Poster for ‘Laapataa Ladies.’ Photo courtesy of Netflix.
The Korean Film Archive (KOFA) is hosting an Indian film festival, featuring a set of successful contemporary Indian movies. This initiative is an occasion for Korean audiences and movie buffs to broaden their cultural horizons and explore the richness and variety of Indian cinema.
The festival runs from November 26 to 30 at the Cinematech KOFA theater in Seoul’s Mapo District, South Korea. It’s a joint venture by KOFA, the Indian Embassy in Seoul, and the Indian Cultural Center, expanding on KOFA’s collaboration with them since 2016 to bring modern Indian films to Korea and encourage a thorough understanding and appreciation of Indian cinema.
KOFA, the only film archive in South Korea, came into being in 1974 and is a key component of the Korean film industry. It acts as a voice for its extensive history of filmmaking and primarily works to protect the legacy and promote accessibility to its content through preserving, documenting, and promoting Korean cinema.
The Indian film festival is one of KOFA’s many distinctive objectives, which also include compiling foreign films, providing cinema screenings, reference products and services, publishing research and study materials, and others.
Indian movie screenings at KOFA are a significant step forward in demonstrating the range, quality, and depth of our productions that are unfamiliar to a Korean audience. Six acclaimed films spanning genres and themes are being screened at the festival this year. The list includes:
Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) – S. S. Rajamouli
This massive action blockbuster follows an intrepid man’s adventures as he uncovers secrets about himself and his family while pursuing the woman he loves.
Dangal (2016) – Nitesh Tiwari
Despite all odds, a former wrestler chooses to prepare his daughters for the Commonwealth Games in this heartwarming inspirational sports movie based on real events.
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) – S. S. Rajamouli
Baahubali: The Beginning‘s prequel and sequel follow the protagonist’s mission after discovering who he really is, getting revenge for the killing of his father, and rescuing his mother.
Three of Us (2022) – Avinash Arun
An emotionally charged story of a woman who, after getting diagnosed with dementia, visits her native place with her husband and runs into her childhood sweetheart.
Kantara (2022) – Rishab Shetty
With a tribal hero at variance with a forest officer and his fight to restore peace in the land, the action thriller film revolves around the conflict between man and nature.
Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies – 2023) – Kiran Rao
Insights and lessons about women’s empowerment, chasing dreams and happiness, and forging close connections in the face of adversity abound in this feel-good comedy-drama film about two newlywed brides who get swapped on a train journey.
In a recent article published in The Korea Times, KOFA stated that the festival organizers hope to strengthen the “cultural exchange between Korea and India” and highlight how our shared love of movies can unite us and help us become more mindful and appreciative of each other.
