As the end of 2006 approaches, it is clear that Korean cinema now has a full-grown blockbuster system, Hollywood-style, or perhaps I should say, “Hallyuwood”-style. Korean cinema has indeed reached an all-time high, at least in terms of dimensions and proportions, which can only be qualified as monstrous. This somewhat oversize monster of an entity, arguably the strongest component of the country’s overall cultural industry, seems to have found its perfect embodiment in one movie: The Host by Bong Joon-Ho, which has become the center of all debates on the future of Korean cinema since its local theatrical release in July. The tremendous passion generated by this (literally) monster movie seems inextricably linked to the questions and uncertainties that have come with the increase in power and money that the industry has experienced.

If these questions were on the beautiful people’s minds gathered on this beautiful (but a little chilly) Sunday evening, one month ago in Seoul, it certainly did not show. Quite the contrary… Lots of glitter, lots of gold… In fact, an evening so glamorous that it is a wonder vh1 did not cover it. It was the 5th Korean Film Awards. Like the Oscars, Korean-style. The ceremony, based on the principle of qualitative evaluation, with an eye on box-office performances, turned out to be (unsurprisingly) the unmitigated consecration of The Host and of its creator. After only 3 films (before The Host, he made Memories of Murder and Barking Dogs Never Bite), 37 year-old director Bong Joon-Ho has definitely imposed a signature and achieved wide recognition (except perhaps from Kim Ki-Duk) in his own country. Only one actress of the cast was there, though: Ko Ah-Sung, who happens to be 14 years old (well, 15, in Korean years) and was therefore the youngest star of the show.

The “party” was sponsored by MBC (http://koreafilm.imbc.com/), and is one among many ceremonies of this type in Korea. The main one, “The Blue Dragon” (“Cheongryong”) Awards) is coming out this week (Dec. 15). Its rival, “The Grand Bell Awards” (“Daejong”) will not be held until late spring. Whether or not they will consecrate The Host some more is the question. At any rate, the monster film scooped a total of 6 prizes without breaking too much of a sweat, for best cinematography, best director, best lighting, best special effects (Weta Digital -The Lord of the Rings-, John Cox's Creature Workshop and The Orphanage -Silent Hill), best sound effects, and best film...

The Host has already caught the attention of Americans distributors. Universal has obtained the rights for a remake, outbidding Roy Lee and Doug Davidson (Vertigo Entertainment), and Gold Circle Producing. Nothing has been said about the filmmaker or the casting of the remake so far, but one thing seems almost certain: the project will most likely get major starpower and a large budget.

The film was released on November 10 in the UK and the dvd should be released in Korea and Hong Kong this month (if it is not out already).
Interestingly, The Host is enjoying unprecedented critical success in France (released on November 22nd). I have yet to read a single negative review of the film. However, the film has only met with moderate popular success there, as it has in Japan, for reasons that may have something to do with its being marketed and sold as a “horror flick”. Which it is not (there is about as much horror in The Host as there is in, say, Shaun of the Dead).

The film, distributed by Magnolia Pictures in the US, is scheduled for release on Jan. 24th 2007, in Boston, MA: Museum of Fine Arts. Jan. 26th 2007, in Scottsdale, AZ: Camelview 5 Theatre. On Feb. 23rd 2007, Saint Petersburg, FL: Eckerd College.

For more details: Magnolia Pictures Site

Very soon, then.