Im Kwon-Taek is a director with more than 100 films to his credit and a career that has spanned more than five decades. Undoubtedly one of the most important and influential figures in modern Korean cinema, Im has been one of the first to receive recognition outside his native land, most notably with “Chihwaseon,” which won him the 2002 best director award at Cannes. “The General’s Son” trilogy is the most popular and critically acclaimed of his films.

The films are based on the actual life of Korean independence activist and street fighter Kim Doohan (Park Sang-Min), beginning with his early years growing up as a beggar in the Jongro area — which many saw as being the symbolic heart of the country — during the Japanese occupation (1910 -1945). Doohan becomes involved with the resident street gangs, moving rapidly up the ranks due to his considerable fighting skills and fierce bravery. It transpires that he is actually the son of a famous Korean general who is currently embroiled in struggles against the invaders, and Doohan himself gradually takes on a similar role, uniting the gangs, residents and student idealists, and fighting back against the Japanese.

Source: www.beyondhollywood.com

 

Screenings at KCCLA

 

3 p.m., Sept. 6

“The General’s Son” (1990)

Cast: Park Sang-Min, Lee Il-Jae, Bang Eun-Hee, Kim Hyeong-Il

108 min., Not Rated

 

Note: The Sept. 13 film screening has been canceled due to a scheduled performance.

 

7 p.m., Sept. 30

“The General’s Son 2” (1991)

Cast: Park Sang-Min, Song Chae-Hwan, Lee Il-Jae

103 min., Not Rated

 

7 p.m., Sept. 27

“The General’s Son 3” (1992)

Cast: Park Sang-Min, Oh Yeon-Su, Shin Hyeon-Jun, Lee Il-Jae,

Kim Seung-Woo.

110 min., Not Rated

 

 KCCLA oversees a monthly screening series of Korean and Korean American films with a different theme or program for each week. Every Thursday evening, Korean films are screened at the Korean Cultural Center Auditorium on the third Floor. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Tammy Chung at (323) 936 -7141, ext. 122.

 

Note: Most films are in Korean with English subtitles.

 

 

Taste Of Korea 2007

Cooking contests and workshops coming in September

 

For the fifth time in three years, the Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles will host Taste of Korea, the most unique and popular Asian cooking contest on the west coast.  

This year, the semi-annual contest will be held in three locations: Sacramento, Arcadia, and Las Vegas. Contestants will be awarded more cash prizes and attendees can taste Korean food free of charge. Please join us for the uniquely delicious event.

 

Sacramento

When: 2-5 p.m., Sept. 22

Where: State capitol building west steps