Home > About Us > News Room > Press Release

Sixth Annual Korean Film Festival


Media only: Megan Krefting 202-633-0271; kreftingm@si.edu
Public only: 202.633.1000

April 08, 2010

An eclectic mix of artistic themes and styles marks this year's Korean Film Festival at the Freer's Meyer Auditorium, April 9 through May 16. Festival highlights include six new films by contemporary directors, a special focus on the 1980 Gwangju Uprising and appearances by Jeon Soo-il, one of Korea's foremost independent directors.

"This year's festival highlights the diversity that has made Korean cinema so popular over the past several years," said Tom Vick, film programmer at the Freer and Sackler galleries, and author of Asian Cinema: A Field Guide. "The Jeon Soo-il retrospective gives audiences a chance to discover the work of a unique voice in contemporary Korean cinema."

Appearances by Joen Soo-il
On April 16–18, Jeon Soo-il will introduce three of his films at the Meyer Auditorium: With a Girl of Black Soil, Friday, April 16, at 7 p.m.; Time Between Dog and Wolf, Saturday, April 17, at 2 p.m.; and Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells, Sunday, April 18, at 2 p.m.

Jeon Soo-il has established himself as a distinct voice in Korean independent cinema, crafting films that resonate with intense emotion and a unique sensitivity to landscape. His films have received international recognition, including awards at the Pusan, Venice and Amiens film festivals. Born in 1959, Jeon Soo-il is an associate professor of Kyungsung University's Department of Theatre and Film and president of Dongnyuk Film production company.

This year's festival will also feature films directed by Lee Yoon-ki, Kim Ki-duk, Shin Dong-il, Lee Myung-se, Jang Hun and Hwang Qu-duck.

The Gwangju Uprising: 30 Years Later
On May 15 and 16 at 2 p.m., the galleries will present film screenings and talks exploring the legacy of the Gwangju Uprising, a pivotal moment in South Korea's pro-democracy movement. Film scholar David James, from the University of Southern California, and historian Namhee Lee, from UCLA, will discuss the impact of the event on Korean history. The discussions will be preceded by screenings of The Day, Cho Jae-Hyung's short film on the subject.

The programs are co-sponsored by the U.S.–Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies.

Festival Schedule Online
Visit www.asia.si.edu/events/films.asp for full descriptions and schedules. All screenings will take place in the Freer's Meyer Auditorium. Seating for films is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open approximately 30 minutes before each show. The schedule is subject to change.

The Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Avenue S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except Dec. 25, and admission is free. The Galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information about the Freer and Sackler Galleries and their exhibitions, programs and other events, the public is welcome to visit www.asia.si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285.

the freer and sackler galleries

Contact us

pressasia@si.edu
Tel: 202.633.0271
Fax: 202.633.0046

Office of Marketing and Communications
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
PO Box 37012, MRC 707
Washington, DC 20013-7012


You're viewing an archived version of our site. Some pages may be out of date. Visit freersackler.si.edu for the most up-to-date information.