Berlinale Generation takes Punch

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Korean Film News

NEWS & REPORTS

Berlinale Generation takes Punch

Dec 15, 2011

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South Korean hit film <Punch>, directed by LEE Han, is set to go to the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival’s Generation section this coming February. The film made it onto a list of 14 early selections announced yesterday (Dec. 14).

In its 35th year, the Generation section is programmed with films for young people and teenagers. The section is divided into Generation Kplus and Generational 14plus competitions, and <Punch> will be in the latter.

Based on a local novel, the film’s protagonist Wan-deuk is a teenage boy dealing with poverty, an oft-absent hunchbacked father, and a new revelation from his teacher and next-door neighbor that his runaway mother is Filipino and still living in Korea.

<Punch> made its world premiere at the last Busan International Film Festival in the Open Cinema section where it gained word-of-mouth for its interesting story and charismatic performances. Released in Korea Oct. 20, <Punch> has clocked up a total of 5.26 million admissions for distributor CJ E&M.

YU A-in, alternately known as YU Aine and YOO Ah-in, plays the troubled young Wan-deuk who takes up kickboxing. The actor previously starred in other films such as the gay patisserie drama<Antique> and family film<Skeletons in the Closet>. Most recently he starred in the popular period drama <Sungkyunkwan Scandal> on TV.

Wan-deuk’s idiosyncratic teacher, who turns out to be something of a social activist, is played by KIM Yun-seokfrom films such as <The Yellow Sea> and <Running Turtle>.Kim is also featuring in CHOI Dong-won’s upcoming heist film <The Thieves> which wrapped principal photography earlier this month.

The Berlinale’s announcement for the first films of the Generation section showcased 14 films from 16 different production and co-production countries.These included<Electrick Children> (US), directed by Rebecca Thomas;<Mustafa’s Sweet Dreams> (Greece-UK), directed by Angelos Abazoglou, and <Love Is in the Air> (Denmark-Sweden), directed by Simon Staho.

The Generation section’s full line-up is due to be announced in mid-January.The 62nd Berlinale will be held Feb. 9 – 19, 2012.

Dec. 15, 2011

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