Art and Culture

Now it's time for our final arts and culture segment of the week. Today, Michelle Kim tells us about a special screening at the Busan International Film Festival and a new film about Led Zeppelin.

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Hello Michelle

[Reporter : ] Hello Han-ul

So what do you have for us today[Reporter : ] Well, the Busan International Film Festival is heading towards its grand finale, but before the closing ceremony, I'd like to introduce to you one more movie that may catch your interest. Take a look.

This year's Busan International Film Festival offered up a screening of the North Korean film "Comrade Kim Goes Flying".
It was the film's first screening in the South and it may also be the last, as South Korea generally forbids all forms of media from the North.
Directed by Belgian filmmaker Anja Daelemans and British documentarian Nicholas Bonner and North Korean director Kim Gwang-hun, the film tells the story of a female coal miner whose dream is to become a trapeze artist in Pyongyang.
Standing in her way is an arrogant male acrobat who refuses to believe that "Comrade Kim" has the right stuff -- until he falls in love with her.
The film's British director is known for his 2002 documentary about North Korea, "The Game of Their Lives", and was at the festival to offer his insight into the film.

[Interview : Nicholas Bonner, Director] "The intention of the film was girl power. It's a story of one girl fulfilling her dream and we didn't want to cover war, politics, violence and the whole lot. It was basically to create this wonderful world where this young girl goes and achieves her dream".

Bonner said that he and his colleagues faced a number of challenges in putting the film together.

[Interview : Nicholas Bonner, Director] "We were involved with the North Korean film industry and that's where it went from start to finish. And we had problems writing the script. There was more cultural differences, trying to get what is funny in North Korea also had to be funny for a wider audience. But once we got through that and eventually found a film studio that we were happy to make the film, it was fairly normal".

The film's Wednesday screening attracted a number of South Korean movie-goers who were curious to see a film from the North, and the film will screen again at a smaller venue today.

Looks like an interesting film. and it sounds as though a lot of people in Busan wanted to see it.

[Reporter : ] It definitely drew lots of moviegoers. As you saw in the video, around 80 percent of the 800 seats available at the theater were occupied.
And according to reports from Seoul media outlets, it seems like the audience enjoyed it.
Though the film is likely to screen in Europe, it remains to be seen whether the film will screen here in South Korea, because all media from the North is blocked here in the South.

Well, at least people in Busan will have one more chance to check it out today when it has its second screening at the festival. And now, what else do you have for us today[Reporter : ] The members of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin and the son of the band's late drummer John Bonham all appeared together for the premiere of their new concert film "Celebration Day". Take a look.

British rockers Led Zeppelin hit the red carpet in New York on Tuesday for the premiere of their concert film, which is based on the band's 2007 charity concert in London.
Singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones were joined at the premiere by Jason Bonham, the son of the band's late drummer John Bonham.
Through the film, fans will be able enjoy the band, one of rock's most successful acts, all over again.

[Interview : Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin guitarist] "People will get a chance to see the communication between us on stage and the passion that we have. I think that's conveyed very well within the film".

Directed by Dick Carruthers, "Celebration Day" documents a 2007 charity concert that was held in tribute to Atlantic Records' founder Ahmet Ertegun.
It was the band's first gig together since the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980, which prompted the band to break up.
The concert at London's O2 Arena was performed with Bonham's son Jason playing the drums in place of his father.
Famous musicians who said they were long-time Led Zeppelin fans were at the premiere as well, including Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley, who talked about his first encounter with Led Zeppelin.

[Interview : Paul Stanley, Kiss guitarist] "It was a revelation to see a band that great. And to actually know the guys now and share memories and talk of the future and the past it's awesome".

"Celebration Day" will be released on 1,500 screens in more than 40 countries, and will be followed by an audio and video release on November 19th.

I'm sure this is one film Led Zeppelin fans will not want to miss.

[Reporter : ] I'm sure not. You can expect to see the film in theaters for a limited time only starting on the 17th so reserve those tickets fast. You can see where the film will be screening by going to the Led Zeppelin website.

That's good to know. And now, to wrap things up, you have the events bulletin for us[Reporter : ] I do. Today's bulletin features three concerts that will be held in December. Sting, Ulala Session and Kim Yun-woo will warm your hearts during the cold winter month. Take a look.

[Reporter : ed: jenny] This bulletin features 3 events.

Sting will be visiting Korea for the fourth time for a concert at Olympic Park's Gymnastics Stadium on December 5th. Sting will perform hit songs from his solo albums, as well as songs from his years as the lead vocalist of The Police.

Ulala Session, the winner of season three of "Superstar K", will perform a Christmas concert for fans looking for a fun and funky holiday evening. With their vocal talents and hot dance moves, the four band members will rock out from December 22nd to 25th at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall.

Lovebirds planning for the Christmas holidays might want to check out the concert by balladeer Kim Yun-woo, who will be offering 4 days of beautiful music and a bit of his trademark humor in a series of concerts at Olympic Park's Olympic Hall from December 22nd to 25th.

Thank you for the update

[Reporter : ] My pleasure.

OCT 12, 2012

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr