Korean Cinema in the spotlight at the Durban International Film Festival

The 27 th Durban International Film Festival, taking place from 14 to 25 June, will present a focus on the cinema of Korea. With the support of the Korean Embassy, five Korean films will appear at the festival and the selection will highlight the diversity and excellence of contemporary Korean cinema.

“The Durban International Film Festival has, for some years now, provided the only opportunity in the country to see Korean films. Korea is really one of the most vibrant and exciting film-producing countries in the world right now, so we are very pleased to place a spotlight on the fascinating cinema of Korea,” says festival programmer Nashen Moodley.

“We are especially pleased that director Cho Chang-ho will attend the festival to present his outstanding debut film The Peter Pan Formula which will appear In Competition.”

The Peter Pan Formula is a lyrical coming-of-age film about a teenager who must find his own path in life after his mother ends up comatose after a suicide attempt.

Also in the selection of Korean films is Kim Jee-woon's A Bittersweet Life , a stylish neo-noir about a ruthless enforcer whose romantic interest in his boss's girlfriend leads to dire consequences.

Park Chan-wook, whose Joint Security Area won the festival's best film prize in 2001 and whose Old Boy played at the festival in 2005, will be represented by the final chapter in his Vengeance Trilogy, Sympathy For Lady Vengeance .

Suitable for older children, Marathon by Chung Yoon-chul is a heartwarming film about an autistic boy who overcomes the odds to excel at running. A special screening of Marathon on 17 June will benefit the Action In Autism organization.

Also screening is the Korean/Chinese co-production Grain In Ear by Zhang Lu. Winner of the major prize at the Pusan International Film Festival, Grain In Ear is a gripping study of a woman who struggles to survive on the edges of society.

Programme booklets with the full screening schedule and synopses of all the films are available free at cinemas, Computicket, and other outlets. Full festival details can also be found on www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or by calling 031-2602506 or 2601650.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) the Durban International Film Festival is funded by National Film & Video Foundation, National Lottery Distribution Fund, HIVOS, Stichting Doen, and the City of Durban , with support from the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Korean Embassy, French Embassy, British Council, and a range of valued partners.

PUBLICIST: Versveld & Associates
TELEPHONE/FAX: +27 (0)31 201 1650
e-mail: sharlene@versfeld.co.za / Londeka.Mlawuza@ogilvy.co.za