Tickets are on sale for the 21st HIFF Spring Showcase presented by Halekulani, which runs April 6-15 at Dole Cannery Stadium 18. There are 33 films from 11 countries, including four titles from South Korea:
>> “1987: When the Day Comes” is based on the true story of how a student’s death by torture became a catalyst for the overthrow of military dictatorship in South Korea. Kim Yoon-seok stars as a rabid anti-Communist official and Ha Jung-woo is the prosecutor who refused to help the coverup. (April 7 and 10)
>> “The Fortress” dramatizes the 17th-century Qing invasion, which forces the Korean court to take shelter in the Namhan Fortress in treacherous mountains outside the capital city. As the cold and hunger set in, the king must choose between humiliating himself to protect his subjects and fighting to the death for a greater cause. (April 8 and 12)
>> “The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow” is a quirky 2014 animated film from director Hyung-yun Chang that “explores the importance of connection as we face life’s variety of challenges.” The surreal plot involves “a rejected musician who suddenly becomes a cow. His plaintive song lures a nonworking satellite down to earth and an enchanted roll of toilet paper accidentally turns the satellite into a rocket girl, and together the three friends try to set things right.” (April 8 and 14)
>> “Little Forest,” a remake of the beloved Japanese manga, is “a love letter to slow cooking and Korean cuisine.” The movie takes audiences through four seasons of food and harvest with the young Hye-won (Kim Tae-ri, “The Handmaiden”), who escaped city life to move to the countryside to live off the land. (April 14 and 15)
Visit hiff.org for movie times and tickets.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Rebel”
Episodes 29-30 (finale)
>> Sunday, 6:30 p.m.: Lost in battle, Junghak is cast aside as a slave. Noksu, realizing imminent death, prepares the last feast for the King. Gildong falls asleep with an unconscious Garyung in his arms.
>> Sunday, 7:45 p.m.: The King and Noksu face the fury of the people. Junghak threatens his master. Gildong and Garyung hear shocking news. A new kingdom dawns upon the people of Joseon.
“Should We Kiss First?”
Episodes 9-10
>> Monday 7:45 p.m.: Sharing a bed is still very awkward and embarrassing for Moo-han and Soon-jin. But their guard comes down and their feelings for each other blossom. Soon-jin’s ex-husband feels jealousy and guilt.
Episodes 11-12
>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Soon-jin succeeds in winning over Moo-han as the two open up to each other emotionally. But as always, unfortunate events loom when Soon-jin’s happiness is within reach.
“Return”
Episodes 21-22
>> Wednesday 7:45 p.m.: Dok-go suspects a possible murder upon finding the hairpin. Hak-bum and Tae-suk probe Ja-hye’s background and find evidence of her mysterious past. Dok-go questions Ja-hye’s motive for taking on Jung-soo as her client. She’s calm when up against the furious Dok-go.
Episodes 23-24
>> Thursday 7:45 p.m.: A crime the four princes committed in the past is back to haunt them. Na-ra learns the ugly truth about her husband. Ja-hye smiles, as only winners can, when Tae-suk tells her he’ll make up for their past wrongdoings. Ja-hye is engulfed in sadness at thinking about her daughter.
“Money Flower”
Episodes 9
>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Childless Boo Cheon and Mo Hyun return after living five years in America. Pil Joo glimpses Seo Won with a child at the airport and runs after them. Pil Joo and Chairman Jang work on evidence against Mo Hyun’s father while Seong Man works to make sure his campaign fails.
Episode 10
>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Mal Ran runs into Seo Won with Boo Cheon’s child at the hospital and senses Seo Won’s relationship with Boo Cheon, warning Seo Won of how the Jang family handles illegitimate children. Assistant Oh’s pursuit of Jang Eun Cheon continues. With everyone’s blessing, Mo Hyun gets pregnant. Trouble abounds with the slush fund delivery.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
