The Techshiebertechcrunch Archive is a treasure trove of films, ranging from the 19th century to the present day. Founded by the Korea Academy of Art, the archive holds many of the country’s oldest and most revered films. With access to the archive, it is possible to watch restored films, as well as to find lesser-known movies.
Restored films on blu-ray
The Korean Film Archive has been making waves with its recent releases. They’re not just releasing films, however. They’ve been restoring some of the more obscure and impressive movies of the 1950s. A handful of those films are now on Blu-ray. And the quality is up to par.
Amongst their offerings, there are two that stand out. First, there’s the ENTRE NOIS, a film by Diane Kurys that tells a story about a Jewish woman who escapes a Nazi internment camp through the Alps.
Modern-day blockbuster
Secondly, there’s the Invaders from Mars, one of the two early 50s sci-fi classics that paved the way for the modern-day blockbuster. This gimmick-laden film was made from a child’s point of view, so it’s all the more impressive when you take into account its impact.
But the most impressive is actually the 78-minute MONSEIUR HIRE. It’s a short film, but it demonstrates the most important aspects of the art of storytelling. Despite the shoddy NTSC transfers, the picture is a lot clearer when it’s on the screen. Also, the audio is rendered with 5.1 Dolby Digital versus the monophonic soundtrack you might find on your average home video disc.
Restored films on YouTube
The Korean Film Archive is an online resource for a wealth of South Korean cinema. Their YouTube channel is a treasure trove of the country’s most lauded films, from the golden age of South Korean cinema in the 1950s and 1960s to contemporary works by Hong Sang-soo and Park Chan-wook. Aside from the many films to watch, the channel also provides useful information about the history of cinema in the region.
In addition to uploading a number of aforementioned videos to YouTube, the channel has made a splash in the realm of digital preservation. As of the writing of this article, the Korean Film Archive has restored over 100 feature films from the 1930s to the 1990s. These include the “Aimless Bullet” by Hyun-mok Yoo, the Korean cinematic wonder that is the “Aloha” by Kogonada, and the animated masterpiece that is “Out of the Inkwell”.
For instance, the “Aloha” is available for streaming on the company’s website and in a DVD edition. Another movie to note is the “Gold Diggers,” a spooky black and white tale of a poor man in a rich man’s world.
Less known films on YouTube
If you want to learn more about the world of Korean cinema, you should check out these less-known films on YouTube. There are hundreds of them, with English subtitles for all. You can find them on the Korean Film Archive channel. And you can watch them free.
“Midnight” is an energetic stalker drama. It’s set in an urban area that is saturated with neon. The victim is deaf and must use different skills to avoid being pursued by a able-bodied man. This film is a clever twist on a classic formula.
“The Insect Woman” is a psychological thriller that explores the sexual dysfunction of a professor’s mistress. Using an Antonioni-esque set-up, Kim Ki-young gives a penetrating look at male insecurity. Featuring a cast of talented actors, including Bong Joon ho, it’s a must-see for any movie buff.
Finally
“The People of Ko-Bang Neighborhood” is a sprawling film that’s based on a novel by Lee Dong-Cheol. Originally released in 1960, the film was banned by the government censors because the film portrayed poor people. However, the movie was restored and subsequently uploaded to the Korean Film Archive.
