Korean Film Festival Coming to Hollywood

[The following news release was provided by a representative for the Korean Film Festival. It has been edited for brevity and clarity.]

The first "Look East: Korean Film Festival," a celebratory weekend of Korean filmmaking will come to Hollywood Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24.  Hyundai Motors serves as a Lead Festival sponsor of the festival.

Marking the first time in its 85-year history, Korean performers will cast their hand and footprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday, June 23. This includes Korean actor Byung-hun Lee, an award-winning international star who recently appeared as Storm Shadow in Paramount Pictures’ G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and will be seen this summer in the sequel, G.I. Joe 2: The Retaliation, alongside Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson.  Lee’s rise to fame was his role in A Bittersweet Life.

“American filmmakers and audiences have always been intrigued with the Far East and especially with action stars from that part of the world,” says G.I. Joe movie producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura.  “Working with Korean actor Byung-hun Lee on G.I. Joe 2: The Retaliation was a wonderful experience.  His energy and charisma truly come to life on film.”

Also casting hand and footprints at Grauman’s will be Sung-ki Ahn, a veteran Korean star who has appeared in nearly 100 movies and is considered to be one of the most respected, influential actors in Asia.  

Having great commercial success with Unbowed last year, Ahn’s star continues to rise.  Additionally, Pierre Rissient, an international film expert, French filmmaker and luminary who has long championed Korean cinema and has been instrumental in raising its profile worldwide will be in attendance and recognized for his contributions to Asian films.  

With over half a century of experience, Rissient is revered by filmmakers around the world including such American directors as Clint Eastwood, Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino, among others.Hollywood will recognize the rising Korean film industry with a series of new and classic films over the weekend.  Top Korean directors whose films will be screened include Kwon Taek Im, Jee-woon Kim and Chang-dong Lee.  Korean food and its savory flavors and ingredients will also be included with tastings at the reception.

A detailed schedule of festival events will be released in the coming weeks.