Korean Screen

Academic at Harvard University turned superb filmmaker, it is fair to say Gina Kim has the smarts and talents usually reserved for whole civilisations. Her first feature is cut in two parts, both on a young women plagued by loneliness. One part is set in California where Korean student Gah-in is involved in an affair with the married Jun, the second part is set in Korea centered on Jun's estranged Korean-American wife.

250. Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013) Jang Joon-hwan The first of three Jang Joon-hwan films on the list, Hwayi: A Monster Boy arrived a full decade after his cult sci-fi classic Save the Green Planet! After being kidnapped as a small child, Hwa-yi (Yeo Jin-goo) is raised by his five abductors. When he becomes a teenage he joins their life of crime and trains to be an assassin. 249.

Director:  Lee Joon-ik Genre:  Drama Run time: 2h 3m Harrowing and immeasurably powerful, an horrific attack brings a disjointed family together ​ If the best films make you feel something, then Hope is one of the very best. Even if those feelings are deeply difficult to experience. ​ Hope is a film that might ruin your day because it is so good.