Over 100 films, stories of women, of precarious work, portraits of contemporary Korean society, between bourgeoisie and working classes; this is the 19th edition of the Florence Korea Film Fest, the most important Italian festival dedicated to the best of cinematography of contemporary South Korea, from 21 to 28 May in Florence, live (pending the provisions regarding the health emergency) at the La Compagnia cinema and online on the Più Compagnia and Mymovies.it platforms. The event, conceived and directed by Riccardo Gelli of the Taegukgi – Toscana Korea Association, is organized with the support of the Tuscany System Foundation, the Tuscany Region, the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Municipality of Florence, KOFIC – Korean Film Council.
As every year, the Programme features a rich lineup of over 100 films, including short films and documentaries. Spotlights are on the homage to Kim Ki-Duk, one of the most important filmmakers in world cinema – who recently passed away, at the age of only 59 due to complications from Covid19 -, and on the retrospective dedicated to the actress Moon So-ri, one of the most popular South Korean actresses. And then the titles that have raised the name of Korean cinema in the new Korean New Wave section alongside the historic Korean Horizons sections (the most successful screenings at the box office in recent months) and Independent Korea, the young local promises on the launch pad. Moreover, the story told by those who lived it in K-Documentary, a selection of the best latest documentary works, and the section for short films, Corti, Corti!. Special events include a dedication to South Korean culture such as “Feeling Korea 2021 – Music, Dance, Culture & Korean“, which will take place online due to the health emergency.
Let's have a look at the whole Programme:
Opening Film:
Josée” by Kim Jong-kwan
Closing Film:
“The Day I Died: Unclosed Case” by Park Ji-wan
Tribute to actress Moon So-ri. The Korean actress, with over 30 roles, will be honored by a selection of 8 titles dedicated to her artistic career.
“Oasis” by Lee Chang-dong (2002)
“The Lawyer's Wife” by Im Sang-soo (2003)
“Forever the moment” by Yim Soon-rye (2007)
“HAHAHA” by Hong Sangsoo (2010)
“The Running Actress” written, directed and performed by her (2017)
“Ode to the Goose” by Zhang Lü (2018)
“Juror 8” by Hong Seung-wan (2019)
“Three Sisters” by Lee Seung-Won (2021)
Omaggio a Kim Ki-duk. A cult director for many generations, who has told with his films a cross-section of traditional and contemporary Korea, spiritual, intimate where the themes of violence and love inevitably intersects: one of the most original and intense cinematic voices of the new millennium.
“Crocodrile” (1996)
“Wild Animals“ (1997)
“Birdcage Inn“ (1997)
“Real Fiction“ (2000)
“The Coast Guard“ (2002)
“Bad Guy“ (2011)
“Address Unknown“ (2011)
“Kim Ki-duk, cinéaste de la beauté convulsive“ (2007) a documentary by Antoine Coppola
Korean New Wave. Among the great novelties of the festival is the Korean New Wave section, which will deal with the best of South Korean cinema from 1990 to 2004.
“The Day A Pig Fell Into The Well” by Hong Sang-soo
“Contact” by Jang Yoon-hyun
“Peppermint Cand” by Lee Chang-dong
“Barking Dog Never Bite” by Bong Joon-ho
“JSA-Joint Security Area” by Park Chan-Wook
“Friend” by Kwak Kyung-taek
“Crying Fist” by Ryoo Seung-wan
“The Housemaid” by Kim Ki-young
Orizzonti Coreani. The most successful films in Korea of the recent months at home.
“Me and me” by Jung Jin-Young
“The Woman Who Ran” by Hong Sang soo
“New Year Blues” by Hong Ji-young
“Intruder” by Son Won-pyung
“Innocence” by Park Sang-hyun
“Best Friend” by Lee Hwan-kyung
“Samjin Company English Class” by Lee Jong-pil
“Steel Rain2: Summit” by Yang Woo-suk
“Fighter” by Jero Yun
“Recalled” by Seo Yoo-min
Independent Korea hosts the work of young independent film directors and will be represented by eight films that this year focus on the theme of the family.
“A Bedsore” by Shim Hye-jung
“A Distant Place” by Park Kun-young
“Festival” by Kim Rok-kyung
“I Don't Fire Myself” di Lee Tae-gyeom
“More Than Family” by Choi Ha-na
“Our Midnight” by Lim Jung-eun
“Take Me Home” by Han Jay
“Young Adult Matters”by Lee Hwan.
K-Documentary. There will be no lack of attention for political history, for the past and the possible future, as for individual stories, those from the margins or from tradition, in the documentaries selected by the Festival.
“I Am Chosun People” by Kim Cheol-min
“Shadow Flower” by Yi Seung-Jun
“The Birth of Resonance” by Lee Jeong-Jun
“The Wandering Chef” by Park Hye-ryoung
Corti, Corti!
Last but not least, the section dedicated to short films: a large selection ranging from fiction to animation, selected in collaboration with Busan International Film Festival, Jeonju International Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Asiana International Short Film Festival and Seoul International Estreme Short Image & Film Festival. Confirmed the “Virtual Reality Experience” section in collaboration with Barunson Entertainment.
For more info about Tickets and Schedule, please go to FKFF's Official Website
