Film Festival Spotlights Korean Diaspora

Share |




Outside of the Korean Peninsula, some 7 million ethnic Koreans ― labeled Joseon or Goryeo ``saram,'' Corean or Korean depending on geography ― dot the globe. A film festival aims to bring the Korean Diaspora into scope and inspire communication and understanding among the different branches: the 4th Corean Network Film Festival (CNFF) presents 24 films from eight countries beginning Thursday through Sunday at Indiespace in Myeongdong, central Seoul.

The festival allows the audience to explore different facets of the Korean experience through films that are either about the Diaspora or are made by directors of Korean heritage. ``Neither Fish, Nor Fowl'' (2002, Germany) by Matthias Keilich will open the festival Thursday evening. Michael, adopted by his German family at a young age, is constantly searching for his identity, not feeling neither fully German nor Korean. When he falls in love with Jin-hi, a Korean immigrant, his ignorance of the Korean culture becomes an obstacle in winning the approval of Jin-hi's traditionalist father.

In the section titled ``History of Emigration,'' films trace the different walks of life Koreans take. ``HERs'' (2007, Korea) shows three Korean women trying to survive in three American cities, while ``Hyazgar'' (2007, Korea), which competed in the 2007 Berlin Film Festival, follows the journey of a North Korean defector family through the Mongolian desert.

This section also brings to light the transforming texture of the local social fabric: Korea, often considered one of the most homogenous societies in the world, is now home to 1 million foreigners. The short film ``Dance of a Free Bird'' (2008, Uzbekistan) is about a young Sri Lankan man's troubled efforts to meet a Korean girlfriend.

The ``Friends'' section emphasizes ``uniqueness'' rather than ``differentiation'' to describe the colorful identities Koreans adopt overseas. Director Yukio Tanaka documents the life of Japan's popular singer Pak Poe in ``Across Borders, Pak Poe: A Korean Japanese Singer'' (2003, Japan). Born to a Korean father and Japanese mother, Pak had debuted in the 1970s with the Japanese name Hirose. But he eventually changed his name to a Korean one, and has since been committed to making music with strong social messages, earning a reputation as the Bob Dylan of Japan. The rocker will perform for Seoulites at 7:30 p.m. tonight, at the outdoor stage near the Korea Tourism Organization building by Cheonggye Stream. The concert is free of charge.

``Unity'' features films that explore various themes of division and reunification of the two Koreas, including the heartbreaking separation of families. Particularly eye-catching is a collection of short stories by ``Seteomin'' or North Korean refugee students living in Korea, which will be screened Saturday noon.

Friday, at 4 p.m., three directors will discuss the Korean Diaspora: third generation Chinese-Korean Zhang Lu, fourth generation Uzbekistani-Korean Pak Ruslan and Brazilian-born Paula Un-mi Kim. Sunday, ``Island Being'' (2007, Mexico) will wrap up the festival. Director Ihm Eun-hee, who is from Mexico City, brings a documentary about Korean leprosy patients who were forced to move and live in isolation in Sorok Island during the 1980s.

Mother Related News

  Please leave your comments.
Your Name :
Your Website : http://
type the security word shown in the picture.
check to tweet

Forums

  • Today's Hot Movies !!

  • JEON WOO CHI : The Taoist Wizard

    In Chosun dynatsy, the Master’s rascal student JEOn Woo-Chi has been pushed into a corner by suspected Master’s murder and taking his pipe. Ultimately he gets sealed into a painting along with his trusty dog, Chorangyi. In 2009, goblins begin to appear and wreak havoc on the world. JEOn Woo-Chi and Chorangyi are offered freedom in return for catching the goblins


    CastJEON WOO CHI : The Taoist Wizard

  •  
  •  
  • Today's Hot Dramas !!

  • Chuno

    Synopsis

    Chuno follows the story of Lee Dae Gil, a man of high birth whose family was ruined when Tae Ha, who became a slave after being falsely accused of a crime he did not commit, burns down his house and escapes. Driven by his desire for revenge, he survives his harsh years on the street and makes his name as a slave hunter, dedicated in his pursuit of Tae Ha. Both m... Chuno

  •  
  •  

koreanmovie.com does not host any video files. koreanmovie.com is not responsible for the copyright or legality of the content of other linked sites.

Partner Sites : Koreandvds.com | Fashion.koreanmovie.com | Koreandrama.com | Ganges.com | realestateattorney.com | Mycheap.com


News  | Korean Movies  | Korean Dramas  | Korean Actor/Actress  | Photo  | Videos  | Forums  | Fan Club  | Sitemap

About us  | Privacy Policy  | Advertise  | Contact us  | Terms of use

Copyright @ 2009 ~ 2010 KoreanMovie.com All right reserved.