The 7th annual London Korean Film Festival opened with an appropriate bang last night at the Odeon West End with box office behemoth, the high octane heist action comedy The Thieves, chosen as the gala presentation. Star Kim Yoon-seok and director Choi Dong-hun were also in attendance to introduce the film and particulate in a post-screening Q&A.
The packed cinema audience was clearly enraptured by the film itself (our review is here) and even if the cinema’s muted PA system left much be desired during the opening speeches and Q&A , Yoon-seok and Dong-hun’s affable and humorous discussion about the making of process (delivered via a translator) proved to be an enjoyable half hour for those who remained behind after the screening.
Drinks and canapés were served next door at the Radisson Blu Edwardian after the Q&A, where a representative from London’s Korean Cultural Centre welcomed the two special guests and presented the duo with a specially-packaged record of their work, and invited them to each make a handprint (pictured below) which will be permanently displayed at the centre.
Screenings will continue around the capital until next week, with films being shown at a selection of Odeon cinemas, the ICA and the aforementioned Cultural Centre. After that the festival will branch out to venues around the country, including screening in Glasgow, Bristol and Bournemouth.
For full details on the line up of films and other related events, and how to book, check out the London Korean Film Festival website.
