If you’re a fan of film in 2020, about the only phrases you’ve heard more often than ‘physical distancing’ and ‘flatten the curve’ are ‘online’ and ‘film festival.’ Not to be outdone, the always excellent Korean Film Festival in Australia are offering their 2020 program entirely online – and free!
The 18 films on offer are all from this year and 2019, covering everything from the bittersweet coming of age film The House of Us through to the broader comedy of the animal buddy film Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP.
Still, even with the masses of time #isolife affords us, you still need to save time. So, here’s a list of some of my favourite picks based on a winning combination of previous viewings, fan enthusiasm and hope.
You can catch all of these films at koffiaonline.com from 29 October through to 5 November. Check the site for times. All of them are free: you just need to sign up.
The Man Standing Next
Joining the ranks of A Taxi Driver, The Spy Gone North and 1987: When the Day Comes, director Woo Min-ho’s THE MAN STANDING NEXT (남산의 부장들) is the latest period political piece to tackle a controversial subject. Indeed, the presidency of Park Chung-hee (played here by Lee Sung-min) remains divisive to this day. A slickly produced snapshot of a moment in time that remains divisive to this day. An excellent cast and beautiful photography lift this above the average bear. Read the full review.
My Punch-Drunk Boxer
Another contemporary South Korean film from an actor-director. Jung Hyuk-ki (Romance in Seoul) tells the story of former boxing champ Byeong-Goo (A Taxi Driver‘s Um Tae-Goo) intent on making a comeback despite his CTE diagnosis. It also stars the singular-named Hyeri (formerly of K-pop group Girls’ Day) in his support squad.
Kim Ji-young, Born 1982
Based on the excellent 2016 novel by Cho Nam-Joo, this is a good chance to catch a film that you may have missed during its brief run in cinemas. Ostensibly about indoctrinated misogyny in South Korea, there’s a universality to the titular Kim Jiyoung’s experience as she faces cumulative and systemic aggressions that determine her fate.
Forbidden Dream
It wouldn’t be a Korean film festival without a bit of historical drama. This one follows its debut at NYAFF 2020. From The Last Princess director Hur Jin-ho, it follows the historical figure of Sejong the Great (Han Suk-kyu), king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea, and the relationship he fostered with his greatest scientist, Jang Yeong-sil (the seemingly ubiquitous Choi Min-sik).
Baseball Girl
Look, I’m just a sucker for a sports film, okay? Like Kim Ji-young, Born 1982, this is another film tackling endemic prejudice in society. Like the short-lived US series Pitch, it’s the story of Joo Soo-in (A Quiet Dream‘s Lee Joo-youn) who is determined to become the first female baseball player to join a professional team.
Read more coverage of South Korean cinema from the silent era to festivals and other contemporary releases. Plus go beyond Korea with more film from Asia in Focus.
