Korean cinema is descending on Scotland in a big way this summer as the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced a full Korean showcase as part of its lineup this year, which will feature five recent features along with two shorts. Renowned director BONG Joon-ho will also take part as the head of this year’s International Competition jury. He will be serving along with actress Natalie Dormer and film critic Siobhan Synnot.  “It’s a huge honour for our festival to have BONG Joon-ho, one of the greatest directors,” said EIFF Artistic Director Chris Fujiwara.

 

The showcase, named ‘Focus on Korea,’ features RYOO Seung-wan’s spy thriller The Berlin File, O Muel’s feted Jeju Massacre drama Jiseul, CHUNG Ji-young’s torture expose National Security, SHIN Su-won’s stylish high school thriller Pluto and LEE Hyun-jung’s experimental auto-biographical documentary Virgin Forest. Joining these will be two shorts, Homo Coreanicus and Day Trip, the latest collaboration between brothers PARK Chan-wook and PARK Chan-kyong.

 

‘Focus on Korea’ is supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Cultural Center UK. EIFF will take place from June 19-30 this year.