Launching into New Horizons with “Hana Korea”
On September 3rd, curtains were raised in Seoul for the exceptional Denmark-Korea joint venture, “Hana Korea”. This thrilling endeavor is the cinematic adaptation of the true-life escapades of a North Korean defector.
The Masterminds Behind “Hana Korea”
The remarkable minds behind this compelling narrative are Denmark’s celebrated documentary maker, Frederik Sølberg, and lauded filmmaker Sharon Choi, who served as Bong Joon-ho’s interpreter during his extraordinary Cannes to Oscar journey with the movie “Parasite” in 2019. Choi also plays a pivotal role as Sølberg’s on-set linguist.
The Tale Unfolds
Brought to life under the watchful eyes of these brilliant creatives, “Hana Korea” narrates the experiences of Hyesun, a North Korean runaway. She’s placed in ‘Hanawon’, the ‘house of unity’, a reorientation hub for a trimester. The institution’s goal is to prepare such individuals to thrive outside the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The curriculum includes lessons about democratic governance, liberty of the individual, egalitarianism, and even mundane tasks such as operating a credit card.
Stellar Cast of “Hana Korea”
The star-cast of “Hana Korea” boasts globally recognized talents such as Minha Kim, celebrated for her role as Sunja in the Apple TV+ series “Pachinko”, Kim Joo-ryoung from Netflix’s international sensation “Squid Game”, and Ahn Seo-hyun, acknowledged for her character Mija in Bong Joon Ho’s “Okja”.
The Crew and Support Behind the Scenes
The production of “Hana Korea” is helmed by Denmark’s Sonntag Pictures and Korea’s Seesaw Pictures. Notable producers include Sara Stockmann from Danish sensitizer “Armadillo” and Heejung Oh, known for her exceptional work in “Pearl of the Desert”. Providing production services in Seoul is the respected Korean production giant, Nine Tailed Fox. Handling the vital role of international sales is ReInvent.
The blossoming of Sølberg’s vision for “Hana Korea” has been well-received, with astounding performances from the cast and a heartening collaboration between the Korean and Danish crew, according to Heejung Oh. This Denmark-Korea collaboration has been enabled by financial support from various bodies including the Danish Film Institute, DR, Eurimages, DMZ Industry, KCA, and the Seoul Film Commission.
In Conclusion
“Hana Korea” emerges as a beacon of hope and resilience, shining light on the adversities North Korean defect people face. With a star-studded cast, an exceptional crew, and a storyline as gripping as this, “Hana Korea” promises to offer a unique cinematic experience imbued with real-life challenges and triumphs.
FAQs
1. What is “Hana Korea” about?
“Hana Korea” is the high-octane story of Hyesun, a North Korean defector, who gets an education about life outside of North Korea at the Hanawon (“house of unity”) institution for three months.
2. Who are the filmmakers of “Hana Korea”?
“Hana Korea” is co-written and directed by Danish documentary filmmaker Frederik Sølberg and co-written by Sharon Choi, who is also Bong Joon-ho’s interpreter.
3. Who stars in “Hana Korea”?
The film boasts a true portfolio of international talents including Minha Kim, Kim Joo-ryoung, and Ahn Seo-hyun.
4. Who are the main producers of “Hana Korea”?
The film is being produced by Denmark’s Sonntag Pictures and Korea’s Seesaw Pictures, with Sara Stockmann and Heejung Oh serving as producers, and global sales managed by ReInvent.
5. Who finances this Denmark – Korea co-production?
The Danish Film Institute, DR, Eurimages, DMZ Industry, KCA and the Seoul Film Commission provide financial support for the production of this film.
Credit: variety.com
