Fantasia 2011: Ciné-Asie Presents 10 Korean Films Amongst Other Special Events

Fantasia International Film Festival recently send us over information regarding the Cine-Asie Program that is taking place during the festival.

Press Release:

Ciné-Asie is proud to present a series of inspiring and diverse cinematic-cultural events in celebration of the 15th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival. Ciné-Asie, a Montreal based non-profit media organization, will be sponsoring screenings of 10 recent Korean films as part of the 2nd Korean Film Spotlight, as well as hosting a Master Class on Action Cinema, an East-Asian Calligraphy Workshop, and a Korean traditional 5 Drum Performance.

As part of this event, three of the most intriguing contemporary Korean directors will be in Montreal to present their newest films at Fantasia: Ryoo Seung-wan (CRYING FIST, CITY OF VIOLENCE), will unveil his gritty crime thriller THE UNJUST, starring Ryoo Seung-beom and Hwang Jung-min. Lee Joon-ik (THE KING AND THE CLOWN), also acting as a member of the jury for the main competition section at Fantasia, arrives in town with his latest historical epic parody BATTLEFIELD HEROES. Last but certainly not least, Lee Hae-young (LIKE A VIRGIN) will present FOXY FESTIVAL, a smart comedy about sexual secrets and desire.

Five additional feature films by talented first-time directors will also be screened for the very first time in Montreal: BLEAK NIGHT (Yoon Sung-hyun); HAUNTERS (Kim Min-suk), a paranormal thriller; HELLO GHOST (Kim young-tak), an irreverent yet big-hearted comedy starring Cha Tae-Hyun (MY SASSY GIRL); INVASION OF ALIEN BIKINI (Oh Young-doo), a contemporary Korean genre hybrid blending science fiction, comedy and action. Rounding out the selection is PETTY ROMANCE (Kim Jeong-hoon), a quirky and enjoyable spin on the romantic comedy genre. Also joining the list are two impressive shorts: NIGHT FISHING by Park Chan-wook (OLDBOY) and Park Chan-kyong, shot entirely on iPhones and recipient of a Jury Prize and Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival 2011, as well as GHOST (Dahci Ma), straight from competition at this year’s Cannes, about a starving man's imagination getting bigger in an empty house.

EVENTS

Currently at the forefront of the action cinema wave in Korea, director Ryoo Seung-wan will lead a Master Class on Action Cinema on July 16 at 3pm, revealing an insider’s look on his creative and directorial processes. On July 30 at 3pm, an East-Asian Calligraphy Workshop will be led by three Asian community calligraphy artists. Both events are open to all and free of charge. Thirdly, a poetic and spectacular traditional Korean 5 drums performance led by Montreal’s Korean Folk Dance Association will be performed prior to the screening of director Lee Joon-ik's film, BATTLEFIELD HEROES, on July 31 at 6:10 pm at Concordia’s Hall Theatre.

In light of the last year's success, Ciné-Asie will once again co-host an industry luncheon in partnership with Fantasia. Aimed at media and cinema industry professionals, the event will provide a platform for networking as well as the exchange of knowledge on Asian and independent cinema.

The above Korean film spotlight and cultural events are sponsored by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, Fantasia and CINEASIE Creatives Inc.


ABOUT CINÉ-ASIE

Founded in 1996 by distinguished visual media artist Mi-Jeong Lee, Ciné-Asie aims to foster and encourage cross-cultural dialogue between Canada and Asia, as well as support the creation of independent works by Canadian filmmakers. The organization’s director Mi-Jeong Lee has been actively supporting Asian film-related events for the last 15 years. In 2010, Ciné-Asie also reactivated its own film festival, AmérAsia, to support Asian-Canadian cinema.