with an unnerving undercurrent of menace.

 

Forest – Directed by Um Tae-hwa

Year: 2012

Duration: 32min.

My friend falls into danger as a result of an insignificant action of mine. I want to believe that it wasn't intentional.

FILM SCHEDULE

MONTREAL from July 4 to 10

Opening Film  July 6, 2013

"Miracle in Cell No.7": (15:45 – 18:00) at Cineplex Odeon Forum

"The Host": (16:00 – 18:00) at Montreal Botanical Garden

 

The Best Short Films from the MSFF July 7, 2013

Montreal Botanical Garden: 19:00 - 20:40

 

Closing Film July 10, 2013

"Masquerade" (19:00 – 21:10) at Montreal Botanical Garden

Special Film Events (Montreal) ; Supported by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Montreal as a part of the 'Korean Week's events'

 

Avant-Première (free admission)

July 4, 2013 at Montreal Botanical Garden (Henry-Teuscher auditorium)

4101 Sherbrooke St. E.  Montreal, QC, H1X 2B2, Canada (Métro Pie-IX)

 

15:30-17:00 Seminar on the Perspective of Korean Culture and Language, with guest speakers:

  • Hun Bang, Artistic Director of Korean Culture and Arts

  • Myunghee Kim, Korean Study Professor at McGill University

  • Mi-Jeong Lee, Director of Korean Film Festival, Founder of Ciné-Asie

17:15-18:00 Cocktail

18:00-20:00 Film screening, Le Grand Chef (2007) directed by Jeon Yun-su

 

More information for the Korean Week in Montreal: Korea-Canada 50th Anniversary Blog

 

 

Other cities:

EDMONTON, REGINA, CALGARY from June 5 to 13

More information: Korea-Canada 50th Anniversary Blog

 

OTTAWA from June 26 to 29 at the Auditorium in the Canadian Film Institute

More information: cfi-icf.ca

 

 

The KFF 2013 is organized by Ciné-Asie with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ottawa.

 

The Korean Film Festival proudly announces main partners and sponsors: the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Montreal, Mosaicultures Internationales de Montreal, Montreal Botanical Garden, Montreal Olympic Park, Korean Film Council (KOFIC), HanCinema.net, Cineplex Odeon Forum, Nongshim, David's Tea, Canadian Film Institute Auditorium in Ottawa, CinéMagic, Lotte Entertainment, Finecut Films, Metropole Films Montreal, CJ Entertainment, Mongrel Media, Well Go USA, and Criterion Pictures.

 

 

ABOUT Ciné-Asie

Ciné-Asie is a Montreal-based non-profit organization that specializes in promoting Asian and Canadian media arts and cinema. Founded in 1996, Ciné-Asie aims to bridge the gap in film exchange between Canada and Asia. This is to support the works of independent Canadian producers and to promote intercultural exchange through cinema. Ciné-Asie hopes to continue to increase public awareness in Asian culture and film. www.cine-asie.ca

 

 

For more information/press access: www.koreanfilm.ca

Screeners are available upon your request.  

Press Contact:

IXION Communications (514) 495-8176

190A, av. de L'Épée, Montréal, QC H2V 3T2

 

Korean Film Festival in Canada

Anna Massé: presse@cine-asie.ca, +1 514-550-2272 (French)

Yulan Chen: press@cine-asie.ca, +1 514-261-6548 (English)