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Edinburgh International Film Festival · 2013

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2013

Focus on Korea

Programme

6 films · 5 reviews

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The Berlin File

Review preview for The Berlin File

While the tension ratchets up, there are rockets, redemption, reams of secrets.

Andrew Robertson · 3.5 out of 5
As a North Korean spy suspects he has been set up, a South Korean spy uncovers a conspiracy.

(Country: South Korea; Year: 2013; Director: Ryoo Seung-wan; Stars: Ha Jung-woo, Han Suk-kyu, Gianna Jun, Ryoo Seung-bum)

Jiseul

In 1948, as the Korean government ordered the Communists’ eviction to Jeju Island, the military invaded a calm and peaceful village. Townsfolk took sanctuary in a cave and debated moving to a higher mountain.

(Country: South Korea; Year: 2013; Director: Muel O; Writer: Muel O; Stars: Min-chul Sung, Jung-won Yang, Young-soon Oh, Soon-dong Park, Suk-bum Moon, Kyung-sub Jang.)

Juvenile Offender (Beom-Joe So-Nyeon)

Review preview for Juvenile Offender

Kang Yi-kwan's film bristles with life despite his understated style.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
Released from a young offenders' institution into difficult circumstances, a troubled young man searches for stability.

(Country: South Korea; Year: 2012; Director: Kang Yi-kwan; Writer: Joo Young Park, Kang Yi-kwan; Stars: Lee Jung-hyun, Seo Young-ju, Jun Ye-jin)

National Security (Namyeong-dong 1985)

Review preview for National Security

Each of the performances adds to the whole but it's Won-sang Park who carries the film on his increasingly damaged shoulders.

Andrew Robertson · 4 out of 5
A pro-democracy activist faces off against his torturers, determined not to reveal his secrets.

(Country: South Korea; Year: 2012; Director: Chung Ji-young; Writer: Chung Sang-Hyup, Lee Dae-il, Kim Geun-tae, Kang Min-hee; Stars: Park Won-sang, Lee Kyeong-yeong, Myung Kye-nam)

Pluto

Review preview for Pluto

Pluto is an oddly funny film - inhabiting as isolated a world as its titular celestial body.

Scott Macdonald · 4 out of 5
A boy works hard to try and enter the elite class at his school, but is kept out by a brutal clique.

(Country: South Korea; Year: 2012; Director: Shin Su-won; Writer: Su-won Shin; Stars: David Lee, Sung June, Cho Sung-ha, Kim Kkob-bi, Kim Kwon)

Virgin Forest (Wonsirim)

Review preview for Virgin Forest

The documentary-style diary is interspersed with striking single shots of nature.

Scott Macdonald · 2 out of 5
Thoughts and confrontations about family history at the home of the director's deceased grandmother.

(Country: South Korea; Year: 2012; Director: Lee Hyun-jung; Stars: Lee Hyun-jung, Lim Ku-man, Lee Sang-woo)