Korean movies both contemporary and classic will take over Washington D.C. during the seventh annual Korean Film Festival hosted by the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art. The first screening will take place on April 8, with 17 films and 22 screenings running through June 8.
The festival is one of the Freer Gallery’s biggest annual events, with most screenings taking place in the 300-seat Meyer Auditorium. Together with the adjoining Sackler Gallery, these two spaces within the Smithsonian focus on Asian art and welcome nearly a million visitors each year. The 2011 Korean Film Festival is presented with the generous support of the Korea Foundation, with additional support provided by the Korean Film Council and the Korean Embassy’s Korean Cultural Center.
This year’s festival will include drama, thriller, and comedy films, as well as two special explorations of films by acclaimed directors Im Sang-soo and Kim Ki-young. Im will be on hand for the screenings of his three films in the festival, followed by discussions with audience members.
Most screenings are free; for complete details on the festival schedule, theater locations, and admission, please visit www.asia.si.edu/events/koreanfilm./
Complete Schedule of Films
All films are 35mm, in color, and in Korean with English subtitles.
FGA = Freer Gallery of Art
AFI = AFI Silver Theatre
Secret Reunion (dir.: Jang Hun, 2010, 116 min.)
Friday, April 8, 7 PM, FGA
Breathless (dir.: Yang Ik-june, 2008, 130 min.)
Sunday, April 10, 2 PM, FGA
Possessed (dir.: Lee Yong-ju, Korea, 2009, 106 min.)
Friday, April 15, 7 PM, FGA
Hahaha (dir.: Hong Sang-soo, 2010, 115 min.)
Sunday, April 17, 2 PM, FGA
Poetry (dir.: Lee Chang-dong, 2010, 139 min.)
Friday, April 22, 7 PM, FGA
Old Partner (dir.: Lee Chung-ryoul, 2008, 78 min.)
Sunday, April 24, 1 PM, FGA
Oki’s Movie (dir.: Hong Sang-soo, 2010, 80 min.)
Sunday, April 24, 3 PM, FGA
Paju (dir.: Park Chan-ok, 2009, 111 min.)
Friday, April 29, 7 PM, FGA
The Housemaid (dir.: Im Sang-soo, 2010, 107 min.)
Friday, May 6, 7 PM, FGA
Saturday, May 7, 5:30 PM, AFI
In Person: Im Sang-soo, director
A Good Lawyer’s Wife (dir.: Im Sang-soo, 2003, 104 min.)
Saturday, May 7, 1 PM, FGA
Sunday, May 8, 4:45 PM, AFI
In Person: Im Sang-soo, director
The President’s Last Bang (dir.: Im Sang-soo, 2005, 104 min.)
Sunday, May 8, 2 PM, FGA
In Person: Im Sang-soo, director
I Saw the Devil (dir.: Kim Ji-woon, 2010, 143 min.)
Saturday, May 14, 9:30 PM, AFI
Monday, May 16, 8:15 PM, AFI
The Housemaid (dir.: Kim Ki-young, 1960, 108 min., B&W)
Sunday, May 15, 2 PM, FGA
Woman of Fire '82 (dir.: Kim Ki-young, 121 min.)
Friday, May 20, 7 PM, FGA
Carnivore (dir.: Kim Ki-young, 1984, 105 min.)
Sunday, May 22, 2 PM, FGA
Scandal Makers (dir.: Kang Hyung-chul, 2008, 108 min.)
Monday, May 23, 6:30 PM, AFI
Wednesday, May 25, 6:30 PM, AFI
Actresses (dir.: E. J-yong, 2009, 104 min.)
Sunday, June 5, 5:15 PM, AFI
Wednesday, June 8, 7 PM, AFI