13th KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL
The 13th Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) returns to Sydney this year, with a program of 13 of the finest films from small arthouse films to action packed thrillers. Korean movies rarely have cinema releases in Australia and attending this film festival may be the only chance moviegoers have of watching Korean films on the big screen.
The film industry in Korea is one of the most active markets in the world where Korean moviegoers visited cinemas over 226 million times annually prior to the pandemic affecting cinematic attendances globally.
“We put our hearts and souls into selecting 13 Korean films of diverse genres especially after the Korean film industry was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last couple of years,” film festival Programmer Francis Lee explained. “We feel highly confident whether you are a film buff or not, that this year’s curation of 13 films will lead you to a kaleidoscopic cinematic journey encompassing the spectrum of human emotions.”
There’s films for all tastes – drama, romantic comedy, mystery, fantasy, and crime themed movies that will not only entertain but will also allow festival attendees to visually experience the Korean cultural differences with westernized countries. Most films screened are Australian premieres, many are award winning, and each is spoken in Korean with English subtitles.
Broker is the highly anticipated film that should garner much attention at the festival. This award-winning South Korean film came direct from Cannes to close this year’s Sydney Film Festival where it garnered a rapturous reaction from audiences. Audiences who missed it have another opportunity to watch this highly acclaimed film on the big screen.
The story delves on two men who run an illegal business of occasionally stealing newborn babies that are left in a church’s baby box and selling them on the adoption black market.
It’s business as usual until a young woman returns to reclaim her baby after abandoning him the previous night. Desiring the best for her child she then decides to tag along on a road trip with these men to interview the baby’s prospective parents.
“We wish KOFFIA will continue to serve as a platform on which more and more Australians will discover and enjoy the Korean way of storytelling, breathtaking cinematography, acting and many more that are resonating with global audiences,” concluded Lee.
HOT PICKS
SPECIAL DELIVERY – The opening night movie which centers on a junkyard employee who delivers anything unusual that the post office service won’t. A high octane action crime thriller that will have audiences at the edge of their seats.
SPIRIT WALKER – Imagine losing your memory and waking up in a different body every 12 hours continually forced to rediscover yourself! An award winning fantasy film.
TOXIC – Did the sale of millions of bottles of humidifier disinfectants that were sold in Korea result in the death of many people? An ER doctor unearths the truth. An enthralling drama mystery.
Aug 18 – 23. Event Cinema George St. $16 (full) – $12+bf(Conc) $40- 4 pass film. Tickets&Info: www.koffia.com.au
