7th Toronto Korean Film Festival 2018

01 토 론 토 한

SEVENTH ANNUAL

국 영 화 제

45

¬

¬

2018 7.11— 15¬

¬

23

TORONTO KOREAN

FILM FESTIVAL

67

TH

.

CONGRATULATIONS TKFF! The KCSF is proud to be the presenting sponsor again for the Korean-Canadian Showcase. Since 1978, the KCSF has supported young KoreanCanadians on their unique paths to success through scholarships and leadership programs. Together, with organizations such as TKFF and KCSF, we are creating our own unique imprint of the KoreanCanadian experience in Canada and abroad.

KCSF is largest Korean-Canadian non-profit organization, dedicated to nurturing students to achieve their full potential and providing opportunities for KoreanCanadian students to create their unique paths to success. Over $100,000 of scholarships available to be awarded every year. KCSF programs include Soiree, largest Korean-Canadian networking event, and KONNECT, a mentorship camp for Korean-Canadian high school students.

VISIT WWW.KCSF.CA FOR MORE INFO.

1

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO TKFF 2018 5 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE 7 WELCOME MESSAGE 8 CONGRATULATORY LETTERS 9 PROGRAMME SECTIONS 11 AWARDS & JURY 12 THANK YOU 13 KOREAN DIASPORA 14 KOREAN FEATURE PRESENTATION 16 KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE 21 KOREAN SHORTS COMPETITION 24 KOREAN CLASSIC 27 FESTIVAL CREDITS 29

WELCOME TO

TKFF2018 ABOUT TORONTO KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL With the mission to advance diversity through Korean cinema, Toronto Korean Film Festival (TKFF) is a non-profit organization with four major goals: to present authentic Korean cinema to the Canadian community; to support local Korean filmmakers; to engage in academic research of Korean cinema; and to bridge together the Korean and Canadian film industries.

Every year, the festival contributes to Toronto’s rich and enthusiastic film culture, delivering over 100 Korean films to local audiences since its inauguration in 2012. TKFF also aims to be the showcase for emerging talents and their work. This is achieved via the KoreanCanadian Programme and the Korean Shorts Competition Showcase, which attracted more than 400 entries this year from filmmakers locally and abroad.

With a more diverse film selection than ever before, TKFF is proud to continue celebrating the cultural diversity of Canada.

SUBTITLE: All films will have English subtitles.

5

WELCOME TO TKFF 2018

VENUE BLOO

E O RG

ON S

E ST

HUR T

IN A AVE

TICKETS

W

SPAD

Innis Town Hall is located within Innis College on the University of Toronto’s downtown campus, at the northwest corner of St. George Street and Sussex Avenue, just south of Bloor Street. We are a five minute walk south from the St. George TTC Station (see map on this page).

R ST

ST. G

INNIS TOWN HALL 2 SUSSEX AVENUE

SUS S

VE EX A

GENERAL ADMISSION (Single) $12 FULL FESTIVAL PASS (Single) $80 Tickets and passes are available for purchase at the door or online at WWW.TKFF.CA For inquiries, please contact TKFF.INFO@GMAIL.COM HAR

FOLLOW US /tkfffilmfest

@tkfffilmfest

BOR

D ST

@torontokoreanfilmfest TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

6

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE JULY 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15

DATE

TIME/LOCATION

PROGRAMME

FILMS

11

7:00 PM

KOREAN DIASPORA

(WED)

Innis Town Hall

YAKINIKU DRAGON / 야키니쿠 드래곤

12

7:00 PM

(THURS)

Innis Town Hall

13

7:00 PM

(FRI)

Innis Town Hall

(Opening Night Presentation) KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE

MY ENEMY, MY BROTHER DON’T CRY / 울지마

ELIZABETH / 엘리자베스 FEATURE PRESENTATION

THE FIRST LAP / 초행

KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE

THE TIME AGENT / 시간 에이전트 SIGH

14

2:30 PM

(SAT)

Innis Town Hall 5:00 PM

KOREAN SHORTS COMPETITION

MAD RUSH / 병훈의 하루 and 6 Short Films

FEATURE PRESENTATION

RYEOHAENG / 려행

KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE

ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL IS MY EX-BOYFRIEND

Innis Town Hall

LAST BREATHS QUILTS 7:30 PM

FEATURE PRESENTATION

LITTLE FOREST / 리틀 포레스트

KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE

HEROES OF THE GREATEST NATION / 초인전사 조선인민전대

KOREAN CLASSIC

SEONG CHUNHYANG / 성춘향

FEATURE PRESENATION

CLAIRE’S CAMERA / 클레어의 카메라

Innis Town Hall

15

5:00 PM

(SUN)

Innis Town Hall 7:30 PM Innis Town Hall

PROJECT ASH: REVELATION / 레버레이션

(Closing Night Feature Presentation)

PLEASE NOTE: The times listed above are the screening start time. Doors open 30 minutes prior.

7

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

WELCOME MESSAGE A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear friends, Welcome to the 7th Annual Toronto Korean Film Festival.

Since 2012, TKFF has strived to augment cultural diversity in Toronto by presenting authentic Korean cinema. This year, TKFF provides you opportunities to experience the authenticity of the country through 23 feature and short films. I hope it would serve as a basis for expanding an understanding of Korean culture.

Along with the other sections of our programming, there are two of remarkable excitement: Korean-Canadian Showcase and Korean Shorts Competition. We are honored to screen 10 excellent works made by local Korean-Canadian talents; and also thrilled to present 7 short films out of over 400 submission. Through those programme, we will be able to witness the splendor and uniqueness of current talents in both Korea and Canada.

Vino Kim TKFF Executive Director

On behalf of the entire festival staffs, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those supported us. The festival would never have been possible without the support of our sponsors, donors; as well as the cooperation of our partners. Our festival staff and volunteers must also be recognized for their constant dedication. Last but not least, it is always our audience who complete the festival. Without you, TKFF is void of meaning.

Thank you and I hope you would enjoy the festival.

With much appreciation, Vino Kim TKFF Executive Director

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Dear friends, On behalf of the board of directors, welcome to the 7th Annual Toronto Korean Film Festival (TKFF)! We’re looking forward to showing you the films, documentaries and shorts in this year’s program.

Film is an amazing, creative and oftentimes evocative lens through which we can get a glimpse into other lives, stories, cultures and more, all while (hopefully) being entertained.

And Toronto is a wonderfully multicultural city that it’s the perfect place for our festival to share authentic Korean films and those from the Korean diaspora, including KoreanCanadian works. Sharing stories and cultures is a part of what makes Canada, well, Canada. And film is such an important medium to tell those stories, as well as encourage discussion, entertain, and educate audiences. This year we will screen feature-length presentations, a Korean Shorts competition, and both a Korean-Canadian feature-length documentary, as well as several Korean-Canadian shorts to help showcase Korean culture to Canadians.

Cindy Zimmer TKFF Board of Directors Chair

The Board of Directors would like to thank the sponsors, donors, partners, and of course, the audience of our 2018 festival; as well as all those who attended and supported us during in past years. Your support has helped us grow our festival and screen Korean films to help enrich Toronto’s diverse fabric. Thank you!

Of course, TKFF couldn’t happen without the fabulous festival staff and volunteers; thank you for your hard work, perseverance and passion in continuing to make TKFF a reality.

We’re happy that you can join us for this year’s festival and hope that you enjoy it.

Many thanks, Cindy Zimmer Chair, Toronto Korean Film Festival Board of Directors TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

8

CONGRATULATORY LETTERS

July 11–15, 2018

Dear Friends: I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending the 7th annual Toronto Korean Film Festival (TKFF).

This event offers an outstanding forum for filmmakers, industry professionals and fans to share their passion for movies and storytelling. The many activities and performances planned for this year’s edition of the TKFF will undoubtedly enhance the experience for everyone involved.

I would like to congratulate all those presenting films for their efforts to bring their talent, creativity and cultural heritage to the screen. I would also like to commend the organizers for their continued commitment to supporting and promoting Korean cinema.

Please accept my best wishes for a memorable event.

Sincerely,

The Rt. Hon. Justin P.J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada

9

CONGRATULATORY LETTERS

TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

10

PROGRAMME SECTIONS INTRODUCING 2018 SELECTIONS

PROGRAMME

PAGE

FILMS

KOREAN CLASSIC

pg. 27

SEONG CHUNHYANG / 성춘향

KOREAN DIASPORA

pg. 14

YAKINIKU DRAGON / 야키니쿠 드래곤

KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE

pg. 21

MY ENEMY, MY BROTHER DON’T CRY / 울지마

ELIZABETH / 엘리자베스

EXPLANATION An academic and celebratory retrospective of the golden age of Korean Cinema.

A feature-length film that highlights the experiences of ethnic Koreans overseas.

A celebration of Korean-Canadian filmmakers and their works.

THE TIME AGENT / 시간 에이전트 SIGH

ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL IS MY EX-BOYFRIEND LAST BREATHS QUILTS

HEROES OF THE GREATEST NATION / 초인전사 조선인민전대 PROJECT ASH: REVELATION / 레버레이션

KOREAN SHORTS COMPETITION

pg. 24

MAD RUSH / 병훈의 하루 JULIANA / 율리안나

LONG-RUNNING / 오래달리기 POTATO / 감자

I ONLY HAD TO SAY / 뱃속이 무거워서 꺼내야 했어 MAY 14TH / 5월 14일

The Korean Shorts Competition is one of the TKFF’s key initiatives – nurturing the next generation of Korean cinema by featuring emerging filmmakers from Korea, or filmmakers of Koreaninspired works.

THIRSTY / 악당출현

KOREAN FEATURE PRESENATION

pg. 16

THE FIRST LAP / 초행 RYEOHAENG / 려행

LITTLE FOREST / 리틀 포레스트

CLAIRE’S CAMERA / 클레어의 카메라

11

PROGRAMME SECTIONS

A presentation of the most recent and remarkable feature length films from Korean filmmakers.

KOREAN SHORTS COMPETITION AWARDS & JURY The seven short films (pg. 24) are eligible for two awards, which will be presented at the Awards Ceremony preceding the Closing Night Feature Presentation on Sunday, July 15.

TKFF BEST KOREAN SHORT AWARD The Best Korean Short will be selected by our panel of jurors:

Xiao Sun

Sunho Ko

Xiao Sun is a Chinese-Canadian actress based in Los Angeles.

She began her career as a dancer and was selected to be in Cirque Du Soleil’s touring show “Amaluna.” Her acting credits include Darren Aronofsky’s Mother!, Incorporated (CBS), Being Human (SyFy), and Les 3 P’tits Cochons. Xiao also works in film acquisitions, attending the biggest film festivals/markets in the world to bring films from US and around the world to China. Xiao has previously served on festival juries including the Montreal Short Film Festival and Beijing Independent FIlm Festival.

Sunho Ko is a PhD candidate in the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto. He studies and teaches modern Korean history and culture with a special focus on food history at the intersection of total war, colonialism, and everyday life. He is currently completing his PhD dissertation, tentatively titled, “Productive Farms and Homes: Food Politics on the Homefront, 1937–1945.”

Yong Sup Kim

Karina Rotenstein

Yong Sup Kim has a long career that bridges diplomacy with the arts. He is currently the director of the Korean Cultural Centre, an institution established by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada with the mandate of enhancing relations between these two countries through culture and the arts. As of March of this year, he is also the First Secretary of the Korean Embassy in Canada. He is a graduate of the Seoul National University with a degree in French Literature, and previously served as the Second Secretary at the Korean Embassy in France.

Karina Rotenstein is an independent film producer, programmer, and creative development advisor in documentary and fiction. Her film titles include: Academy Award® Nominated Edith + Eddie (2018), Lucky (2014); 10% – What Makes A Hero? (2013); and the upcoming Screen Time (2018). She is currently serving as Producer of the Industry Conference at the Toronto International Film Festival, which has featured masterclasses with Aaron Sorkin, Bong Joon Ho, Jill Soloway, Larry Wilmore, Ewan McGregor and Rob Reiner.

TKFF AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD The TKFF Audience Choice Award recipient will be selected by audience ballot. As award recognition is vital for the career of any emerging filmmaker, we encourage all audience members to fill out the ballots following the Korean Shorts Competition Showcase screening.

TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

12

THANK YOU MAIN SPONSOR

SPONSOR

SCREENING PARTNERS

FESTIVAL PARTNERS

KTPAC INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS & DONORS Sook Jung

B Lewis

Jason Lee

Marco Han

Randy Hanbyul Lee

SPECIAL THANKS

Cindy Zimmer

Bloom_MJ

JIna Hahn

Min Ho Lee

Seoyoung (Jenny) Cho

Sang Mook Lee

Carter Bruce

Hoon Heo

Jong Suk Kim

Munok Song

AND ALL OUR ANONYMOUS DONORS!

13

THANK YOUS

01

KOREAN DIASPORA

A FEATURE-LENGTH FILM THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE EXPERIENCES OF ETHNIC KOREANS OVERSEAS

OPENING NIGHT PRESENTATION

YAKINIKU DRAGON 야키니쿠 드래곤 CREDIT CHONG Wishing | Japan 2018 | Drama, Family | 128 min | Korean, Japanese w/ English subtitles

SYNOPSIS Yakiniku Dragon is the story of a Korean family bbq restaurant in 1970s Japan. It conveys the vigorous life of Zainichi villagers sharing common trauma as they love, argue, and reconcile. The charming ensemble cast, including Korean actors KIM Sang-ho and LEE Jeong-un and Japanese actors Maki Yoko and Inoue Mao, delivers delightful performances.

DIRECTOR’S BIO

WED July 11 | Doors open 6:30 PM | Screening starts 7:00 PM | Innis Town Hall

CHONG Wishing is an award winning Korean-Japanese playwright and filmmaker. His All Under the Moon (1993) won the prize for Best Screenplay in the Mainichi Film Competition and the Kinema Junpo Award for Best Screenplay. In 2008, his Japan-South Korea joint production of the play Yakiniku Dragon was staged in Tokyo and Seoul.

FESTIVAL INVITATIONS AND AWARDS

PROGRAMMER’S NOTE

Jeonju International Film Festival, 2018

Based on Wishing Chong’s award-winning 2008 play, Yakiniku Dragon, this film realistically and compassionately captures the harsh life, family affection, and hope of Korean residents in Japan. It’s origins in live theatre and its depiction of a Korean family-run business is reminiscent of Korean-Canadian Ins Choi’s play and television series Kim’s Convenience.

SCREENING

* Sorimori is a team of Korean traditional drummers in Toronto, Canada. Sorimori would like to share and extend the spirit of Korean musical culture to neighbors, communities and younger generations, in order to contribute proudly to Canada's cultural diversity.

15

KOREAN DIASPORA

CO-PRESENTER

COMMUNITY PARTNER

FESTIVAL PARTNER *

02

KOREAN FEATURE PRESENTATION

TKFF 2018’S PRESENTATIONS OF FEATURE–LENGTH FILMS

THE FIRST LAP 초행

CREDIT KIM Dae-hwan | Korea 2017 | Drama | 100 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | Canadian Premiere SCREENING FRI July 13 | Doors open 6:30 PM | Screening starts 7:00 PM | Innis Town Hall FESTIVAL INVITATIONS AND AWARDS Locarno International Film Festival, 2017 Jeonju International Film Festival, 2017 PRECEDED BY:

THE TIME AGENT / 시간 에이전트 (pg. 23)

17

FEATURE PRESENTATION

SYNOPSIS Su-hyeon, a private art institute teacher and Ji-young, a contract worker at a small network enterprise have been living together for six years. To his surprise, Su-hyeon finds out that Ji-young is late for her period and, in anticipation of a possible child, the couple visit each other’s parents.

DIRECTOR’S BIO While studying Film and Digital Media Design at Hongik University, Kim directed two short films, Picnic (2010) and Interview (2011). He later directed his first feature film, End of Winter (2014) while at Dankook University Graduate School of Cinematic Content.

PROGRAMMER’S NOTE “I’m really scared!” Ji-young confesses to Su-hyeon, as they face their first steps towards adulthood. Marriage, intergenerational conflict, unplanned pregnancy – nothing is ever simple. Uncertainties and insecurities await them, but so does an open road of possibilities.

All they have to do is keep on walking, as long as they are looking in the same direction.

CO-PRESENTER

COMMUNITY PARTNER

FESTIVAL PARTNER *

RYEOHAENG 려행

CREDIT IM Heung-soon | Korea 2017 | Documentary | 86 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | North American Premiere

SYNOPSIS ‘Ryeohaeng’ means ‘journey’ in North Korean dialect. A group of women climb a summer mountain situated in South Korea. They are refugees who have settled in South Korean society after fleeing from North Korea. For them, climbing mountains has been an unavoidable journey for survival.

DIRECTOR’S BIO

SAT July 14 | Doors open 4:45 PM | Screening starts 5:00 PM | Innis Town Hall

IM Heung-soon is an artist and filmmaker based in Seoul. Since his early works on his working-class family, he has explored the lives of those who are marginalized in social, political, capitalist, and national contexts. His political yet emotional works are embodied through different visual mediums such as photography, installations, cinema, public art and community art.

FESTIVAL INVITATIONS AND AWARDS

PROGRAMMER’S NOTE

Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, 2017 DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, 2017

In Korea, mountains have been seen as the source of nation’s spirit, yet remain terrifying places for what was hidden and buried within during Korean War. The illusions of North and South Korea are unveiled, looking straight to the illusions of moving images.

SCREENING

PRECEDED BY: ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL IS MY EX-

PRESENTING SPONSOR

CO-PRESENTER

COMMUNITY PARTNER

BOYFRIEND (pg. 23) LAST BREATHS (pg. 23) QUILTS (pg. 23) TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

18

LITTLE FOREST 리틀 포레스트 CREDIT YIM Soon-rye | Korea 2018 | Drama | 103 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | Canadian Premiere

SYNOPSIS Hye-won’s life in a big city isn’t going as planned – no job, no romance, bad grades.

Impulsively, she returns to her rural hometown. As seasons pass, Hye-won slowly finds pleasure in living a simple life. A new spring is approaching, and she puts the first step in her brand new life.

DIRECTOR’S BIO

SAT July 14 | Doors open 7:15 PM | Screening starts 7:30 PM | Innis Town Hall

Director YIM Soon-rye has been recognized by critics and viewers for her gentle but powerful directing in films such as Waikiki Brothers, Forever the Moment, South Bound and The Whistleblower. After 4 year of producing films such as One Way Trip and Sorry, Thank You, Yim makes her directorial return with Little Forest.

FESTIVAL INVITATIONS AND AWARDS

PROGRAMMER’S NOTE

Hawaii International Film Festival, 2018 Jeonju International Film Festival, 2018 New York Asian Film Festival, 2018

Enticing recipes invite your appetite and offer a glimpse into the the slow-paced life Hye-won returns to. The time required to grow seasonal ingredients for home cooked meals in Hye-won’s hometown stand in contrast to the hurried pace of fast food in the big city. Each meal reveals its story, just as each character carries a story of their own.

SCREENING

PRECEDED BY: HEROES OF THE GREATEST NATION / 초인전사 조선인민전대 (pg. 23)

PROJECT ASH: REVELATION / 레버레이션 (pg. 23)

19

FEATURE PRESENTATION

PRESENTING SPONSOR

COMMUNITY PARTNER

CO-PRESENTER

CLOSING NIGHT FEATURE PRESENTATION This presentation will be preceded by the TKFF 2018 Awards Ceremony, where the winners of the TKFF 2018 Korean Shorts Competition will be announced.

CLAIRE'S CAMERA 클레어의 카메라 CREDIT HONG Sang-soo | Korea 2016 | Drama | 69 min | Korean w/ English subtitles SCREENING SUN July 15 | Doors open 7:15 PM | Screening starts 7:30 PM | Innis Town Hall FESTIVAL INVITATIONS AND AWARDS Cannes Film Festival, 2017 * KTPAC (Korea Traditional Performers Association of Canada) is a company of Korean traditional dance and stage performers, led by Artistic Director Kuem Kook Hyang based in Toronto, Canada.

The company honours heritage of Korean traditional performing arts and values thriving in multicultural societies.

SYNOPSIS On a business trip to the Cannes Film Festival, Man-hee is accused of being dishonest, and is abruptly fired. Music teacher Claire possesses the ability to transform objects with her camera and comes to sympathize with Man-hee. Claire goes with Manhee to the cafe where she was fired.

DIRECTOR’S BIO HONG has established himself as one of the most successful and award-winning art-house directors on the international film festival circuit. He is known for his unique approach to storytelling and cinematic language – characterized by spontaneous conversations and every-day human encounters. He is also a tireless filmmaker, often completing several feature films per year.

PROGRAMMER’S NOTE Claire’s camera is a transcendent gaze – like seeing in the eyes of a dog which was sitting in the corner of an alley as a matter of chance. Through the lens of Claire’s camera, actors are being strangers that she happens to encounter in a foreign city. The scandalous drama in which these actors are cast is innocent, but maybe not honest.

CO-PRESENTER

COMMUNITY PARTNER

FESTIVAL PARTNER *

KTPAC TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

20

03

KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE

A CELEBRATION OF KOREAN-CANADIAN FILMMAKERS AND THEIR WORKS

MY ENEMY, MY BROTHER CREDIT Ann SHIN | Canada 2017 | Documentary | 85 min | English

SYNOPSIS Over 30 years ago, Zahed and Najah met on the battlefield as enemies. Though Najah was gravely wounded, Zahed did not kill him, but saved his life. Decades later and half a world away, their paths cross again. This film chronicles their unlikely story of brotherhood, and their emotional journey back to Iran and Iraq.

DIRECTOR’S BIO

THURS July 12 | Doors open 6:30 PM | Screening starts 7:00 PM | Innis Town Hall

Ann Shin is a multiple award-winning producer, director and new media producer. Her short documentary My Enemy, My Brother was nominated for an Emmy and shortlisted for an Oscar. Her feature documentary, The Defector: Escape from North Korea won Best Documentary and Best Documentary Director at the Canadian Screen Academy Awards.

FESTIVAL INVITATIONS AND AWARDS

PROGRAMMER’S NOTE

Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival, 2017 San Diego Asian Film Festival, 2017 (Grand Jury Award)

The lasting devastation of war is revealed through the lives of Zahed and Najah.

Interwoven archival footage and intimate interviews deliver a visceral understanding of tragedy on both a mass and personal scale. Their story does not surrender solely to grief, however, as they demonstrate a bond that endures both tragedy and decades of seeking closure.

SCREENING

PRECEDED BY:

DON'T CRY / 울지마 (pg. 23.)

PRESENTING SPONSOR

CO-PRESENTER

COMMUNITY PARTNER

ELIZABETH / 엘리자베스 (pg. 23)

TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

22

KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE SHORTS

DON'T CRY / 울지마

ELIZABETH / 엘리자베스

THE TIME AGENT / 시간 에이전트

Alice KIM | Canada 2017 | Drama | 11 min | English

Eui Yong ZONG | Canada 2013 | Documentary | 7 min | English

Jude CHUN | Canada 2016 | Sci-Fi, Drama | 26 min | English

SYNOPSIS: Gina and her Korean-immigrant mother, Mi-Kyoung, tirelessly work in their own dry cleaning business. An uncomfortable situation causes the two to confront cultural and emotional barriers.

SYNOPSIS: Elizabeth follows an elderly man as he prepares to put to rest his beloved companion of 18 years.

SYNOPSIS: An agent from the future comes to the past to prevent crimes. The only way for him to return to the future is simply to wait – in complete isolation.

SIGH

ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL IS MY EX-BOYFRIEND

LAST BREATHS

Hee-joo YOON | Canada 2017 | Comedy | 11 min | English

Enna KIM | Canada 2018 | Experimental, Abstract Animation | 1 min | English

Samuel Kiehoon LEE | Canada 2016 | Experimental | 2 min | World Premiere

SYNOPSIS: The story of a man living with severe social anxiety. An unexpected gesture of kindness from his neighbour sparks a new courage.

SYNOPSIS: An experimental photogrammetry animated projection that reveals the interactions of romantic relationships and comparing them to how people respond to built space.

SYNOPSIS: According to Buddhist tenets, all creatures have a finite number of breaths. Each breath simultaneously signals life, and brings us closer to our final one. Filmed during one of the coldest recorded winters in Seoul.

QUILTS

HEROES OF THE GREATEST NATION /

Christina Daeun PAIK | Canada 2017 | Experimental | 1 min 30 sec | English | World Premiere SYNOPSIS: QUILTS is a polymorphic audio visualization. It generates grids of rectangles and squares matching the audio played.

23

KOREAN CANADIAN SHOWCASE

초인전사 조선인민전대

Juhwan LEE | Canada 2018 | Satire | 2 min | English SYNOPSIS: A trailer-like short film about superheroes, representing the elements of North Korean dictatorship. Will they punish the evil and succeed in protecting the people from harm?

PROJECT ASH: REVELATION / 레버레이션 Rosa LEE | Canada 2017 | Sci-Fi, Drama | 1 min 25 sec | English SYNOPSIS: A story of humanity that has settled across the galaxy hundred years after the massive destruction of an Earth-like planet, Gaya.

04

KOREAN SHORTS COMPETITION SHOWCASE

I N T RO DUCI N G E ME RGIN G TAL E N T S FROM KORE A This annual competition and showcase is one of TKFF’s key initiatives – nurturing the next generation of Korean cinema. Of over 400 submissions from Korea and around the world the festival’s largest amount of entries to date – seven films were selected to present this year.

The films in this showcase are eligible for two awards, which will be presented at the Awards Ceremony preceding the Closing Night Feature Presentation on July 15. Two films will be selected for the following: the Best Korean Short Award (more information on pg. 12), and the TKFF Audience Choice Award. As award recognition is vital for the career of any emerging filmmaker, we encourage all audience members to cast their ballots following this screening.

P ROGR A MME R'S N OT E This collection features the bold visions of the next generation of Korean filmmakers. Though the films represent a variety of genres, they share an unlikely common thread. The characters in these films are trying to find out where they fit in the world. Successfully or otherwise, they each seek some form of acceptance or recognition.

KOREAN SHORTS COMPETITION SHOWCASE TWO FILMS WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING: THE BEST KOREAN SHORT AWARD AND THE TKFF AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 127 min SCREENING SAT July 14 | Doors open 2:15 PM | Screening starts 2:30 PM | Innis Town Hall CO-PRESENTER

MAD RUSH 병훈의 하루 CREDIT LEE Hee-joon | Korea 2018 | Drama | 16 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | International Premiere SYNOPSIS Suffering from a contamination obsession and panic disorder, Byunghoon is battling through the little things, day by day.

JULIANA

I ONLY HAD TO SAY

CREDIT

CREDIT

KIM Do-joon | Korea 2017 | Drama | 30 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | International Premiere

CHO Han-na | Korea 2018 | Documentary, Animation | 12 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | World Premiere

SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS

Sky Apartments was the oldest apartment complex in Seoul.

In 2008, the complex was deemed unsafe. After all other inhabitants are gone, one elderly woman remains.

Daughter can not forget her past, but her mother wants to forget it.

They have a conversation about the past and present.

율리안나

25

KOREAN SHORTS COMPETITION SHOWCASE

뱃속이 무거워서 꺼내야 했어

MAY 14TH

POTATO

CREDIT

CREDIT

BOO Eun-joo | Korea 2018 | Drama | 24 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | International Premiere

HAN Rudolf | Korea 2017 | Experimental | 9 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | International Premiere

SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS

May 14th is Min-jeong’s birthday. And it also happens to be her sister’s wedding day. Min-jeong comes to spend the very day all alone.

Labour works, and she eats potato.

THIRSTY

LONG-RUNNING

CREDIT

CREDIT

YOU Su-min | Korea 2017 | Drama | 29 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | North American Premiere

JEONG Seung-o | Korea 2018 | Drama | 9 min | Korean w/ English subtitles | International Premiere

SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS

Hee-joon is a chinese food delivery man, just trying to get by.

An opportunity to make a quick buck presents itself. But things are never as simple as they seem...

While on leave from his military service, Min-gyu takes out his mother’s car and goes camping with Dongwan.

5월 14일

악당출현

감자

오래달리기

TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

26

05

KOREAN CLASSIC

AN ACADEMIC AND CELEBRATORY RETROSPECTIVE OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF KOREAN CINEMA

SEONG CHUNHYANG 성춘향 CREDIT SHIN Sang-ok | Korea 1961 | Drama, Romance, Epic, Historical | 107 min | Korean w/ English subtitles SCREENING SUN July 15 | Doors open 4:45 PM | Screening starts 5:00 PM | Innis Town Hall FREE SCREENING FOR SENIORS* & STUDENTS** * 65 years and above ** Must present valid school ID at the box office

SYNOPSIS Based upon classical Korean literature, this film tells a story of romance and intrigue.

Young and beautiful Chun-hyang falls in love with the son of an aristocrat, Lee MongNyong, and promises to marry him. But while Lee is away in Seoul, Governor Byeon pursues Chun-hyang and orders her to serve him at night... or face imprisonment.

DIRECTOR’S BIO SHIN Sang-ok completed more than 100 films in his prolific career. He was known as the “Prince of Korean Cinema” and he received the Gold Crown Cultural Medal, the country’s top honor for an artist. He is also known for having been kidnapped by North Korea to produce critically acclaimed films for the country.

PROGRAMMER’S NOTE In celebration of legendary Korean actress CHOI Eun-hee (1926–2018), we present one of the many landmark films she created with her husband, director SHIN Sang-ok. This groundbreaking film was the first colour cinemascope feature film ever made in Korea, and it achieved record breaking success when it was released.

COMMUNITY PARTNER

TKFF 2018 | TKFF.CA

28

FESTIVAL CREDIT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VINO KIM

CHAIR CINDY ZIMMER VICE CHAIR DAEKUN HWANG SECRETARY CHOONG-HO PARK FOUNDER EUGENE KITAEK HONG JAEYELL KIM

DEPARTMENT OF PROGRAMMING SENIOR PROGRAMMERS CHOONG HO PARK CARTER BRUCE PROGRAMMERS ELIN HEE RYUNG LEE SOOK JUNG JENNIFER PARK

DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR TAE HOON LEE STAFF WONJUN HAN SUNGBIN KANG SORA PAIK JAEHEE KIM GYURI KIM SEUNG CHAN CHUNG

DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONS

DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN

DIRECTOR SEOYOUNG (JENNY) CHO

SOOK JUNG DAHYE KIM SOHIE WON CHUCK KO YEONJOO BAEK

VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS ANNIE WANG LULIA LUONG YEONGJI HO LOGISTICS ASSISTANT CHANGHYUN (CHANG) PARK

IT AND WEB DEVELOPMENT JASON MIN