[identity profile] shanny-w.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] omonatheydid
Thriller beats out vampire flick and farmer documentary



SEOUL -- "Mother," the latest feature from Bong Joon-ho, has been selected to represent Korea for the best foreign-language film in the next year's Oscar.

The strength of the story's narrative, its potential for a wide release in the U.S. and the director's reputation were considered as priorities for the final contender, the Korean Film Council said.

Six films were submitted to compete for the Korean finalist including Yu Ha's "Frozen Flower," Park Chan-wook's "Thirst" and Lee Chung-ryul's "Old Partner," and were reviewed by a jury that included director Lee Myung-se ("Nowhere to Hide").

"Mother" was released domestically in May, and garnered more than 3 million admissions, falling below the score of the director's previous films like "The Host," which set the record as the biggest boxoffice hit in Korean film history, with 13 million filmgoers.


The story, set in a rural village, traces the battle of an anxious mother (Kim Hye-ja) out to prove the innocence of her mentally challenged son (Won Bin) who is accused of murdering a high school girl. The film premiered at Cannes in May.


"One of the most critical considerations (for the selection) was to see whether the film had reflected on sentiment particular in Korea," said in a jury statement. "We also had to consider if the film was compelling enough to appeal to juries who didn't know anything about the country or whether the film's distribution had the ability to be marketed abroad."

In the statement, the juries also added that "Thirst," despite the film's strong plot and solid distribution network, was unfit for Oscar's popular tastes. "Old Partner," a documentary about a farmer and his cow, was considered "too local" in its appeal.

"While 'Mother' had a flaw in its ambiguous construction packaged as a mystery thriller, it was agreed that the story of a mother had a genuine appeal and that the director's previous work "Memories of Murder" was well-regarded in the United States," the release said.

The nominations for foreign-language film will be announced on Feb. 2, with the ceremony set for March 7.


Source

Mother---Film Review

Date: 2009-08-11 02:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] djclazzi.livejournal.com
I read a lot of good reviews for it from American critics that saw it at Cannes, so this is probably a good choice.

Date: 2009-08-11 02:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] finchburg.livejournal.com
As much as I love Grandma Goong... America is loosing it's shit over Vampires right now so Thirst could have had a chance!

Date: 2009-08-11 02:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] finchburg.livejournal.com
HDU Eric doesn't sparkle.

Date: 2009-08-11 12:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] iluvkidnappers.livejournal.com
.........AH I JUST NOTICED ITS HER holyshiz i love that woman lol

Date: 2009-08-11 02:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hi-junpei.livejournal.com
I loved Thirst, I haven't seen this one though. It'd have to be pretty good to be that movie though!

Date: 2009-08-11 02:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] polyurethane.livejournal.com
This movie sounds pretty good.

I hope it does well!

Date: 2009-08-11 02:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] she-devil666.livejournal.com
sounds really interesting from the review :) though I didn't much care for 'host' XD I really should try watching it again :( I got like I guess 20 minutes in and stopped ('cause my internet cut off XD) and hadn't been able to bring myself to watch it again D: those 20-some minutes had me laughing like crazy and shaking my head though!

Date: 2009-08-11 02:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] labobo93.livejournal.com
I need to see this right now.
This and Thirst.

In fact, I just need to re-associate myself with Korean entertainment that's not kpop.

Date: 2009-08-11 03:32 am (UTC)

Date: 2009-08-11 03:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beautifiers.livejournal.com
"Mother" sounds heartbreaking ngl

Date: 2009-08-11 04:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] noirsama.livejournal.com
these movies got pretty good reviews and critics.. i have to see them all XD

Date: 2009-08-11 05:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowfax.livejournal.com
I've been wanting to see this. I think it's a good choice for Oscars.

Date: 2009-08-11 05:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] -ochre.livejournal.com
Mmmmm. I just want to watch this already.

Date: 2009-08-11 07:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] unsospiro.livejournal.com
Dude, Won Bin can ACT.

Date: 2009-08-11 09:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gingerloop.livejournal.com
i wanna watch this so bad :(

Date: 2009-08-11 09:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] badkittydead.livejournal.com
I saw this movie last week at the film festival and I thought it was really good (Wonbin's acting!!), better than thrist that I also saw so I'm glad it's getting nominated by S.Korea.

Date: 2009-08-12 03:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] flawl3ss27.livejournal.com
Ahh! I hope all goes well. :D I've wanted to watch this movie ever since I heard about it. ♥

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