FILMFEST DC: KOREAN EMBASSY INTRODUCES TWO SOUTH KOREAN FILMS AT THE WASHINGTON, DC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

WAR OF THE ARROWS AND ROMANCE JOE

FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL COMEDIES AND CARIBBEAN JOURNEYS

FROM APRIL 12 – 22, 2012

WASHINGTON—In its 26th year, Filmfest DC: The Washington, DC International Film Festival is presenting more than 80 films from about 41 countries at top venues in Washington, DC. A full list of films, locations and screening times is now available on the Filmfest DC website, filmfestdc.org.

This year, the District’s oldest and largest film festival focuses on “The Lighter Side” with a slate of new international comedies from countries such as France, Argentina, Italy and Japan. Also featured will be Caribbean Journeys, a groundbreaking program of new work from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

This year, Korean Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea will be sponsoring the viewing of two South Korean films selected to be shown at the festival. Nominated for a First Feature award, Romance Joe is an introspective story about a filmmaker suffering from writer’s block who is dumped into a lackluster rural town to catch some inspiration. This film has won numerous awards, including the audience award at the Busan Film Festival.

A blockbuster epic, War of the Arrows is an action-drama set during the Manchurian Invasion of Korea in 1636. When the invading army kidnaps childhood sweethearts Ja-in and Seo-Goon on their wedding day, Jai-in's brother Nam-yi sets out on a deadly journey to bring them back. The film is the 11th highest grossing picture in Korean box-office history.

Prior to each film, the Korean Embassy will commence with an introduction of the picture, followed by a Q&A about Korea where prizes will be given out.

This is all in continued support of South Korea’s thriving film industry, which has managed to attain domestic box office success exceeding that of Hollywood blockbuster movies in the country. New films have continued to outperform older releases, and some Korean productions are grossing more than big Hollywood films, such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter in South Korea.

Korea is currently in what is considered a golden age for its films, with its movies gaining popularity in not only their own market but in the rest of the Asia as well.

WHEN

- April 12 – 22, 2012

WHERE

- Goethe-Institut Washington: 812 Seventh Street, NW

- Landmark's E Street Cinema: 555 11th Street, NW

TICKETS

- Tickets will be available beginning March 26th on the tickets page of the Filmfest DC website, by calling 1-800-996-4774 or on-site at Goethe Institut Washington. General Admission tickets are $11 unless otherwise noted. Free events are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Discount passes are available online.

The Filmfest DC public information line is 202-628-FILM and its website is

filmfestdc.org.