Contemporary Cinema at Florence’s Korea Festival

Until Friday, April 7: FLORENCE KOREA FILM FESTIVAL. Cinema La Compagnia, via Cavour 50/r, virtual, Più Compagnia, Mymovies.it.

The Florence Korea Film Festival is back for its 21st edition at La Compagnia, once again gracing the screen with today’s best new Korean cinema. With over 60 films presented in five different categories, the festival offers something for everyone from short films to K-dramas and intense thrillers. The director, Richard Gelli, and Taegukgi, the Tuscan Korean Association, continue their partnership to organize this festival as they pursue their goal of introducing the alluring richness of Korean culture to the Italian public.

The festival is clearly and confidently presenting this year’s overall theme personified by fierce and rebellious steampunk young woman as the cover of this year’s poster. As their manifesto states, organizers hope to bring recognition to the central role of women in society and south Korean film in an ever-changing world of “new needs, traditions, and sense of ethics” as we struggle through political and ecological strains. The program’s newest category, K-women, aims to showcase this theme directly, by illustrating the unique and diverse role of the female protagonist in Korean film.

Three other categories provide insight into a more inclusive collection of Korean film. The most extensive category, Korean Horizons, offers the widest range of films from thrillers to comedies, highlighting the impressive creativity of the fast-growing industry. The final two sections Independent Korean and Corto Corti, offer a way to watch the newer, up and coming indie and short films on the big screen. With a line up as manifold as this, the festival caters to all ages and interests.

This year’s festival also offers a special tribute to popular Korean actor Park Hae-il. Seven of his biggest films will be shown, including Waikiki Brothers (2001) on April 5 at 3:30 pm and Jealousy is My Middle Name (2003) on April 4 at 3:30 pm, allowing viewers to experience his personal artistic journey.

All films will be accompanied by subtitles both in Italian and English. Tickets for the festival are available online, and the films can be enjoyed either in person at the Cinema La Compagna or in the comfort of one’s home online at MyMovies.it. Single screening tickets range from €4-6 depending on the time of the film, and daily tickets range from €8 – €12. More information is available on the webpage. https://koreafilmfest.com/fkff/