Fundraising Gala Screening of 'Crossing'
Presented by KOFIC
Friday, November 14, 2008
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Wilshire Grand Hotel
Golden State Ballroom
930 Wilshire Blvd.
NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS-PEOPLE WHO CROSS THE RIVER
By January 2007, over 10,000 North Korean refugees have fled to South Korea. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates the number to be 300,000 and the number of people who died of starvation the decade to be over 2 million. North Korean refugees are not acknowledged as 'refugees' by the United Nations. As such, their human rights are not protected anywhere. The Mongolian route that most of these refugees take is not known as the 'Death Route.'
Nonetheless, many are still crossing the river for survival.
SYNOPSIS
YONG-SU lives in a small coal-mine village in North Korea with this wife and young son. Although living in extreme poverty, the family is happy just to be with each other. Then one day, YONG-SU's pregnant wife becomes critically ill. Let alone medicine, YONG-Su can't even find food for her in North Korea. So he secretly crosses the borders of China hoping to find the medicine for his wife. After many life threatening moments in China, YONG-SU is forced into South Korea, becoming an unwanted refugee prohibited to return to his family. Meanwhile, his wife passes away leaving their young son alone in desperation. With no one to turn to, his young son sets out to find his father not knowing where or how to find him.
CHARACTER & CAST
CHA In-pyo as Yong-su
An ex-national soccer player of North Korea, Yong-su crosses the border to China in search for food and medicine, not realizing he won't be able to come to his family.
Selected Filmography
- HANBANDO
- MOKPO, GANGSTER'S PARADISE
- SEASON IN THE SUN
SHIN Myeong-cheol as JUN
JUN is young boy, but he is strong and brave. When his father doesn't return from China and his mother passes away, he sets out to find his father all by himself.
Selected Filmography
THE BRIDGE AT NOGUNRI
DIRECTOR KIM TAE-KYUN
Born in 1960, KIM Tae-kyun debuted with ADVENTURES OF MRS.PARK, recognized by film critiques for his attempt at new film language. In 2001, KIM wrote and directed VOLCANO HIGH which was hailed at many international festivals including Toronto Int'l Film Festival and Fantasporto-Oporto Int'l Film Festival.
Director's Statement:
From the beginning, this was a film I wanted to avoid. It had a hard subject matter to deal with, and because I felt a certain pressure. I was busy putting it off and running away from it. But I knew I couldn't avoid it forever. I hope the audience can feel regretful after watching this film. And I wish this film will serve a role to initiate concern for the neglected among indifferent people. I also hope it can be the starting point of a controversy.
Selected Filmography
- A MILLIONAIRE'S FIRST LOVE
- ROMANCE OF THEIR OWN
- 17th Tokyo Int'l Film Festival (Winds of Asia) - 2001 VOCANO HIGH
- 27th Toronto Int'l Film Festival (Midnight Madness)
- 23rd Fantasporto-Oporto Int'l Film Festival
Cost: Donation beigins at $200
Special Instructions
R.S.V.P. to kofic.usa2@gmail.com before 11/12. Inpyo Cha will be present. Dinner will be provided. Dress code: Business attire
Sponsor(s): KOFIC
