A chance to catch up on movies you missed

Hypertheque Nada at Dongsoong Art Center is hosting its annual end of the year film festival. The event began in 2000 as a way of screening movies that patrons might have missed, especially arthouse films.
Looking back on films released in Korea this past year, the 24 chosen by the organizers of the festival, “Nada’s Last Propose,” range from Korean to Spanish to German. The festival, launched on Friday, runs until Jan. 13 at the Daehangno theater.
Highlights include two films by Kim Ki-duk. His “Samaria” won the Silver Bear at the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival. The movie stars Seo Min-jeong as Jae-young, an underage prostitute whose pimp is her best friend, Yeo-jin (Kwak Ji-min). The two are trying to save money to escape to Europe. Screenings are today at 4 p.m., Jan. 3 at 11:20 a.m. and Jan. 7 at 6:20 p.m.
Kim’s “3-Iron” (Binjip) won the Best Director award and the Future Critics Award at the 2004 Venice International Film Festival. The movie stars Jae Hee as Tae-suk, a transient who breaks into vacationers’ homes and then performs small acts of kindness. Screenings are Friday at 6:20 pm., Jan. 5 at 11:20 a.m., and Jan. 9 at 6:20 p.m.
Other notable Korean films include “Repatriation” (Songhwan) by Kim Dong-won, “My Generation” by Noh Dong-seok and “So Cute” (Gwi-yeowo) by Kim Su-hyun.
Also on the lineup is Gus Van Sant’s “Elephant,” which portrays a day at a high school that is rocked by a senseless killing spree. In winning the Best Director and Palme d’Or prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, the film raised controversy as some critics called it overly voyeuristic, while others defended its unflinching view as daring. Screenings are today at 6:20 p.m., Jan. 2 at 6:20 p.m., and Jan. 12 at 6:20 p.m.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa, whose “Bright Future” (Balgeun Mirae) is being screened, has been likened to David Lynch. The New York Times describes him as having a “style so radically inventive that his movies transcend genre categorization.” “Bright Future” stars a jellyfish, Tadanobu Asano as Mamoru and Joe Ogadiri as Yuji, two friends who are alienated from society. Screenings are Jan. 4 at 11:20 a.m. and Jan. 8 at 6:20 p.m.
Wim Wenders’s “The Soul of a Man” (Deo Beulruseu) focuses on blues legends Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson and JB Lenoir, while also recording special performances by Nick Cave, Beck, Lou Reed and others. Screenings are Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. and Jan. 9 at 4 p.m.
Closing the festival is “Josee, the Tiger and the Fish” (Joje, Horangi Geurigo Mulgogideul) by Isshin Inudo. This quirky film stars Satoshi Tsumabuki as a laid-back college student who peers inside a baby carriage and finds a disabled girl (Chizuru Ikewaki) of his own age. Screenings are Jan. 5 at 6:20 p.m. and Jan. 13 at 8:40 p.m.

by Joe Yonghee

Tickets are 5,000 won. No English subtitles will be provided. For more information, call 02-766-3390, ext.293 or 294, or visit www.dsartcenter.co.kr.