[HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets

Film Stage lists director Hong Sang-soo's top ten foreign films, KoBiz's latest infographic tracks the country's most successful music films of all time, the 43rd edition of the Seoul Independent Film Festival (SIFF) has the biggest program schedule ever, and Daily NK discusses two of the top films from the recently concluded Annual North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival.

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"Hong Sang-soo's 10 Favorite Films"

In light of the recent screening of Hong Sang-soo's "On the Beach at Night Alone" (starring Kim Min-hee) in the United States, Jordan Raup, writing for The Film Stage, has pulled together a list of Hong's top ten films of all time. "The mix of films from across the world - although, curiously, none from his native land of South Korea - represent a cross-section of pioneering cinematic achievements, with most mirroring his approach of a modest production, yet poignant drama". The films listed are from Hong's most recent BFI/Sight & Sound poll.

...READ ON FILM STAGE

"Music In My Heart"

KoBiz's latest infographic charts the most successful music films in Korean cinema history. According to KoBiz writer Hwang Hee-yun, the power of music films in Korea started growing in the decade after the Irish independent film "Once" surpassed 200,000 admissions back in 2007. "Once" was actually recently re-released in Korea, and with the 200,000 admissions the film claimed ten years ago, the film is now the sixth highest-grossing music film in Korea.

...READ ON KOBIZ

"The 43rd Seoul Independent Film Festival to Offer Largest Program Schedule Ever"

The 43rd edition of the Seoul Independent Film Festival (SIFF) boasts the festival's largest program to date. The festival, which kicks off later this month, has become "one of Korea's most important outlets for discovering and promoting homegrown, independent filmmaking talent". In this article on KoBiz, Christopher Weatherspoon provides some details of the upcoming event's expanding lineup, including a discussion on the opening film, the Festival Competition, the Special Invitation, the New Choice, as well as the Special Screening sections. SIFF runs from November 30th to December 8th at the CGV Arthouse in Apgujeong, Indie Space, and the Seoul Art Cinema.

...READ ON KOBIZ

"Defector directors screen films at 7th Annual North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival"

The 7th Annual North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival took place earlier this month, a unique cinematic event designed specifically to showcase "the plight of defectors and reminding the world of the dire situation in the North". In this post on Daily NK, Kim Ga Young reports on two films from the festival, "Crocodiles in the Mekong" and "Why I Left Both Koreas": "Both Directors Park and Choi stressed the need for increased awareness and interest among South Koreans towards the plight of defectors", writes Kim. "These are the important first steps in healing the trauma of the past and welcoming them as vital constituents of our society. "

...READ ON DAILY NK