[HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets

Jason Bechervaise explores the rise of colonial-era films for The Korea Times; Hangul Celluloid reviews Choi Dong-hoon's "Assassination"; KOBIZ highlights the success of films and dramas coming out of Jeollabuk-do Province; and KOFIC announces incredible rebates for foreign filmmakers.

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"Colonial era films dominate local screens"

Jason Bechervaise explores the popularity of colonial period films in modern Korean cinema by highlighting recent examples and reflecting on issues of nationalism: "The release of such films does indeed raise the question why now there is a potential market for such films. Sure, relations between Japan and Korea are precarious ― but this is nothing new. Perhaps, this is an avenue for which nationalism can be narrated in a manner that audiences of today can respond to".

...READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

[Review] "Assassination"

Paul Quinn reviews Choi Dong-hoon's 2015 film "Assassination" starring Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Jung-jae, Ha Jung-woo, Oh Dal-soo, Cho Jin-woong and Lee Kyung-young. "Even from its early stages, it's easy to see why "Assassination" was such a huge draw at the Korean box office. Sumptuous visuals combine with a gripping narrative to provide out-and-out entertainment, albeit rather overlong and somewhat lacking in character depth". The film, Choi's fifth, was released late July and claimed a little over 12.7 million admissions.

...READ ON HANGUL CELLULOID

"Meet the Ocean in ROARING CURRENTS"

Ha Jung-min has penned an informative feature here for KOBIZ that focuses on the films and dramas coming out of Jeollabuk-do Province, specifically from the Jeonju Studio Complex (founded in 2008). Filmmakers and studios are finding support from organisations like the Jeonju Film Commission and the popular Jeonju International Film Festival, but will this trend continue in 2016?

...READ ON KOBIZ

"Regulation Changes on '2016 KOFIC Location Incentive'"

South Korea does such an impressive job promoting itself on the world stage in so many sectors, and foreign filmmakers will now be able to enjoy as much as 25% cash back for coming to shoot in their country. "The total budget for foreign films has gone up to KRW 2.42 billion (approx. USD 2.4 million), 2.5 times compared to last year, for providing opportunities to much more producers".

...READ ON KOBIZ