The best of Hallyuwood returns for a whopping 9th year as the Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) returns for 2018. With 22 films on offer, it represents Australia’s largest collection of South Korean cinema in one place.
Well, four places actually. Throughout August and September, KOFFIA will screen in Sydney (9-18 August), Brisbane(15-16 August), Melbourne (6-13 September) and Canberra (21-23). In addition to the films listed below, there’s a few we’ve already seen that the festival highlights for their Australian showcase: comedic drama Keys to the Heart, wrong man thriller Golden Slumber, gritty crime thriller Believer, buddy cop comedy Midnight Runners, found footage horror film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, and time travel love story Be With You.
The Reel Bits has long been a supporter of KOFFIA, having previously served as a media partner. We will continue to cover the festival as part of our Asia in Focus stream this year. For now, here’s 5 films we reckon you shouldn’t miss at this year’s festival. You can find the full program and purchase tickets from the official site at koffia.com.au.
Microhabitat
Coming off playing at NYAFF in competition, debut director Jeon Go-Woon’s Closing Night film explores the struggle inside us all: buy booze and smokes or pay the rent? A tragicomedy of dreams unfulfilled, principals tested, and friendships not being what they appear. Esom gives an award-worthy performance as the messy Miso. READ FULL REVIEW >>>
Little Forest (리틀 포레스트)
Kim Tae-ri from The Handmaiden does very little in the country and cooks a lot of food. What is there not to like about that? It’s actually a remake of two Japanese films from Junichi Mori, both of which were based on Daisuke Igarashi’s manga. READ FULL REVIEW >>>
A Taxi Driver (택시 운전사)
The Gwangju Democratic Movement gets a sharp new focus in this raw slice of history that Jang Hoon brings to life in a way that alternates between charming and gritty. Unlike certain world leaders, this film does not claim that there was blame to be had “on all sides,” instead squarely pointing a finger at the strong arm of the government and their ability to subvert the truth. As relevant and powerful today as it was over 30 years ago. If you missed it in Australian cinemas late last year, take the opportunity to visit this excellent film. READ FULL REVIEW >>>
A Haunting Hitchhike (히치하이크)
Jeong Hee-jae directorial debut follows the lonely, but hopeful, journey of one teenage girl seeking out her long-lost mother. The film won Jeong the special Audience Award at the Seoul International Women’s Film Festival.
Champion
Everybody loves a sports movie, right? The always watchable Ma Dong-Seok stars as an arm wrestler who dreams of being a champion, as the title would imply. After being kicked out of the tournament, he eventually makes his way home to Korea where he reconnects with his half-sister and her two kids.
