[Movie 2007] Secret Sunshine 밀양 Milyang

[Guest Epikt]

the No. 1 box-office hit was the Korean film "200-Pound Beauty," a plastic surgery transformation drama that attracted 6.3 million moviegoers across the nation

"Secret Sunshine" sold more than 16 million tickets across the nation, despite its serious subject matter and gloomy depiction of the tragic heroine.

There must be a mistake

(1.6 million ?)

[rubie]

July 30, 2007

Jeon Do-yeon

Actress nabs Korea's 1st acting award at Cannes

By DARCY PAQUET

Korean critics call Jeon Do-yeon a chameleon: able to lose herself so completely in a character that she's virtually unrecognizable. Her first two roles, in the wildly successful melodramas "The Contact" (1997) and "A Promise" (1998), made her a local star.

In the following year, her turn as a shy middle-school student in "A Harmonium in My Memory" and as the philandering housewife in "Happy End" led critics to name her one of the leading actresses of her generation. And yet, at 34, she is just hitting her prime.

At Cannes in May, when Alain Delon presented her with the best actress prize for Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine" -- in which she played a woman devastated by the loss of her son -- it was Korea's first acting award at the world's premiere film showcase. It also was considered the one award outside of the Palme d'Or that set all heads nodding in agreement.

The distinction allowed the rest of the world a glimpse at her proven mixture of artistry and commercial allure. Although never considered a pin-up idol, the energy she brought to her roles frequently pushed her to the top of the box office. "Dangerous Liaisons" adaptation "Untold Scandal" (2003) netted $17.4 million, while AIDS melodrama "You Are My Sunshine" (2005) earned $18.3 million.

Jeon says she was particularly thrilled to meet actress Maggie Cheung during her stay in Cannes. Indeed, it seems appropriate that the acclaimed Hong Kong thesp served on the jury that recognized Jeon, because when it comes to Asian acting talent, the two women have few equals.

Vocation: Actress. "I think this is a time to discover and find my other self."

Recent breakthrough: "Whether this is visible, or invisible, whether I can feel it or not, at this moment, I'm always growing and changing."

Role model: None.

Career mantra: "Punctuality, (and) I never pass the buck to anyone else."

What's next: "I don't usually like to set plans. That's why I always focus on the present and give everything I have."

Source: Variety.com

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111796927...yid=13&cs=1

[rubie]

Aug 2, 2007

Actress Jeon Do-yeon One of 50 Most Influential Women

Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon has officially become an influential world star. Jeon recently made the list of '50 Most Influential Women' released by America's Variety magazine.

Quoting Korean critics, Variety described Jeon as a "chameleon" actress who is capable of completely engaging herself in a given role. The magazine said Jeon received the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role as a mother who loses her only son in Lee Chang-dong's film "Secret Sunshine." The magazine went on to comment that it was the first time for a Korean to win an award for best acting in an international film festival and that it was the result of a unanimous decision.

In May, Variety chose Jeon as one of the 60 most prominent people to lead the future of the Cannes Festival.

Source: KBS Global

http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/new...9920_11858.html

[rubie]

August 3, 2007

Actress Jeon Named Leading Lady of Entertainment

On the heels of her win as best actress at the 60th Cannes Film Festival in May, Jeon Do-yeon has been named among the 50 most influential women in the entertainment industry by U.S. magazine "Variety".

Among all the entertainment categories including film, TV, and publishing, only four actresses were selected - Jeon, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren and Marion Cotillard.

"Korean critics call Jeon a chameleon," Variety wrote. "At Cannes in May, when Alain Delon presented her with the best actress prize for Lee Chang-dong's 'Secret Sunshine' -- in which she played a woman devastated by the loss of her son -- it was Korea's first acting award at the world's premiere film showcase. It also was considered the one award outside of the Palme d'Or that set all heads nodding in agreement.'

The magazine further hailed her, saying "When it comes to Asian acting talent, (Jeon and Cannes juror Maggie Cheung) have few equals."

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0708030005.html

[Guest el dia]

Secret Sunshine (DVDrip)

is now avaliable to download @ twoasone

[rubie]

^ Thanks Sarang for the very cool update!

Appreciate the sharing. :blush:

[rubie]

Monday, 20 August 2007

SidusHQ sets up shop in Beijing

Written by Darcy Paquet

SEOUL -- South Korea's leading talent management company SidusHQ has established a branch office in Beijing.

Launched in partnership with SK Telecom China, the office opens with $2.2 million of capital and will serve to promote the activities of Korean stars in the Chinese market. The company is also expecting to sign 3-4 Chinese stars to its roster in the near future.

Beijing Sidus HQ will pursue co-operative projects with Chinese agencies and promotional bodies. Mid-term plans also call for the establishment of a film production base. Meanwhile, the company has also reached an agreement with Chinese mobile firm Viatech to provide star photos, film clips, and other contents from companies under the umbrella of parent company iHQ, including SidusHQ, iFilm, Chungeorahm, and YTN Media.

SidusHQ represents a large collection Korean stars including Jeon Ji-hyun ("Blood: The Last Vampire"), Song Hye-gyo ("Hwang Jin Yi"), Cannes Palme d'Or winner Jeon Do-yeon ("Secret Sunshine") , Jung Woo-sung ("The Good, the Bad, the Weird"), etc. Parent company iHQ is owned by major telco SK Telecom.

Source: Variety Asia

http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/1915/

[rubie]

August 22, 2007

Jeon Do-yeon to Appear on CNN's "Talk Asia"

Actress Jeon Do-yeon, who won the Best Actress award at the latest Cannes Film Festival, will appear on CNN's talk show "Talk Asia."

The show introduces prominent people from Asia. Korean stars who have been invited to the show so far include singers Rain and BoA.

Jeon gave a two-hour interview to show host Anjali Rao, who visited Korea, on August 20.

In her interview, which was held in Maronier Park in downtown Seoul, Jeon spoke about her acting career.

Jeon, whose Cannes award has earned her global acclaim, was featured in Variety magazine as one of the 50 most influential women in the world.

Source: KBS Global

http://english.kbs.co.kr/mcontents/enterta...3880_11692.html

Jeon to Appear on CNN Program

Actress Jeon Do-yeon

Actress Jeon Do-yeon, who won the award for Best Actress at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, will appear on the CNN program "Talk Asia", Yonhap News said Wednesday.

Jeon, 34, was honored at the Cannes Film Festival in May for her moving role in "Secret Sunshine." directed by Lee Chang-dong.

"Jeon was interviewed by Anjali Rao, host of 'Talk Asia' who visited Seoul Monday," her agency, Sidus HQ, said Tuesday, according to Yonhap. The date the interview will be aired has not yet been set.

Jeon and Rao held the interview for nearly two hours, strolling through the cultural neighborhood of Daehangno in eastern Seoul, talking about her life and her filmography.

Jeon, since winning the Cannes honor, has received worldwide acclaim. She was voted one of the 50 most influential women in the world by U.S. magazine Variety. Korean superstars Rain and BoA have so far appeared on "Talk Asia."

Credits: janee@koreatimes.co.kr

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/speci...8/178_8806.html

[rubie]

Friday, 24 August 2007

Korean films vie for Oscar glory

Written by Darcy Paquet

SEOUL -- Three films from South Korea have applied to be the country's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 2008 Academy Awards.

The producers of Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine", Kim Ki-duk's "Breath" and local hit "May 18" all submitted applications to the Korean Film Council by the August 23 deadline.

One title among the three will be selected next month by a specially appointed committee. Last year's selection was period drama "King and the Clown". "Secret Sunshine" and "Breath" both screened in competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival, with the former picking up a Best Actress award for Jeon Do-yeon. "May 18", currently at #2 in the box office with 6.2 million admissions, is based on a real incident in 1980 in which government troops shot and killed hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators.

Each country devises its own rules for selecting one film to be submitted to the Academy for the Best Foreign Language Film category.

South Korea has never had a film selected to be one of the final five nominations voted on by the entire academy.

Source: Variety Asia

http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/1944/53/

[Guest jhessy]

Can someone post the sub for the dvd rip version pls. thanks in advance!

[rubie]

Thursday, 30 August 2007

Asian film fest lines up masters

Written by Vicki Rothrock

HONG KONG—The Hong Kong Asian Film Festival will show 80 films in 63 categories this year.

Fest, jointly organized by Ying E Chi and Broadway Cinematheque, will open Sept. 23 with Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution” and Stanley Tam’s “Breeze in July,” their Asian premieres.

The 18-day festival will close Oct. 10 with Jia Zhang-ke’s “Useless,” also an Asian preem, and Lee Chang Dong’s “Secret Sunshine” from Korea.

Ang Lee will be on hand during the fest to talk to new directors from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong as part of a New Directors Forum. Joining him will be Jia, Jiang Wen (“The Sun Also Rises”), Feng Xiaogang (“Assembly”) and Pang Ho-Cheung (“Exodus”), among others. All of their respective films will be shown as part of the fest.

New categories this year will include Chinese Cinema: A New Generation, Asian Classic, Midnite Craze and Festival Gala. There will also be a New Talent Award to help discover and promote new Asian directors. Seven pics will be shown in the latter category, including Adam Wong’s “Magic Boy” from Hong Kong.

Pics are from all over Asia: Iraq, Iran, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Macau, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

This will be the fest’s fourth year running.

Source: Variety Asia

http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/1986/53/

[rubie]

Synopsis: Secret Sunshine

A woman by the name of Shin-Ae and her only child move to the small town of Milyang, South Korea. Her husband has recently passed away and she has decided to start life anew back in the hometown of her deceased husband. While entering Milyang, Shin-Ae's car breaks down along a rural highway. She is able to get the local mechanic in Milyang, named Jong-chan, to come out to her car and start it once again. Although they come from different social backgrounds, the pair hits it off and seems to find comfort in each other's presence.

Tragedy soon strikes Shin-Ae again with the abduction of her only son. As Shin-Ae deals with another inexplicable tragedy she receives help from her friend Jong-chan to try to find the light that is buried somewhere within the darkness of her life.

Cast & Crew

Cast:

Do-yeon Jeon (Shin-Ae Lee)

Yeong-jin Jo (Do-Sub Park)

Yeong-jae Kim (Min-Kee Lee)

Kang-ho Song (Jong-Chan Kim)

Jung-yup Sun (June)

Mi-Rim Song (Jung-A)

Yun-Hee Lee (Jang-ro Kang)

Jong-su Kim (Sa-Jang Sin)

Crew:

Directer: Lee Chang-dong

Executive producers: Kim In-su, Lee Chang-dong

Produced: Hanna Lee

Camera: Jo Yong-Gyu Music: Christian Basso

Music: Christian Basso

Art Directer: Shin Jeon-Heui

Sound: Yun Hae-Jin, Steve R. Seo

Writer: Lee Chang-dong

Original Story: Yi Chong-jin

Distributor: Pine House Film

Movie Review: Secret Sunshine

Secret Sunshine is a blistering film, that could create a whole lot of controversy. Nothing brings an uproar faster than the topic of religion and Secret Sunshine doesn't hold back in questioning the existence of God or critiquing the role of religion in society.

A little background information about the film. The director of the film, Chang-dong Lee, is highly regarded in Korea for his three prior films "Oasis" "Peppermint Candy" and "Green Fish." Chang-dong Lee's prior film "Oasis" brought the director international acclaim, wining the prestigious Director's Award at the 2003 Venice Film Festival. Shortly after the release of "Oasis," Chang-dong Lee was even appointed as Korea's minister of culture and tourism. He resigned two years later to concentrate on his films. In Oasis, Moon So-Ri amazed with her unforgettable portrayal of a young lady afflicted with cerebral palsy. Similar to Moon So-Ri's memorable performance in Oasis, Secret Sunshine has Do-yeon Jeon giving a performance that is equal to, if not more, powerful.

It's no secret Do-yeon Jeon is a wonderful actress, just reference her performance in "You Are My Sunshine" or "My Mother Is A Mermaid" as proof. Yet, the brevity of pain she was able to express during her descent into darkness in "Secret Sunshine" was something to absolutely marvel at. During the final portions of the movie my hands were literally clenched to the armrests, out of this gripping fear of what she could possibly do next. I was actually praying another tragedy would not occur in her life.

Meanwhile, Kang-ho Song seems to get better and better with each movie that he performs in. Outside of "Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance," it seems Kang-ho Song plays nice characters that are bumbling in nature, but able to conquer whatever obstacles are placed in his way. His character in Secret Sunshine followed this motif somewhat, but during a scene towards the end of the film, I literally jumped out of my seat when he displayed an unexpected fit of rage. As a testament to his performance, horror movies never made me jump up from my seat, but Kang-ho Song certainly did. Yet, the manner in which his character was portrayed, you couldn't help to think that he was indeed a real life angel in Shin-Ae's life.

The structure of the story itself is unusual in that it flows in an unexpected circular nature, that starts off as a romantic drama, then a thriller, then turns into one lady's descent into her own heart of darkness. In retrospect the unpredictable storyline followed the predictable manner in which life itself sometimes unfolds : sudden changes that seems to come in waves. Some clues to what Chang-dong Lee may have tried to convey upon the audience can be revealed (without giving away the crux of the movie) by two brief scenes that occurred at the beginning and end of the film. When Shin-ae first came to Milyang, she went around town to solicit business for her piano lessons. She walked into a small clothing boutique and struck up a brief conversation with the owner of the store. The owner seemed to hold a grim internal mood, hidden somewhat by her stiff exterior expression. The boutique itself seemed to get very little business, while the interior of the stores was painted all in black. Shin-Ae gently smiled and offered this tip to the boutique owner before walking out, "If you change the interior to a brighter color, people will likely feel more comfortable and want to come into your store." At the end of the movie, the boutique owner had indeed re-designed the interior of her store, most notable would have been the walls that were now painted all in white. When the shop owner saw Shin-Ae, she smiled and laughed with a happiness that did not exist in her earlier scene.

Secret Sunshine is a movie that will likely stay in your mind for days after seeing the movie. The story was utterly riveting, while the performances by Do-yeon Jeon and Kang-ho Song were nothing short of brilliant. Questions that are often asked internally, but not as often asked in films, were boldly asked in Secret Sunshine. The answers were never clearly revealed in the film, but left to be answered internally by the viewer themselves. A fitting way to answer the film's original question I would say.

Source: The Seoul Times

http://theseoultimes.com/ST/photo_gallery/...=20070531-00100

[rubie]

September 03, 2007

[DVD review] Clouds break with secret sunshine

Secret Sunshine (Milyang)

A critic once wrote that the works of Hong Sang-soo and Lee Chang-dong contain the essence of pain and joy, in that Lee finds desperation when in search of hope while Hong captures the desperation hidden behind the hopeful gloss we put on daily reality.

That’s a compelling description of Lee’s latest movie, “Secret Sunshine” (Milyang), which was nominated this year for best film in the official competition at Cannes.

As the heroine’s life approaches the depths of despair halfway through the film, the audience can also feel their emotions sinking fast into the dark void. Then toward the end, she slowly helps them to rise above oblivion, offering an ambivalent suggestion of hope.

Milyang means “Secret Sunshine” in Korean and the film questions the purpose of hope, faith and human significance. The way the director makes his points is consistently low-key yet revealing.

The film is set in the rural town of Milyang where Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon ― who won the best actress award at Cannes), a young widow with a son named Jun, starts a new life in her late husband’s hometown.

Shin-ae opens a piano school for young children, trying to cope with small-town life and the frequent gossip and unwanted sympathy dispensed by her Christian neighbors who try to take her to a church to save her from her miserable past.

However, her true misery begins when her son is kidnapped and he is found murdered near a creek by his oratory teacher.

On the day she returns from the district office where she had to fill out a report about her son’s death, she finally breaks down and walks into a revival meeting, which had been advertised on a street banner with the promise that it will heal “wounded souls.”

Shin-ae’s spiritual peace seems to last for a while, until she learns that her son’s murderer has, all-too-conveniently, been “born-again” as a Christian in prison and is enjoying a life of peace and forgiveness, even though she has not forgiven him.

In its depictions of the pain and loss suffered by Shin-ae, the film is intense, sad and sometimes extremely funny.

There is a tinge of irony about the self-absorbed faith practiced by many Christians in Korea ― like in the scenes of clapping and praying loudly in a public park. The film outraged Korean Christians, who mobilized protests to boycott it.

Ironically, Secret Sunshine is one of the most interesting religious films I’ve seen. It questions the notion of spirituality and forgiveness in ways that no other Korean directors of fictions or documentaries have dared to do in the past.

The director, a former minister of culture and tourism, questions and confronts the Christian faith head-on and that seems brave and historic in a society where churches play a powerful role in many aspects of life.

The film never loses its sincerity, confirming Lee’s trademark as a humanist director.

The film maintains a tight balance between tragedy and hope through the presence of quiet humor and the genuine kindness of the character Jong-chan (Song Gang-ho), a slightly uncultured but friendly car mechanic who takes a romantic interest in the widow.

Jeon, who is a local TV star, practically leads the story on her own, offering a biting glimpse into the life of a grieving mother.

The film does not end on a joyful note, but at least the heroine finds a way to reconcile with the world, which is good enough for a movie that has so much pain at its core.

Title: Secret Sunshine (Milyang)

Director: Lee Chang-dong

Running Time: 142 minutes

Subtitles: English

Genre: Drama

By Park Soo-mee Staff Writer[myfeast@joongang.co.kr]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2880005

[HiroHikari]

Can someone here please post up Eng subs for this here? PM me if anything.

[Guest zefiris1]

for subs you can go to kloofy.com and register for an account. i saw some under the latest subtitle section.

does anyone know where i can get it on clubbox? i tried twoasone and im not sure if its titled just "sunshine" as i saw on one file, or if it was deleted.

[rubie]

Tuesday, 11 September 2007

"Secret Sunshine" to bid for Oscar glory

Written by Darcy Paquet

SEOUL -- South Korea has selected Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine" as its submission to the foreign language film category of the Academy Awards.

A special committee appointed by the Korean Film Council chose "Sunshine" over Kim Ki-duk's "Breath" and helmer Kim Ji-hoon's box office hit "May 18."

"Secret Sunshine" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it won an actress award for Jeon Do-yeon as a young widow who moves from Seoul to start over in a provincial city.

South Korea has never had a film selected for inclusion in the final five nominations.

The deadline for submissions is Oct. 1. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the nominations for foreign language film on Jan. 22. The Oscar ceremony takes place Feb. 24.

Source: Variety Asia

http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/2077/53/

[rubie]

'Secret Sunshine' Heads to Academy Awards

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 08:46:59

A Korean film that won actress Jeon Do-yeon top honors at this year's Cannes Film Festival will be the nation's submission for the Academy Awards next spring in the category for Best Foreign Language Film.

The Korean Film Council announced Monday that the choice of "Secret Sunshine" was made by six judges who assessed the overall quality, distribution capacity and public recognition of three films submitted for consideration.

The panel said they did not simply evaluate quality but chose the film they deemed most suitable to the U.S. awards ceremony's selection process. They described "Secret Sunshine" as a human story of one person's struggles with life which seemed most appropriate for the awards as it is built on Jeon's strong emotional performance.

The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, is one of the most prominent and most watched annual film awards ceremonies in the world. Each country is allowed to submit one film for consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Korea has yet to take home an Oscar for best foreign film.

Reported by KBS WORLD Radio

http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub...;key=2007091104

[rubie]

Friday, 14 September 2007

Filmex chooses "Secret" closing

Written by Mark Schilling

TOKYO -- Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine," Korea's entry in the the foreign-language film Oscar race, will close the Tokyo Filmex film festival, fest officials announced on Thursday. Lee will chair the competition jury.

The pic preemed in the Cannes competition this year. Jeon Do-yeon snagged best actress for her turn as a widow who leaves her home in Seoul with her young son to live in her dead hubby's provincial hometown. Pic also screened in Toronto.

Unspooling from Nov. 17 to 25, Tokyo Filmex's competition specializes in pics from emerging Asian talents.

Other sections include special screenings of pics from around the world and a retro usually devoted to a departed Asian helmer. The fest will announce its line-up, as well as the rest of its jury, Sept. 26.

Source: Variety Asia

http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/2096/53/

[Guest Epikt]

I saw this movie at a preview in Paris two or three days ago (Lee Chang-Dong and Jeon Do-Yeon were here too ^^).

The movie is good, especially thanks to a good story and characters (interresting, credible,...) and to the two actors' performance (btw, if Jeon Do-Yeon is not bad, Song Kang-Ho is much more better). But it suffers from a weak cinematography (as always on Lee Chang-Dong's movies, but more).

[Guest lucky_moon]

I couldn't find the single version sub of the movie..