FILM

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Spotlight on World Cinema: Korea. The resurgence of Korean cinema in recent years has been widely documented, from the awards garnered by films and directors at prestigious international film festivals to the audacity of its contemporary horror films, which have helped to redefine the genre.

With innovative storytelling, Korean films not only have been commercially viable in the domestic and regional markets, but also have appealed to cinephiles everywhere on the international festival circuit. The Korean film industry is thriving, with international accolades steadily accumulated by its directors and actors in both art house and commercial genres. A further testament to this is the global itinerary of festivals devoted exclusively to Korean movies.

Not quite a festival, this brief series presents four acclaimed recent releases. Directly from Cannes and in advance of its U.S. premiere comes the latest film by the prolific Hong Sang-soo, subject of a tribute at the MFAH in 2010. Finding Mr. Destiny, a frothy musical comedy that was a box-office sensation in Korea, is the Saturday night centerpiece. The weekend opens and concludes with two dramatic films featuring the actress Jeon Do-yeon. Ms. Jeon achieved instant star status with her 1997 debut in The Contact, and has since performed in a variety of roles that have earned her a reputation as a movie star at home and a celebrated actress on the world cinema stage.

Finding Mr. Destiny
Kim Jong-ok chatgi
Directed by Yu-jung Jang
2010, in Korean with English subtitles
South Korea
112 minutes

A reception in the museum galleries follows the screening.

A box-office sensation in Korea and a huge hit at the recent Seoul Power film series at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, this romantic comedy about first love is based on the filmmaker’s own hit stage musical.

Our heroine, Ji-Woo, meets her soul mate on a trip to India, but decides to leave him behind, believing that they will find each other again if they are meant to be together. Ten years later, she enlists the help of a “love agency” to find her lost love. The cast includes some of Korea’s top actors including Su-jeong Lim, Yoo Gong, and Ho-jin.

Presented in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea (Yun-soo Cho, Consul General). Special thanks for programming assistance to Soo Jin Hwang, KOFIC; Tom Vick, Freer/Sackler, Washington, D.C.; and Gina Caruso, Honolulu Academy of Arts.