Ten-hut! Korean films to screen at U.S. bases

Got any American soldier friends? It’s time to call them, say hi and win them over with your charm, for their U.S. Army bases are the right places to be tomorrow and Saturday.
The 8th Army of the American forces stationed in Korea will offer special screenings of six Korean movies with English subtitles. The film bash is a cooperative effort with Seoul Selection, an expatriate-friendly cultural association that provides movies and books related to Korea in English or with English subtitles.
The army launched the Korean film screening last year, only at the Yongsan Garrison, as part of its varied efforts to promote better understanding of Korean culture among soldiers. This year’s festival has grown to include screenings at Osan Air Force Base and Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek.
Movies on the marquee include recent productions like “Cheongpung Myeongwol” (Sword in the Moon) and “Wonderful Days.” The first is a historical epic of two warriors; the cinematography will probably be more exciting than the plot.
“Wonderful Days,” on the other hand, was the big newsmaker on this year’s local movie scene, a much-anticipated science fiction animation piece with an astronomical budget.
It’s not hard to see that all that cash was spent on scene production, for the story falls rather flat and fails to do justice to the magnificent visuals.
“Donggam” (Ditto) is the only romance film on the schedule. In this heartrending love story, the hotshot actress Kim Ha-neul stars as a young woman who communicates over a strange radio machine with a man who insists he’s the son of her first love.
“Jibeuro” (The Way Home) is easily the most recommended of the pack, a sad coming-of-age drama of a misbehaving boy and his giving, dedicated grandmother.
“Blue” and “Joint Security Area” remain true to their place of screening, featuring soldiers as the main characters. “Blue” relates the friendship among Korean Navy sailors against all odds, while “JSA” carefully depicts how the friendship between North and South Korean soldiers takes a tragic turn.

by Chun Su-jin

Two movies will run at each military base daily. For more information, call Seoul Selection at (02) 734-9567.