 |
|
| The Past Unearthed |
|
 |
Feature Film Collection of the Japanese Colonial Period
Movies :
- <An Angel without a House> (Choi In-kyu, 1941)
- <Spring in the Korean Peninsula> (Lee Byung-iI, 1941)
- <Volunteer> (An Seok-yeong, 1941)
- <Straits of Joseon> (1943)
Language :
- Subtitles : Korean, English
The Korean Film Archive has found and collected 4 feature films of the 1930s and 1940s at the China Film Archive since 2004. Thanks to this discovery, the films of that period which had left a blank in the Korean film archive now relocate themselves at their own place, and the films of the Japanese colonial period only as known in books became open to the public several times.
Various interpretations have been expressed on those films of the period. As a film critic, Kim Jong-won said, however, it would be the first step to open the past unearthed to the public and to see them wisely, before we apply dichotomy of ‘pro-Japan’ and ‘anti-Japan’ to the films. was first designed with this intention. The supplement of this collection contains the commentaries of a senior film critic, Kim Jong-won and the interviews of an actor Song Hwan-chang who starred in An Angel without a House. Most of all, the interview of Song could function as a precious material about the circumstances of film production and the theatrical culture at that time. The thesis of Lee Soon-jin, a researcher on the Korean film history in this brochure will show a way to comprehend the film culture of the period more deeply. The original scenario of An Angel without a House that the Korean Film Archive collected at Kawakita Memorial Film Institute of Japan in 2005 is also inserted in this brochure. It is donated by the widow of Nishikame Motosada who wrote it, which Lim Hwa translated to Korean dialogues. With this as a momentum, we hope to generate more various contexts and point of views and to make bloom of the study on the films and social cultural history in the 1930s and 1940s.
>> DVD SHOP
|
|
|
|
|
| Shin Sang-ok Collection |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Wedding Day (Sijibganeun nal) (1956) |
|
 |
Director : Lee Byeong-Il
Starring : Cho Mi-Ryeong,Kim Seung-Ho,Choi Hyeon,Kim Chil-Seong
Special Feature :
- Kim Jong-won on <The Wedding Day>
- Still gallery / Cast & Crew
A DVD of <The Wedding Day> has been added to the classical collection of the Korean Film Archive. Directed by Lee Byeong-il in 1956, the film is a social satire based on episodes where a state officer Maeng (Kim Seung-ho) wants to become in-laws with an influential family. But when he hears that the bachelor has a crippled leg, he decides to send his maid (Jo Mi-ryeong) to be his wife in the place of his daughter. This is where everything begins.
The DVD of <The Wedding Day> includes an explanation of the era when the film was made, the significance this film has in Korean film history, a foreword by director Lee Byeong-il, and a booklet with a collection of newspaper clippings of when this film was released in theaters. The DVD supplement includes a film interpretation by critic and professor Kim Jong-won, a collection of still shots, and introduction of the cast which will be important material to assist the understanding of the actual movie.
>> DVD SHOP
|
|
|
|
|
| Piagol (Pi-agol) (1955) |
|
 |
Director : Lee Kang-Cheon
Starring : Kim Jin-Kyu, No Kyeong-Hee, Lee Ye-Chun, Heo Jang-Kang
Special Feature :
- Kim Jong-won on <Piagol>
- Director Lee Kang-Cheon Special documentary
- Still gallery / Cast & Crew
The classical collection of the Korean Film Archive (director Lee Hyo-in) has released a total of 4 films from 2004 to 2005, to promote the outstanding quality of Korean classics : <Hurrah for Freedom (Ja-yumanse)> (’46), <Yangsan Province (Yangsando)> (’55), <Madame Freedom (Ja-yubu-in)> (’56), <The Hand of Destiny (Unmyeong-ui son) (’54).
This year, <Piagol> (’55) is being released as their fifth piece.
<Piagol> is a film based on the records and memoirs of North Korean guerillas during the 1954 Jiri Mountains Guerilla Liquidation Mission. Director Lee Gang-cheon wrote this scenario for his second film and cast Kim Jin-gyu, Noh Gyeong-hee, and Heo Jang-gang. The film portrays North Korean guerillas as human beings in the 1950s when North Koreans were absolute enemies to us and the government banned the film altogether. This brought about countless debates and heated discussions among media and people of all levels in society.
The <Piagol> DVD includes an introduction to the era when the film was made, the film’s significance in the film history of Korea, and analyses of realism in anti-Communism films made at the time. A booklet that includes a foreword by director Lee Gang-cheon is also included. In particular, a collection of newspaper articles that accurately reflect the atmosphere of the times and the content of the debate that went on regarding anti-Communism films can also be found.
Furthermore, a word of introduction from the director of the Korean Film Archive, interview with the film critic and professor Kim Jong-won, collection of still shots, and introduction of the cast are included. Also attached in the DVD is a 40 minute documentary on director Lee Gang-cheon produced by the Korean Film Archive in 2003, which is an important resource in understanding the actual film.
>> DVD SHOP
|
|
|
|
|
| Madame Freedom (Ja-yubu-in) (1956) |
|
 |
Director : Han Hyung-mo
Starring : Park Am,Kim Jeong-Rim,Yang Mi-Hee,Lee Min,Kim Dong-Won
Special Feature :
- Actor Lee Min on <Madame Freedom>
- Kim Jong-won on <Madame Freedom>
- Interview by Art Director Noh In-taek
- Still gallery / Poster / Cast & Crew
<Madame Freedom (Ja-yubu-in)>, the fourth film in the Korean Film Archive’s classical collection, is a film directed by Han Hyeong-mo, who led the popular films of Korea in the 1950s. This film is the most representative film of the ‘50s as well as the greatest box office hit, and brought about the fiercest debate in Korean film history, dealing with the affair of a professor’s wife.
The DVD of <Madame Freedom> includes an introduction of the piece that explores the era when the film was made and the film’s significance in Korean film history, as well as a foreword written by director Han Hyeong-mo. More notably, actor Lee Min, who played the part of Shin Choon-ho, the college student who has an affair with Madame Oh, the wife of a professor, recounts the social and cultural setting of the ‘50s in the 40 minute documentary portion that is added as a special feature to the DVD.
>> DVD SHOP
|
|
|
|
|
| The Hand of Fate (1954) |
|
 |
Director : Han Hyung-mo
Starring : Lee Hyang, Yun In-ja, Joo Sun-tae
Special Feature :
- Special Documentary
- Kim Jong-won on <The Hand of Fate>
- Interview by Art Director Noh In-taek
- Still gallery / Poster / Cast & Crew
This movie is the second film that Han Hyung-mo produced after debuting as a director with <Breaking the Wall> in 1949. Margaret (Jung-as, played by Yun in-ja), a North Korean spy working as a bar girl at a saloon. Happens to save a working student, Shin Young-chul (played by Lee Hyang), who is being pursued as a thief. Margaret does not know why, but she begins to take an interest in Young-chul and invites him to her house to tend to his wounds and give him something to eat before sending him on his way.
One day, Margaret meets Young-chul on the dock while he is working as a cargo laborer. She shows him kindness by buying him clothes and shoes, and then quietly confesses her heart to him. Afterward, the two become lovers and have a wonderful time together. However, even as all this is happening, Margaret feels torn between her identity as a spy and love for Young-chul.
>> DVD SHOP
|
|
|
|
|
| Yangsan Province (1955) |
|
 |
Director : Kim Ki-young
Starring : Kim Sam-hwam, Cho Yong-soo, Kim Seung-ho, Park Am
Special Feature :
- Kim Ki-young on Kim Ki-young (extracted from an interview recorded by KOFA)
- Kim Jong-won on
- Still gallery / Poster / Finding lost cuts / Cast & Crew
<Yangsan Province> (1955) is the second feature length filmod Kim Ki-young. Soo-dong (Jo Yong-soo) and Ok-ran (Kim Sam-hwa) have been promised to each ortherfor marriage since before they were ever born. Moo-Ryomg (Prak Am), the son of Master Kim, returns from Hanyang and begins to want Ok-ran for himself. Ok-ran's mother, who never thought Soo-dong was good enough, uses this opportunity to make plans with Madame Kim to marry her daughter off to Moo-ryong. But Ok-ran's father refuses to let that happen and burns up the silk that comes as a wedding present. One night, Soo-dong is dragged away by Master Kim's servants, who are displeased with the situation, take Ok-ran and Soo-dong to the fields and secretly wed the couple, who then leave the village and escape.
>> DVD SHOP
|
|
|
|
|
| Hurrah! For Freedom (1946) |
|
 |
Director : Choi In-kyu
Starring : Jeon Cahng-geun, Yoo Kye-sun, Hwang Ryuh-hee, Kim Seung-ho
Special Feature :
- Kim Jong-won on <Hurrah! For Freedom>
- Still gallery / Poster / Finding lost cuts / Cast & Crew
<Hurrah! For Freedom> was a feature film made right after the August 15th liberation with the biggest movie stars and most popular director, producers, director of photography, and staff of the Korean film industry of the time. It is a significant film in cinema history, as it was permeated by a clear anti-Japanese message. August 1945, Seoul. Betrayed by Nambu (Dok eun-gi), an informant for the Japanese. Choi Han-joong (Jeon Chang-geun) had been imprisoned for his work in the independence movement. At the beginning of the film, Choi and fellow prisoner Chang-geun break out of the prison, but Chang-geun is shou and killed by the guards. Choi escapes and hides in his comrade's house. Introduced by his comrade, Han-joong then takes refuge in the house if Jye-ja (hwang Ryuh-hee), a nurse at the hospital. |
>> DVD SHOP
|
|
