New Korean Cinema: Breaking the Waves

by Darcy Paquet

New Korean Cinema charts the dramatic transformation of South Korea's film industry from the democratization movement of the late 1980s to the 2000s new generation of directors. The author considers such issues as government censorship, the market's embrace of Hollywood films, and the social changes which led to the diversification and surprising commercial strength of contemporary Korean films. Directors such as Hong Sang-soo, Kim Ki-duk, Park Chan-wook, and Bong Joon-ho are studied within their historical context together with a range of films including Sopyonje (1993), Peppermint Candy (1999), Oldboy (2003), and The Host (2006).

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Read For School

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amirhossein · Rating 4 out of 5]

بین کتاب‌هایی که به سینمای کره پرداختن، این جزء یکی دو تای اوله. کتاب جمع و جوریه و کل تاریخ سینمای کره رو هم شامل نمی‌شه؛ از ۱۹۸۰ شروع می‌کنه و تا اواسط ۲۰۰۰ رو می‌گه. یکی از نکات مهم درباره تاریخ سینمای کره دونستن تحولات اجتماعی، سیاسی حاکم بر کره است که این کتاب تقریبا به طور مختصر این مساله رو هم پوشش داده.
کتاب خیلی دنبال بحث درباره فیلم‌ها و زیبایی‌شناسی سینمای کره نیست و تمرکزش بیشتر روی نقاط عطف و تحولات ساختاری سینمای کره است.
در کل خیلی جذاب بود. اگر به سینمای کره علاقه‌ دارین، پیشنهاد می‌کنم بخونین.

[Schlopsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An essential tool for the understanding of Modern Korean Cinema. Not only from the point of filmic auteurs, but the industry itself in recognition of social shake ups. Recommended to everyone who is looking for a "shortcut" of the Korean New Wave.

[Viet Phuong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darcy Paquet did a very good job in summarizing the socio-political changes within South Korea since the early 1980s that led to the evolution of South Korean cinema, from a small community of artists chained by dictatorial censorship in the first half of the 1980s, to a major industry that is both very profitable and creative by the early 2000s. Major films and auteurs throughout these three decades are also appropriately mentioned, although the discussion on changes in themes, moods, and film-making process is far from enough for such an interesting cinema like South Korea's. It is difficult to blame the author about such uneven structure of the book, though, as it is pretty short. Hopefully Darcy Paquet will return with a "thicker" and more comprehensive look at the interesting South Korean cinema.

[Mark Bunbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book on a history of KOREAN movies

This book is a must read for any fan of the cinema world. A very concise. history of the cinema industry in Korea is given as well as the diverse eras from 1980 to 2006 in this industry. Also given are brief but to the point notes on KOREAN directors as well as a good description of the movies that changed this industry. So much so that I have listed directors names & have commenced purchasing books on Park Chan-wook with more to follow.

An excellent read as well as a directory of both directors & films.

[Pajor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read book that explores every essential aspect of modern Korean cinema, from its evolution to the social and political dynamics that shape it today.

[Filip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Další velký exkurz do korejské historie a jejího vlivu na celý filmový průmysl. Bohaté na informace a kontext, ale jinak nenabízí žádné velké objevy, spíše jenom pomáhá správně propojit informace. Zároveň mi přijde, že sto stránek (z toho opravdu pouze asi polovina věnována New Korean Cinema) je v tomto případě málo.

[Jerry Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy is a gem, and I appreciate his dedication to Korean Cinema. This book provided the insight and background I needed to truly appreciate the subject.

[Barry Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch my review on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzJRI...