The London East Asia Film Festival is taking place this year from the 23rd – 25th October. Next month is the perfect time to indulge in some Korean cinema as LEAFF has announced South Korean blockbuster ‘Veteran’ as the Opening Gala film for the festival. ‘Veteran’, directed and written by Ryoo Seung-wan, is an action, comedy film with lashings of crime drama in the mix. It is kick-starting the anticipated event on the evening of Friday 23rd October at the Odeon Leicester Square and Ryoo Seung-wan will be in attendance for a Q & A!
“Veteran pits rule-breaking but incorruptible police detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) against superrich, sociopathic corporate heir Cho Tae-oh (Yoo Ah-in). This comic action extrava-ganza takes us on an exciting, often very funny ride through Korea’s social divisions and rough justice (Gangnam-style or otherwise), and features the kind of thrilling, elaborate and hilariously over-the-top action sequences that have become Ryoo’s stock in trade. Released in domestic cinemas in August, the film has already struck a chord with local audiences, becoming one of the most popular films of all time in its home country.” (source: LEAFF)
The London East Asia Film Festival represents the very best of East Asian cinema, showcasing pictures from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other East Asian countries in just 3 nights. The festival provides interaction between audiences and the people in the industry by offering Q & As after the credits roll. This exposure of East Asian cinema showcases the remarkable artistic talents of producers, filmmakers and actors and helps audiences become involved in a culture that has recently become globally acclaimed.
LEAFF have commented: “For the initial edition, which will take place from the 23rd to the 25th October 2015, LEAFF will offer a small, selective showcase of major titles The years 2016 and beyond will see bigger programmes, including country and regional sections, horror and martial-arts strands, and retrospectives, together with a greater number of in-person events.”
To keep updated with the London East Asia Film Festival, check out their Facebook where they are unveiling the line up of fantastic films screening on the weekend of the 23rd – 25th October 2015.
London is becoming the hub for showings of excellent Korean cinema with the BFI London Film Festival just around the corner. Now is the time is get excited about Korean cinema!
