The 2012 Dallas International Film Festival is in full swing. One of the highlights and most anticipated films of the Fest is the the South Korean war epic MY WAY. Director Kang Je-kyu, effectively the Steven Spielberg of Korean cinema, is in town to show his film which is easily one of the most noteworthy films at the DIFF.
My Way is the WWII era film about two rivals in colonial-era Seoul whose war time paths take them any to from their homes, across Asia and Europe as well as Normandy beach. An emotional film with action and effects that would make Michael Bay jealous, My Way also contains Spielberg levels of heart, character, scope and story. It is the pride of Korea it also has the distinction of being the largest and most expensive film the the country’s history. Even more amazing is that this is based on true events, some of which are so unbelievable you just have to see them for yourself.
We were lucky enough to sit down with Kang Je-kyu to discuss his important film. By way of his interprer, here’s what he had to say about MY WAY…
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On Tuesday April 17th, a special screening of My Way was featured (with Kang Je-kyu present to introduce and hold a Q&A) as part of the DIFF Centerpiece series. It had one more showing the Magnolia the following night and was met with simply overwhelming praise and support. We highly suggest you catch it either at an upcoming Festival or at a theater in your area.
If you missed My Way at the Festival, you can read our review or the synopsis below:
In colonial-era Seoul in 1938, two young men knew each other as rivals, both in terms of country and in terms of personal competitiveness. Joon-sik (Jang Dong-gun) is a Korean man who dreams of following in the footsteps of Olympic marathon gold medal winner Sohn Kee-chung. Tatsuo (Joe Odagiri) is a top Japanese marathon runner who knew Joon-sik when his family worked for Tatsuo’s as servants.
One day, Joon-sik falls into trouble and is conscripted into the Japanese army. One year later, Joon-sik again serves Tatsuo, now a captain for the Japanese Imperial Army, during World War II. The men endure countless battles in Nomonhan, China, Germany and the Soviet Union, inspiring hope for survival in each other despite their ethnic and nationalist feelings.
MY WAY is the latest film from SHIRI director Kang Je-kyu, the father of the modern day Korean blockbuster movie. With a reported budget of $28 million, MY WAY is Korea’s most expensive film in history.
