Mapping Seoul’s top art-house, indie theaters

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Mapping Seoul’s top art-house, indie theaters

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The operators of 30 theaters specializing in indie and art-house films in Seoul and Gyeonggi have come together to create a map of their locations.

The final result - as seen above - is the perfect guide to help interested individuals locate these alternative venues, which range from movie multiplexes to small cinemas in universities and shopping malls.

“The biggest problem for theaters specializing in indie and art-house movies is their low viability due to a lack of profitability,” said Jung Sang-jin, chief executive of Art Nine, one of the theaters featured on the map.

Jung led the launch of the association last year.

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“The first thing we needed to do to solve the problem is to inform people about where the theaters are located,” he said, “because although the interest in indie and art-house movies has increased, many viewers still don’t know where they can see the films.”

Here’s a guide to a selection of the theaters introduced on the map.

1. CGV Arthouse

CGV Arthouse, a chain of indie cinemas, presents a program in which viewers can participate in setting the theater’s schedule. “Theatrical on Demand” began operating in June 2013. When a list of films is posted on the cinema’s website, more than 200 viewers can sign up to vote on the date and time when they will screen. The chosen film is shown two weeks later.

Isshin Inudou’s “Josee, The Tiger And The Fish” (2003) and Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” (1972) were both picked in the first half of this year and were screened at the cinema through the program.

For more information, call 1544-1122.

2. KT&G SangsangMadang Cinema

Film screenings under various themes are being shown through SangsangMadang Cinema’s “Short Films Sangsang Theater” every Tuesday, “Film Live: Music Film Festival” during the summer and “Cine Icon: Actor & Actress Exhibition” in winter.

For more information, call (02) 330-6200.

3. KU Cinema Theque & KU Cinema Trap

Viewers can watch a film free of charge with a coupon, which is given after watching seven films. Every other month, on the final Wednesday, “Cinema Therapy,” which combines film and psychology, is offered by Professor Ha Ji-hyeon of Konkuk University.

KU Cinema Theque is located in Korea University, while KU Cinema Trap is at Konkuk University.

For more information, call (02) 446-6579 (Cinema Theque), (02) 924-6579.

4. Sponge House Gwanghwamun

Japanese films and documentaries are the main films shown at Sponge House. Visitors can also enjoy its cafe and galleries. DVDs are on sale here at cheap prices - 5,000 won ($4.52) for three.

For more information, call (02) 2285-2102.

5. Cinecode Sonje

“Salon de Cinema,” a program for communicating with audiences, is held at Cinecode Sonje in cooperation with publishing company Minumsa.

It centers on films adapted from novels published by the business, which is led by famous writers in Korea.

“Gemma Bovery” (released on April 2 and directed by Anne Fontaine) is scheduled as part of the program in the latter half of this year.

Every September, the “Bukchon Movie Walk” is held in the yard in front of the building in which Cinecode Sonje is located.

For more information, call (02) 730-3200.

6. Cinecube

“Cinecube Art Cinema Premier Festival,” which was launched to commemorate the theater’s opening, is held on the last week of every September. It shows films screened at international film festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival, that haven’t debuted in Korea yet. A flea market is also held in the festival period, where people can buy DVDs and posters.

For more information, call (02) 2002-7770.

7. Art Nine

The theater runs “Cine France,” which focuses on a certain filmmaker or screens films related to a certain theme every Tuesday. It is led by Daniel Kapelian, the audiovisual attache at the French Embassy. On the last Friday of every month, in “Art Nine All Night Hello & Goodbye,” three films are shown, starting at 10 p.m.

For more information, call (070) 7017-4526.

8. Cinespace Juan

Every third Saturday of the month, “Psycho Cinema,” in which a group of film critics and professors share their views on the aesthetics of certain films, is held. The cinematic space also has a great book cafe with an excellent selection.

For more information, call (032) 427-6777.

9. Indie Space

Indie Space runs “Chaekssi,” which screens art films and introduces books related to them in cooperation with publishing company Dolbagae. The theater has been dubbed as a “paradise of independent films” as it screens indie art movies all year round.

For more information, call (02) 738-0366.

10. Arthouse Momo

The Arthouse is considered to be the heart of European films in Seoul as it holds a festival that screens Italian and Swedish films, which are difficult to find in Korea.

For more information, call (02) 363-5333.

11. Film Forum

Film Forum holds the Seoul International Agape Film Festival (SIAFF) every April, which screens various kinds of love-themed art films.

It also holds fund-raising events to pay for a screenings for the unprivileged.

For more information, call (02) 363-2537.

12. Arirang Cine Center

Every Wednesday, the center holds “Moms’ Day” for mothers to watch films with their children.

Arirang mostly screens movies about families and is fully equipped with filming equipment to offer people a chance to make their own features.

For more information, call (02) 3291-5540.

13. Seoul Art Cinema

It is notable that the theater screens 35 mm and 16 mm film cinemas amidst the digital releases that are dominating the film industry. Seoul Art Cinema hosts “Venice in Seoul” in winter, which screens films that were shown at the Venice International Film Festival.

For more information, call (02) 741-9782.

14. Lotte Cinema Arte World Tower

At “Arte Ani,” one of Lotte Cinema’s indie film franchises located in Lotte Cinema World Tower, viewers can enjoy animations and family films. An exhibition of art films is scheduled to be held there in September. “Arte” means “art” in Italian.

For more information, call 1544-8855.


BY JI YONG-JIN [estyle@joongang.co.kr]
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