(Los Angeles – September 3) The most important series of contemporary Korean films ever shown in this country will be screened as part of the fourth annual Silver Lake Film Festival, September 10-18, Festival Director Greg Ptacek announced today.

Sponsored by the Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles and the Republic Korea, the series celebrates that country’s cinema, hailed as the “next big thing” by the international film press. Indeed, given the universal plots, themes, and characterization that mark modern Korean film, many properties have already been optioned for remakes by top American producers, directors, and stars--not the least of whom are Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.

The jewel in the series’ crown will be the appearance of acclaimed director Kim Ki-Duk, often called “the Quentin Tarantino of Korea.” Mr. Kim will introduce his film “Address Unknown” at the Vista Theatre at 7 pm, Friday, September 12; this film follows his “The Isle,” which screens at the same theater at 4:30 pm. The screenings mark the Los Angeles premieres for both films.

Hailed as a cinematic auteur throughout Europe, Mr. Kim’s work has been more equivocally received by critics and audiences in his native land. This is due in large part to the director’s radical perspectives on Korean society (which marked his first film, “Crocodile,” in 1996), as well as his more recent thematic focuses on marginal people and places.

“Address Unknown,” examines one such erstwhile taboo, the continued reverbations of the Korean War on U.S. Army bases in Korea; the film generated extensive controversy upon its domestic release. “The Isle” is based on another theme that has run throughout his body of work: the exploration of what he views as the “universal war between man and woman.”

Although formally untrained as a director, Mr. Kim has an extensive art background. Based in Montepellier, France for several years, his work has been exhibited throughout Europe and continues to inform his cinematic views.

Following the screening of these films, Mr. Kim will be honored at a party beginning at 9:30 p.m. at the Forbidden City supper club, 1718 Vine St., which all ticket holders and members of the press are invited to attend.

Other films in the “Made In Korea” series include: “Over The Rainbow” by director Ahn Jin-Wu, a romantic drama involving amenesia and lost love discovered, screening Tuesday, Sept. 16, 9:30 pm; the dark fantasy “Save The Green Planet,” the directorial debut by Jang-jun-Hwanthat recently took top honors at the prestigious Puchon Film Festival in Korea, screening Monday, Sept. 15, 9:30 pm, and “The Butterfly,” by director Moon Seung-Wook, a visually arresting story set in a future-era about a woman returning to the country of her birth to forget her past, screening Monday, Sept. 15, 4:30 pm. All screenings at the Vista Theatre.

NOTE: Mr. Kim will be in Los Angeles from will be available for interviews on Friday, September 12. Please contact spacebaby@earthlink.net to arrange a meeting, or for more information on “Made in Korea” or the Silver Lake Film Festival.

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Silver Lake Film Festival (www.silverlakefilmfestival.org) is an international, multi-cultural event reflecting the diversity, creative abundance, and historic cinematic roots of the Silver Lake and abutting Eastside communities. The program includes features, documentaries, and videos, with an emphasis on films that reflect universal elements of the human condition--locally, nationally, and globally.

The 2003 Silver Lake Film Festival is presented by Recycler Classifieds, FredaLA.com, Five Star Theaters, Brock Real Estate, Rodnik Vodka, Perrier, Kendall Jackson, Cultural Affairs Department-City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Korean Cultural Center, American Apparel, Semiliquid.net, SpaceBaby.net, Ulay + Ulay, DesignCafeteria.com, Rudy’s, Landmark Theatres, Fotokem, Solvent Dreams, VideoCam, Cirxa restaurant, Tantra restaurant, Vermont restaurant, The Standard Hotel - Hollywood, The Holiday Inn Express – Silver Lake, The Aaroe Associates Charitable Foundation, The Echo, Adelphia, Wear It Now, Video Hut, On Stage and Fuji Film.