Thunderbird (Korean: 썬더버드; RR: Sseondeobeodeu) is a 2022 South Korean crime action film directed by Lee Jae-won, starring Seo Hyun-woo, Lee Myeong-ro, and Lee Seol. It had its world premiere at the 24th Far East Film Festival on April 27, 2022, and was released theatrically on September 21, 2022, in South Korea.[2]
| Thunderbird | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 썬더버드 |
| Revised Romanization | Sseondeobeodeu |
| Directed by | Lee Jae-won |
| Written by | Lee Jae-won |
| Produced by | Park Jong-chan |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Jeong Grim |
| Edited by | Lee Jae-won |
| Music by | Gisulbu |
Production company | Korean Film Academy |
| Distributed by | Triple Pictures Co., Ltd. |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Box office | est. ₩50 million (US$43,708.2)[1] |
Synopsis
editTae-min calls his elder brother Tae-gyun, a taxi driver asking for help. He wants him to get his car 'Thunderbird' back, which was pawned along with lot of money that he won from gambling. Now Tae-gyun urgently needs money, Tae-min, a gambling addict is deep in a debt, and Mi-young, Tae-min's girlfriend, a former casino dealer, all go out to get the car back. But nothing goes according to their plan. Towards the end of the night, Tae-gyun decides to ditch them and get the money all alone.[3]
Cast
edit- Seo Hyun-woo as Tae-gyun
- Lee Seol as Mi-young[4]
- Lee Myeong-ro as Tae-min[5]
- Park Seung-tae as Ok-sun
- Kim Gyu-baek as Jun-mo
- Choi Euna as In-suk
- Ahn Il-kwon as Ki-chul
Release
editIt had its world premiere at the 24th Far East Film Festival on April 27, 2022.[6] It was also selected at 26th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 'Korean Fantastic: Features', where it won two awards.[7]
It was released theatrically in South Korea on September 21, 2022.[8]
Reception
editPierce Conran reviewing the film for Udine Film Festival in ScreenAnarchy appreciated the performance of Seo Hyun-woo writing, "Seo delivers another strong, edgy and vulnerable performance as Tae-gyun." Conran also praised the deft handling of director Lee, stating, "Lee kept his finger on the pulse of the story, his careful consideration of lighting, and particular attention to the film's soundscape cranked up the tension at all the rights moments." Concluding Conran opined, "Thunderbird is another promising graduation project from KAFA and with any luck director Lee will be afforded a chance in the commercial arena soon."[9] Panos Kotzathanasis writing in HanCinema praised the performances of cast writing, "movie, benefiting the most by the excellent acting of Lee Myeong-ro as Tae-min, Lee Seol as Mi-young, Park Seung-tae as the catalytic pawn-shop owner, but most of all, Seo Hyun-woo as Tae-gyun". Concluding the review Kotzathanasis wrote, "Thunderbird is a very interesting film, particularly rewarding simply because it manages to stray away from the norms of the crime thriller and for Seo Hyun-woo's acting."[10]
Awards and nominations
edit| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival | 2022 | Korean Fantastic, Features; Fantastic Actor | Seo Hyun-woo | Won | [11][12] |
| Watcha New Talent Award | Lee Jae-won | Won |
References
edit- ^ "일별 박스오피스" [Daily box office]. Korean Film Council (in Korean). KOBIS. September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ "'BIFAN 2022' 2관왕 이설, 현실 느와르 '썬더버드'로 스크린 컴백" ['BIFAN 2022' 2 wins Lee Seol, comeback to screen with reality noir 'Thunderbird'] (in Korean). Financial News. August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Thunderbird (2022)". KOFIC. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ Kim Bo-ra (August 29, 2022). "'썬더버드' 스타일리시한 현실 누아르...9월 21일 개봉" ['Thunderbird' stylish reality noir... Opening September 21st]. Osen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Kang Hyo-jin (August 29, 2022). "서현우X이설 '썬더버드' 메인 포스터 공개...스타일리시 현실 누아르" [Seo Hyun-woo X Lee Seol's 'Thunderbird' main poster released... Stylish Reality Noir] (in Korean). spoTV News. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ "Thunderbird (썬더버드)". Far East Film Festival. April 27, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ Kim Hyun-rok (July 15, 2022). "서현우, BIFAN 코리안 판타스틱 배우상 "좋아서 하는 일로 상까지...행복" [Seo Hyun-woo, BIFAN Korean Fantastic Actor Award "I am happy with what I do]. Spotify News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ Kim Seon-woo (August 18, 2022). "서현우 주연 '썬더버드' 9월 21일 개봉 확정" ['Thunderbird' starring Seo Hyun-woo confirmed for release on September 21st]. JTBC (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ Pierce Conran (May 9, 2022). "Udine 2022 Review: THUNDERBIRD, Money Makes People Do Bad Things in Grim and Gripping Korean Indie". ScreenAnarchy. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ Panos Kotzathanasis (August 5, 2022). "[HanCinema's Review] "Thunderbird"". HanCinema. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ "BIFAN 2022 Winners". Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. June 15, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ Kang Hyo-jin (August 22, 2022). "서현우X이설' 썬더버드', BIFAN 2관왕→9월 개봉[공식]" [Seo Hyun-woo X Lee Seol' Thunderbird', BIFAN 2 wins → Release in September [Official]]. SpoTVNews (in Korean). Naver썬더버드. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
External links
edit- Thunderbird at HanCinema
- Thunderbird at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)
- Thunderbird at BIFAN
