FILM: 5 Picks for Korean Film Festival in Australia 2015 (KOFFIA)
KOFFIA is back for 2015 with a stellar line-up of movies from Korean film-makers, but what if you have no idea what to see? I've narrowed down over a dozen films on selection and cut down the fat, reaching a manageable list of my 5 top picks from KOFFIA.
1. 'Love Forecast'
Genre: Romantic Comedy
You'll love this if you liked: 'You've Got Mail,' 'Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.'
It's the typical romantic comedy: guy and girl are friends, guy likes girl, guy fawns after the girl, guy gets girl. You've heard it all before, but 'Love Forecast' looks like a lot of good natured fun, and I laughed a few times throughout the trailer so that's a good sign.
2. 'A Matter of Interpretation'
Genre: Surreal, Arthouse, Drama.
You'll love this if you liked: 'Before Sunrise,' 'Before Sunset,' 'Before Midnight.'
I'll be honest, this trailer tells me nothing about the movie, except that it has interesting dialogue. Nevertheless, if confusing and vague is what the director was going for, then he got me because I am hooked.
3. 'King of Jokgu'
Genre: Sports Comedy
You'll love this if you liked: 'Shaolin Soccer,' 'Kung Fu Hustle.'
I couldn't find an English Subtitled trailer for this, but I got the plot all too easily which is great! If anything, this is Korea's answer to 'Dodgeball' and the underdog trope. This looks sincerely funny and I hope that the heart comes above all the silly gags that can sometimes plague great movies.
4. 'Han Gong-Ju'
Genre: Troubled Indie Drama
You'll love this if you liked: 'Prisoners,' 'Gone Girl.'
WHAT DID SHE DO?! I want to watch this movie so badly because it's part mysterious, part indie drama and those are always a joy to experience.
5. 'My Dictator'
Genre: Inspirational Drama
You'll love this if you liked: 'Dave,' 'Saving Mr. Banks.'
My Korean history is vague so I can't act like I know what's happening in this movie within a greater historical context, but it looks really interesting. 'My Dictator' is shaping up to be an intriguing historical and political drama, and I can't wait to see what comes of it.
In case you missed out on KOFFIA, 2015 most of these films are available as streams as they came out last year.
