Asia Society at the Movies: Innocent Witness
VIEW EVENT DETAILSScreening of 'Innocent Witness' and Conversation With Director Lee Han
Screening and Live Webcast
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Directed by acclaimed Korean director Lee Han, Innocent Witness (2019) tells the story of when Soon-ho, a lawyer trying to prove the innocence of a murder suspect, meets the only witness, Ji-woo, a girl who has autism. For a long time, Soon-ho worked only for his principles, but has since come to terms with reality and is now determined to succeed in the materialistic world by taking more lucrative cases. At the beginning of the film, he approaches Ji-woo to put her on the stand in the case on which his success depends. Soon-ho only meant to use Ji-woo for the trial, but in the process, finds solace in their relationship. At the same time, Ji-woo finds the courage to open up and communicate with the outside world.
Innocent Witness brings together two of Korea’s biggest film stars — legendary actor Jung Woo-sung as Soon-ho and the immensely talented actress Hyang-gi Kim as Ji-woo — to masterfully portray the characters in touching performances. The film, a heartwarming portrayal of an unlikely bond, moves viewers to examine our perceptions of one another in a world where we are so easily closed off from others.
Join us for a weekend-long screening of Lee Han’s Innocent Witness. On August 16 at 8 p.m. New York time, join us to explore themes in the film with a post-screening conversation with director Lee Han and Asia Society Korea Center Executive Director Yvonne Kim.
Innocent Witness
Genre: Drama
Duration: 129 minutes
Director: Lee Han
Language: Korean
Subtitles: English
Producers: Jae-joong Kim, Woo-jae Kim, Jun-woo Lee
Main Cast: Jung Woo-sung, Hyang-gi Kim, Song Yun-ah, Jang Young-nam, Yeom Hye-ran
How to Watch
Register for free via Eventive to stream this film and join the conversation. Viewing instructions for the film and accompanying post-screening conversation will be emailed to all registrants. This film screening via Eventive is only available in the following authorized regions: United States of America, Australia, Philippines, India, Korea, and Switzerland. The film is not available to stream in Japan, Hong Kong, or other countries not listed as an authorized region. The conversation will be available to stream globally. For any further questions, reach out to [email protected].
Speakers:
Lee Han made his directorial debut in 2002 with the movie Lover’s Concerto starring Cha Tae-hyun, Son Ye-jin and Lee Eun-joo. He followed up with the young love story Almost Love (2006) and gained widespread recognition as a major director with My Love (2007), a film that shares the stories of different couples. He captivated 5.3 million moviegoers with Punch (2011), a film that explores the treatment of minorities in society. Lee Han’s Thread of Lies (2014), focuses on the lives of those left behind after a young girl’s suicide, and A Melody to Remember (2016), is based on true story of a children’s choir formed during the Korean War. Innocent Witness (2019) is his seventh project, dealing with the true meaning of trust and communication through the story of a lawyer and his developing friendship with a girl with autism.
Yvonne Kim is currently the executive director of Asia Society Korea Center, having been with the inaugural Seoul-based branch of the Global Asia Society since its startup stages in 2008. Ms. Kim has brought Asia Society and the presence of international businesses and embassies to the forefront of the Korean media through her extensive public relations network. By increasing overseas and local branding of Asia Society, she developed programming and financial planning for the prestigious and selective Asia 21 Young Leaders Program in Korea and Asia Society global fundraising. Ms. Kim is often sought after for her senior-level contacts in Korea’s public and private sectors, as well as in the international business community, to further global programming support, strategic planning, and public relations for global outreach.
Roc Hyunjung Lee (translator) is an interpreter and translator in the entertainment and art industry and has translated at international film festivals, conferences, and lectures as well as translated movie scripts and subtitles in both English and Korean. She has interpreted for numerous acclaimed directors including James Cameron, Jennifer Lee, Oliver Stone, Robert Zemeckis, Sam Raimi, Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook, Ryu Seung-wan, Kim Ji-woon and Hur Jin-ho and actors such as Tilda Swinton, Chris Evans, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Alba, Josh Hartnett, Lee Byung-hun, Jung Woo-sung, Jeon Do-yun, Song Gang-ho, Jang Dong-gun and Son Yae-jin. She has done simultaneous and consecutive translations for various movies including Frozen 2, Alita: Battle Angel, The Age of Shadows, Snowpiercer, Okja, and companies such as DreamWorks and Weta Workshop.
This program is presented by Asia Society Museum, Asia Society Korea Center, and Asia Society Southern California as part of a new series titled Asia Society at the Movies. Asia Society at the Movies showcases a broad range of films and filmmakers from across Asia and the Asian diaspora.
This program is organized in partnership with Asia Society Korea Center. The screening is made possible by Lotte.
Asia Society at the Movies
Asia Society is proud to announce the launch of Asia Society at the Movies, a new series of film screenings and conversations showcasing a broad range of films and filmmakers from across Asia and the Asian diaspora. Asia Society at the Movies celebrates established and emerging voices, contemporary films and classics, and documentaries. The series builds on Asia Society’s long and rich history of film programming. This initiative also serves to deepen understanding of Asian cultures—a core part of Asia Society’s mission since its creation. Learn more about the Asia Society at the Movies initiative.
About Asia Society Museum
Asia Society Museum presents a wide range of traditional, modern, and contemporary exhibitions of Asian and Asian American art, taking new approaches to familiar masterpieces and introducing under-recognized arts and artists. The Asia Society Museum Collection comprises a traditional art collection, including the initial bequests of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd, and a contemporary art collection. Through exhibitions and public programs, Asia Society provides a forum for the issues and viewpoints reflected in both traditional and contemporary Asian art and in Asia today.
About Asia Society Korea
Since its establishment in April 2007, Asia Society Korea Center has been serving as an active gateway for engagement on issues affecting Korea, the Asia-Pacific region, and the United States. Through its programs addressing policy, business, and education, as well as arts and culture, the Korea Center has been seeking to integrate Korean voices into the broad range of Asia Society programs across the region.
About Asia Society Southern California
Established in Los Angeles in 1985, Asia Society Southern California (ASSC) is ideally situated at the gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. ASSC has played a pivotal role through creative programs and activities in increasing shared knowledge, enhancing dialogue, and furthering cultural exchanges transcending regional boundaries. As part of the global Asia Society, which was founded more than 60 years ago in New York City, ASSC has launched many creative initiatives and programs addressing current issues of importance across the fields of the arts, culture, policy, business, and education.
About Lotte Entertainment
Lotte Entertainment is a South Korean film production and distribution company. Established in the Republic of Korea, the company has distributed films throughout South Korea since its founding in September 2003. Lotte Entertainment distributes over 25 Korean / foreign titles a year through its multiplex circuit Lotte Cinema branch, which presents more than 800 screens nationwide in Korea.