Hyun Bin plays an assassin in ‘Harbin.’
The Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from Sept. 5 to 15, will host a selection of Korean films and documentaries this year. The films are K-POPS, Ryoo Seung-wan’s I, The Executioner, Love in the Big City, Harbin, Paying For It, Hong Sang-soo’s By The Stream and the documentary The Last of the Sea Women.
By The Stream, the latest film from the prolific filmmaker Hong Sang-soo reunites actors Kim Min-hee (The Handmaiden) and Kwon Hae-hyo (Bitter Sweet Hell) in a bittersweet tale of loneliness, connection, and creativity that transpires during an annual skit festival at a women’s university. It airs on Sept 5, 11, 12 and 14.
Harbin is a historical spy-thriller, directed by Woo Min-ho, that stars Hyun Bin (Crash Landing On You) as a independence activist and political assassin. Hyun plays Ahn Jung-geun, the Korean independence activist who in 1909 assassinated Itō Hirobumi, the first prime minister of Japan. It airs on Sept. 8, 9 and 11.
I, The Executioner explores the dark side of justice and the dangers of populism. Detective Seo Do-cheol, played by Hwang Jung-min (12.12: The Day), returns in a gripping, high-octane sequel to Ryoo Seung-wan’s 2015 blockbuster Veteran. The film has been described as a fresh take on the crime action genre. It airs on Sept 5, 6, 7 and 14.
In K-POPS a father hopes to ride the coattails of his long-lost son’s rocketing stardom. This feature is a film debut from eight-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak. It airs on Sept. 7, 8 and 12.
Steve Sang-hyun Noh and Kim Go-eun are roommates in ‘Love In The Big City.’
Love In The Big City stars Kim Go-eun (Little Women) and Steve Sang-hyun Noh (Pachinko) as roommates. No one believes their characters Jae-hee and Heung-soo are just friends, but they’re used to being misunderstood. This romance explores how young adults live and love in Seoul. It screens Sept. 5, 13, 14 and 15.
Paying For It by Sook Yin Lee, is cultural snapshot of turn-of-the-millennium Toronto with subtle comic energy and a great cast, Lee’s adaptation of Chester Brown’s autobiographical 2011 graphic novel is a movie only Lee could make, because it’s her story, too. It screens Sept. 5, 6, 7 and 12.
The Last of the Sea Women is a spirited portrait of an endangered tradition and a galvanizing plea for better stewardship of the oceans, Sue Kim’s documentary dives deep into the culture of the haenyeo, the South Korean deep sea divers who have been harvesting seafood for their communities for centuries. It can be seen on Sept. 8, 9 and 14.
TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film. The organization is dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds. TIFF offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, events, professional development and opportunities to meet, hear and learn from filmmakers from Canada and around the world.
The festival’s schedule is available online.
