Zen and ... that film

[Stephen Cremin]

Perhaps Gavin's question about the Korean film title has already been 
answered in a later mailing, but I just want to quickly nail on the head any 
misconception that I'm an expert on Korean film.  I'm currently drowning in 
it - having watched three Korean films today - but I'm certainly no expert.  
Anyway, the film Gavin was refer(r)ing to was Im Kwon-Taek's 1981 "Mandala" 
which got a limited release in the UK in October 1994 alongside the "Seoul 
Stirring" season at the ICA.  That season also included Jang Sun-Woo's 
"Hwa-Om-Kyung" which is also of interest within the current discussion on 
Zen/Shinto/Buddhist film.

Oh, and, I've been advising the Asian programme of the Leeds International 
Film Festival (UK) in October and I'm extremely proud to announce that we 
have the international premiere of "Harmonium in My Memory" in the 
competition.  Its my favourite Korean film from the first half of this year 
and I'm flummoxed as to why its not playing in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, 
etc.  Nobody dies at the end and there's no sex ... perhaps that the reason? 
  And its a luuurve story.  Anyway, Japanese films in the competition 
section include "PORNOSTAR" and "avec mon mari".  Former being my favourite 
Japanese debut of 1998, which I kind of interpret as a religious film - 
don't ask - if that justifies its mention in this posting.

And ...  an English-language anthology on Korean film is being prepared.  
I'm not sure whether this is meant to be public knowledge yet, so if anybody 
is interested in contributing, contact me and I'll pass on your contact 
details to the editor.

Finally, when the Toronto programme is announced later this week, can 
someone at least post the Japanese films to the list?

Stephen Cremin
Asian Film Library

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