Film on 1597 Victory Against Japan Storms to Top of South Korean Box-Office

The South Korean box office has been set on fire by a film depicting a famous 16th century naval victory against Japanese invaders. The film has been drawing the largest audience and has become the first local movie to take more than $100 million.

"Myeongryang" ("Roaring Currents") attracted 13.62 million viewers as of Saturday after 18 days of screening, distributor CJ Entertainment.

French Film Composer Alexandre Desplat to Head Up Venice Film Fest Jury
French film composer Alexandre Desplat - whose dozens of works include the scores for The King's Speech and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - will head up this year's Venice festival jury, reveal organisers.

The previous frontrunner, Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar", drew 13.61 million Korean cinema goers over a span of four months.

As of Friday, the movie had earned 102.4 billion won ($100.2 million) in ticket sales, becoming the first homemade film to top 100 billion won (or $100 million) in revenue.

Starring Choi Min-Sik as Chosun Dynasty Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, the film depicts Yi's decisive 1597 naval victory against Japan in the Battle of Myeongryang.

China Enlists Film Prostitute To Arouse a Cinematic Renaissance
To arouse a cinematic renaissance and fend off a cultural onslaught from Hollywood, China is turning to a 1930s prostitute with a heart of gold - played by a doomed actress.

Yi, who had 12 ships under his command, defeated more than 130 Japanese warships.

Choi also starred in a 2003 hit thriller "Old Boy".

LGBT Community Organizes Film Festival in Guwahati
The LGBT community in Guwahati, Assam, is organizing a three-day film festival in the city to raise awareness about the community in the north east.

Relations between South Korea and Japan are currently at their lowest ebb for years over disputes related to Tokyo's 1910-45 rule over the Korean peninsula.

Source-AFP