During the second week of August, New York City’s Museum of Modern Art, in association with The Korea Society, will be hosting a series of screenings of Korean films from the past few years. Titled “ContemporAsian: Focus on Korea,” the series will feature five films: Azooma, National Security, El Condor Pasa, White Night, and Sleepless Night. I’ve already seen and reviewed White Night, but the rest of the films are new to me, so that’s exciting. Most exciting is the inclusion of Jang Kun-jae’s Sleepless Night (not to be confused with the 2011 French thriller), which I’ve been trying to get my hands on for a while. I’ve heard only good things about it, exceptionally good things, and this may finally be my chance to see it.
And you should take advantage of it too.
Full PR can be found below.
ContemporAsian: Focus on Korea @ MoMA
Monday, August 5 to Sunday, August 11, 2013
Azooma, National Security, El Condor Pasa, White Night, Sleepless Night
Manhattan, NY/July 25, 2013 – From Monday, August 5th though Sunday, 11th, The Korea Society and MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art) co-presents ‘Focus on Korea’ as part of ‘ContemporAsian’ film series which presents many contemporary Asian films from pan-Asian countries. The series selects critically lauded Korean films, highlighting current social issues, injustice and human nature. The films maximize distinctive narrative skills from some of Korea’s insightful and penetrative renegade filmmakers. Three directors will be presented: Dir. Chung J-young (National Security), Dir. Lee Ji-seung (Azooma) and Dir. Jeon Soo-il (El Condo Pasa). National Security (New York premier) garnered acclaim by The Hollywood Reporter as ‘one such picture from South Korea, an entirely sincere and dignified effort by Chung Ji-young.’ Screen Daily commented that ‘El Condo Pasa (New York Premier) is a compelling addition to Jeon Soo-il’s body of work’ noting that the film ‘mirrors the Themes of religion, grief and forgiveness found in Lee Chang-dong’s Secret Sunshine (2007).’ Director Lee’s Azooma had accolades from Beyond Hollywood, “Azooma is certainly a very angry film, though justifiably so, and it’s all the more powerful for the fact that it’s very well made.’
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council.
Azooma (Gongjeongsahoe) 2012 (74 min, T2) directed by Lee Ji-seung. An ordinary mother stands up against the corrupt and dysfunctional society plays the main protagonist in Azooma to protect her daughter. Friday, August 9, 2013 @7:00 p.m. * Filmmaker Present
National Security (Namyeong-dong 1985) 2012 (106 min, T2) directed by Chung Ji-young. This film is based on the memoir written by the late Kim Geun-tae, a famous politician and the former Minister of Health and Welfare in Korea. Kim was captured, imprisoned, and tortured for 22 days at a specially designed facility located at Namyoung-dong on September 1985. Monday, August 5, 2013 @7:00 p.m./Tuesday, August 6, 2013 @4:00 p.m./Wednesday, August 7, 2013 @7:00 p.m./Thursday, August 8, 2013 @4:00 p.m./Friday, August 9, 2013 @4:00 p.m. *Filmmaker Present /Saturday, August 10, 2013 @1:30 p.m
El Condor Pasa (Kon-dol-eun Nal-
Sleepless Night (Jammotdeuneun Bam) 2012 (65 min, T2) directed by Jang Kun-jae. A working middle-class married couple in their early thirties struggle through daily trials and facing the decision of starting a family. Saturday, August 10, 2013 @7:30 p.m./Sunday, August 11, 2013 @2:00 p.m.
White Night (Baek-ya) 2012 (75 min, T2) directed by Leesong Hee-il. The film is loosely based on a real-life hate crime that happened in Seoul, and two men try to overcome from the wound.Saturday, August 10, 2013 @4:00 p.m.
All Films in Korean with English subtitles.
Theater Address: MoMA. 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019 (By Subway, E, M to 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue or B, D, F to 47-50 Street Rockefeller Center)
For more information, click here: The Korea Society or MoMA
