As you may have noticed due to recent posts I have a bit of a soft spot for film festivals. So I count myself very lucky whenever I have been given an opportunity by Scenestr magazine to interview film festival directors. After speaking with Palace CEO Benjamin Zeccola in the lead up to the cinema chain’s Lavazza Italian Film Festival run throughout Australia last year. I was then lucky enough to speak to the director of the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival earlier this year. Now I have gotten to interview the Festival Director of KOFFIA David Park.
Mr Park works for the Korean Culture Centre which is involved in sharing Korean culture with all Australian through a variety of methods including dance, language and cooking classes in addition to the film festival. As someone who born in South Korea but came over as a young boy he can see the benefits of such work in the larger community and I enjoyed talking to him about this as well as the joy of seeing cinema from around the world. You can read the interview here http://scenestr.com.au/movies/korean-film-festival-in-australia-showcasing-the-best-of-hallyuwood-20180726 and if you live in Australia check out when the KOFFIA might be in your neck of the woods.
Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises, Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Celebrating 25 years in 2018 of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane every month. This interview also featured in the NSW July issue on page 31 with a link to a digital copy of the print version here http://scenestr.com.au/read/NSW/2018/26-NSW/scenestr-NSW-26.html#p=31 and in my hometown QLD July edition on page 47 which can be seen digitally here http://scenestr.com.au/read/QLD/2018/1106-QLD/scenestr-QLD-1106.html#p=47 If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts including festivals, stand-up comics, fashion, theatre and film. I feel very fortunate to get to write for them.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
….and they might think that they are very fortunate to have you writing for them. Never do yourself down!!
I’m not John, as the kids would say I’m just checking my privilege? 🙂
Nice work as usual, Lloyd. One of my all time favourite thrillers is Korean, ‘Memories of Murder’. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0353969/ And the war epic ‘Brotherhood’ is fantastic too. Both get my 100% recommendation, if you haven’t seen them.
Best wishes, Pete.
I have seen neither and look forward to it as well Train from Busan. I did mention to David Park of the first Korean film (Samaritan Girl) I saw at BIFF which was cool. He immediately recognised it and I think it bolstered my credentials so to speak. 🙂
Train To Busan is a zombie film par excellence, Lloyd. I think you will enjoy it.
I can also recommend the monster film ‘The Host’ (2006) which is in the tradition of Godzilla, but very well done.
Best wishes, Pete.
Look forward to them. Best wishes Pete. 🙂