By One of my favorite living directors, Korean or otherwise, is Park Chan-Wook. His Vengeance Trilogy (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) is one of the most brilliant groups of thematically-connected films of all time, and I just generally love his work. So it’s very exciting that the man is getting a retrospective at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City from Thursday, February 28th until Sunday, March 3rd. The retrospective is made up of five of his feature films (including the upcoming Stoker) and three of his short films, which makes for a pretty good lineup. Park Chan-Wook himself will attend the screening of Stoker, and there will be a discussion with him afterwards. If there’s one screening in the series you should try to make, it’s that one.
As much as I love the Vengeance Trilogy and Joint Security Agency, though, I can’t help but wish that there were one or two more films on the list. I think I’m a Cyborg, but That’s Okay would be an excellent addition, since it is so much unlike his other films (and is great in its own right). Still, it’s a fine selection of films, and if you haven’t seen any of them, you really ought to do that, because they’re awesome.
More information about the retrospective can be found below.
Park Chanwook Retrospective @ MoMI
Thursday, February 28 to Sunday, March 3
Park Chanwook, a director, screenwriter, and producer, is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers on the international film circuit. To Celebrate the release of Stoker, his major directorial debut in Hollywood, The Korea Society and MoMI copresent a retrospective of his work. He debuted with ‘The Moon is What the Sun Dreams of’ in 1992, but he started to gain international recognition from the sensational movie ‘J.S.A.: Joint Security Area’ in 2000 which The Guardian praised it as “airy, subtle and playful, and showcases the best elements of modern Asian cinema.” In addition, the Vengeance trilogy garnered praise from the New York Times, “so much talent on display.” But above all ‘Old Boy’ would be the most famous and acclaimed film ever, achieving the Grand Jury Award at Cannes. Director Park is wellknown for the flamboyant colors and glitzy cinematography throughout his films.
Stoker
Thursday, February 28 @ 7:00 PM
2013, 98 min. Courtesy of Fox Searchlight. With Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode. The eagerly awaited new film by director Park Chanwook is an Englishlanguage thriller rife with the sort of style and atmosphere that makes his other movies nothing short of modern classics of the genre. This special screening, followed by a discussion with Park Chanwook.
Old Boy
Friday, March 1@ 7:00 PM
2003, 120 min. With Choi Minshik, Kang Hyejung, Yu Jitae, and Oh Dalsoo. Old Boy tells the story of a man who is locked in a room for over decade without knowing the reason, and after released from the cell, he tries to find the answer. Since it won ‘Grand Jury’ award at Cannes in 2004, it has been selected one of the best movies ever made by numerous prestigious film magazines and critics.
Shorts Program
Saturday, March 2 @ 3:00 PM
Never Ending Peace and Love
2003, 28 min. With Jihyeon Lee, Dalsu Oh. An illegal foreign worker is subject to peoples’ ignorance and indifference.
Cut (from Three Extremes)
2004, 30 min. With Kang Hyejung, Lee Byeongheon, Yeom JungAh. Young and rich, with a beautiful wife, he lacks nothing until an intruder appears in the night.
Night Fishing
2011, 33min. With Lee Junghyun, Oh Kwangrok. Winner of the Best Short FilmGolden Bear Award at Berlin International Film Festival 2011. Park Chanwook shot this film with an iPhone 4 with his brother/codirector Park Chankyoung.
J.S.A.:Joint Security Area
Saturday, March 2 @ 6:00 PM
2000, 108 min. With Kim Myeongsu, Lee Youngae, Lee Byunghun, Song Kangho. Based on the novel by Park Sangyeon, Joint Security Area is considered one of the bestmade films describing the political and military tension between North and South Korea.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
Saturday, March 3 @ 3:00 PM
2002, 121 min, with Song Kangho, Shin Hakyun, Bae Doona. Desperate to pay for his sister’s kidney operation. Ryu kidnaps his wealthy boss’ daughter. The kidnapping goes away, Ryu and his girlfriend struggle to run away from a father bent on vengeance.
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
Sunday, March 3 @ 6:00 PM
2005, 112 min. With Lee Youngae, Choi Minshik. Geumja is imprisoned for thirteen years for allegedly murdering a sixyearold boy. In prison, she wins over hell cell mates’ sympathies. When she’s released, she begins a meticulous plan for vengeance.
For more information, please click here: www.koreasociety.org/arts/film/ & http://www.movingimage.us/films/
Schedule March 1 3
Friday, March 1
Old Boy, 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 2
Park Chanwook Shorts Program, 3:00 PM
J.S.A.:Joint Security Area, 6:00 PM
Sunday, March 3
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, 3:00 PM
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, 6:00 PM
Location:
The Museum of Moving Image
3601 35th Avenue, Astoria (718) 7776888 website:http://www.movingimage.us/
From midtown, taxi or N/Q Train Outbound to 36th Avenue