The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines is extending the 2009 Korean Film Festival up to October 6 as a result of its successful first week run in Shangri-La Plaza Cineplex 3 in Mandaluyong City.
Held to celebrate the 60th year anniversary of the Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations, the Korean Film Festival aims to show Korean cinemas which have gained international acclaim for its uniqueness and diversity over the past two decades. While Korean soap operas are already wildly popular in the Philippines, it is also hoped that there will be a more open cultural relationship between the Filipinos and Koreans through an appreciation for film.
The festival, which started last September 23, was still well-attended despite the inclement weather. Even though "Typhoon Ondoy" had been flooding Metro Manila during the weekend showing, Shangri-la Plaza still recorded an average of 72% utilization of Cineplex 3 during the festival run.
This year's Film Fest includes some of the most widely-acclaimed Korean films in the past decade. Park Chan-wook's Oldboy, an action film that was awarded the Grand Prix in the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, was one of the well-attended films in the festival. Kang Yi-wan's Sa-kwa, on the other hand, was the audience favorite due to its romantic theme.
Other films include Barking Dogs Never Bite, a dark comedy directed by Bong Joon-ho, who also directed Memories of Murder in 2003 and The Host in 2006; the drama film Beyond the Years, directed by Im Kwon-Taek; The Show Must Go On, another drama film directed by Han Jae-rim which won the Best Picture Award and Best Actor award for Song Kang-ho at the 28th Blue Dragon Film Awards in November 2007;Forbidden Quest, a historical comedy directed by Kim Dae-woo; and Driving with My Wife's Lover, a drama film directed by Kim Tai-sik, which was shown in the 2007 Sundance International Film Festival, the 2007 International Film Festival in Rotterdam and the 2007 Belgrade international Film Festival.
The Korea-Philippines Cultural Foundation, Inc. and Shangri-La Plaza are festival co-sponsors.
SCHEDULE. Sept. 30, Wednesday. 2 p.m. Sa-kwa. / 5 p.m. Oldboy. / 8p.m. Barking Dogs Never Bite.
Oct. 1, Thursday. 2 p.m. Forbidden Quest. / 5 p.m. Driving With My Wife's Lover. / 8 p.m. The Show Must Go On.
Oct. 2, Friday. 2 p.m. Beyond the Years. / 5 p.m. Sa-kwa. / 7 p.m. Forbidden Quest.
Oct. 3, Saturday. 2 p.m. Barking Dogs Never Bite. / 5 p.m. The Show Must Go On. / 8 p.m. Oldboy.
Oct. 4, Sunday. 2 p.m. Driving With My Wife's Lover. / 5 p.m. Forbidden Quest. / 8 p.m. Sa-kwa.
Oct. 5, Monday. 2 p.m. The Show Must Go On. / 5 p.m. Oldboy. / 7 p.m. Beyond the Years.
Oct. 6, Tuesday. 2 p.m. Oldboy. / 5 p.m. Barking Dogs Never Bite. / 7 p.m. Driving With My Wife's Lover.