More Korean movies being pre-sold to overseas markets
- 5 years ago
A handful of South Korean films have been invited to this year's prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in France, which starts on Tuesday.... as more foreign movie distributors are keeping close tabs on the local industry.
Lee Min-sun reports.
The 2019 Cannes Film Festival has invited some new South Korean films to join the glitz and glamor in the south of France.
They include "Parasite" directed by Bong Joon-ho and Lee Won-tae's "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil".
These films are generating a lot of buzz in the movie world,... especially with a recent pre-sale record set by "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil".
It has proved so popular that Sylvester Stallone's Balboa Productions has bought the rights to remake the film.
Lee Won-tae's film attracted buyers with three-minute long promotion clips at the American Film Market last year and a staggering 104 countries decided to buy and premiere the film in their countries' cinemas.
The original movie stars popular Korean actor Ma Dong-seok.
Ma will also play the leading role in the Hollywood remake.
"I think the concept of the film, a gangster cooperating with a police officer to catch a murderer is really captivating to foreign buyers. Also, having actor Ma Dong-seok as one of the leading roles contributed to the appeal of the film. There it is, the three components of a successful movie, a trustworthy production, a well-known actor and a hooking concept."
Pre-sales of Korean films have been increasing since the 2010s through international film markets at film festivals dotted around the world.
A pre-sale in the movie industry is signing a deal to screen a film before production is complete.
Recently, a growing number of Korean films have been sold to an increasing number of foreign countries.
"Train to Busan" was sold to 156 countries and "Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds" and "Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days" to 107 countries.
"Korean movies started to command attention at international events and film festivals, with film directors like Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook and Kim Jee-woon. That's when Korean films started to turn heads, changing the way Korean movies are viewed locally and globally."
With the Korean Wave spreading across the globe, industry watchers say the ongoing popularity of Korean films around the world will cement South Korea's status as a country that produces reliable and entertaining films.
However, they emphasize the importance of creating more unique and eye-catching content to ensure South Korea hangs on to its prized position.
Lee Min-sun, Arirang News.
Lee Min-sun reports.
The 2019 Cannes Film Festival has invited some new South Korean films to join the glitz and glamor in the south of France.
They include "Parasite" directed by Bong Joon-ho and Lee Won-tae's "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil".
These films are generating a lot of buzz in the movie world,... especially with a recent pre-sale record set by "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil".
It has proved so popular that Sylvester Stallone's Balboa Productions has bought the rights to remake the film.
Lee Won-tae's film attracted buyers with three-minute long promotion clips at the American Film Market last year and a staggering 104 countries decided to buy and premiere the film in their countries' cinemas.
The original movie stars popular Korean actor Ma Dong-seok.
Ma will also play the leading role in the Hollywood remake.
"I think the concept of the film, a gangster cooperating with a police officer to catch a murderer is really captivating to foreign buyers. Also, having actor Ma Dong-seok as one of the leading roles contributed to the appeal of the film. There it is, the three components of a successful movie, a trustworthy production, a well-known actor and a hooking concept."
Pre-sales of Korean films have been increasing since the 2010s through international film markets at film festivals dotted around the world.
A pre-sale in the movie industry is signing a deal to screen a film before production is complete.
Recently, a growing number of Korean films have been sold to an increasing number of foreign countries.
"Train to Busan" was sold to 156 countries and "Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds" and "Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days" to 107 countries.
"Korean movies started to command attention at international events and film festivals, with film directors like Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook and Kim Jee-woon. That's when Korean films started to turn heads, changing the way Korean movies are viewed locally and globally."
With the Korean Wave spreading across the globe, industry watchers say the ongoing popularity of Korean films around the world will cement South Korea's status as a country that produces reliable and entertaining films.
However, they emphasize the importance of creating more unique and eye-catching content to ensure South Korea hangs on to its prized position.
Lee Min-sun, Arirang News.