What are you doing this weekend? Coming to KOFFIA that's what!

After a week of university assignments, work, household chores and all that other boring weekday stuff, TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday!) seems like an apt thing to scream at the top of your lungs before you jump into KOFFIA’s exciting weekend of films, events and forums!


This Saturday, the Young Korean Filmmakers in Australia (YKFA) awards will be presented with a talk on digital aesthetics by lecturer and author Bruce Isaacs, whose expertise in critical approaches to film production will certainly get us thinking about the innovative practices currently used in digital cinema, and the endless possibilities that lie before future filmmakers.

The short film Night Fishing by Park Chan Wook (which was completely filmed on an iPhone!) will also be screened with Blue by Stephen Kang - a Grand Prix Canal award winner from the Critic's Week at Cannes Film Festival this year.

And just when you thought your brain wouldn’t be able to handle any more awesomeness, KOFFIA is holding a special ‘Meet the Director’ forum with director Ryoo Seung Wan, whose specialty in hard-boiled Korean thrillers will have eager fans and budding filmmakers fighting for a seat in this free event.


Catch the screening of Earth’s Women at 2.00pm, an industry forum on Korean cinema’s place in Australia, held by Richard Gray and Mathieu Ravier, and the final screening of The Journals of Musan at 4.30pm to close a fantastic Saturday with KOFFIA.


When Sunday comes around, the show must go on with a screening of… The Show Must Go On! Park Chan Wook’s riveting political thriller, JSA: Joint Security Area will also be screened before a thought-provoking industry forum is held on the representation of the Korean War in cinema, led by Dr. Jane Park and Dr. Leonid Petrov from the University of Sydney.

With these two experts combining their knowledge on Asian representations in film and Korea’s social, economic and historical background, audiences will be offered insightful views and ideas on the films JSA, Secret Reunion and The Journals of Musan.

With KOFFIA there are no excuses for staying home and being bored out of your mind this weekend! Join us at the Dendy Opera Quays for a cinematic experience like no other!

A successful opening for KOFFIA

With a serviette full of traditional Korean food, glasses of rice wine and sweet treats, those who were lucky enough to secure a seat to the opening night of the 2011 Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) were all smiles at the Dendy Opera Quays on Wednesday night.

In the crowd of excited festival-goers were students, couples, tourists, journalists and cameramen who thrived in the air of anticipation as The Unjust, was screened with a special Q &A session to be held afterward with director, Ryoo Seung-Wan, and producer Kang Hye-Jung. Thanks to the friendly service of the volunteers, the sold-out theatre was filled with ease and comfort before a few formal words were delivered by the directors of the festival, the Korean Consulate General, director Ryoo and producer Kang.

If you missed out on tickets for the big opening night, don’t be dismayed. There is still a fantastic screening schedule ahead and if the opening night is any indication of what the rest of the festival will be like, we can definitely look forward to a rollercoaster ride of excitement, fun and pure cinematic enjoyment.

A Secret Reunion of Brothers Divided

Reunification is not easy, but friendships aren’t impossible

When a North Korean spy and a South Korean federal agent feature as the two central characters of a film, we're usually in for lots of action, close calls and chase sequences. What we don’t expect is a heart-warming friendship, light-hearted comedy and a touching story that challenges the importance of political ideologies in the face of love and compassion.

Secret Reunion is a film that is as thought-provoking as it is moving and hilarious. With strong performances delivered by acting-veteran Kang-ho Song and young heart-throb Dong-won Kang, Secret Reunion combines the best of Korea’s acting talent with a dually compelling and poignant plot.

Offering insights into the cinematic fantasy of North and South Korean friendship, Secret Reunion draws on Korea’s contemporary cultural and social life to signify the values and morals we all share, regardless of where we come from.

Book your tickets now with KOFFIA, and catch the film that thrived at the Korean box office in 2010.

'Bloody Friday' A Double Headless Header Film Night

Fridays will never be the same with our FRIGHTFUL BLOODY FRIDAY film night on AUGUST 26th from 6PM starting with the ultra-violence hard-boiled Fight Club-esque flick NO BLOOD NO TEARS, then at 8:30PM with a trip to Blood Island for the bloodiest revenge drama you will ever see BEDEVILLED.

For $20 only, see two great films that are bound to keep you at the edge of your seats. Dress up in your best horror or thriller costume for your chance to win some amazing goodies! A door prize will also be available!

The director and festival special guest RYOO SEUNG-WAN (Arahan, City of Violence) will also be present for a Q&A after the No Blood No Tears session.

See our amazing flyer below for more details - to reserve your tickets, contact book@koffia.com.au now!

KOFFIA 2011 in Trailer Form!

THE UNJUST

SECRET REUNION

THE MAN FROM NOWHERE

NO BLOOD NO TEARS

BEDEVILLED

EARTH'S WOMEN

THE JOURNALS OF MUSAN

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

JSA JOINT SECURITY AREA

SHIM'S FAMILY

OKI'S MOVIE

A BAREFOOT DREAM

BLUE

NIGHT FISHING