Christmas in August The Power of Kangwon Province

Screening tonight: Hur Jin-Ho's stylish tearjerker Christmas in August and Hong Sang-Soo's intriguing, elliptical The Power of Kangwon Province.

Called by the Village Voice "one of the most mature and gracious tearjerkers ever made," Hur Jin-Ho's Christmas in August made its leads Han Suk-Kyu and Shim Eun-Ha two of Korea's coolest stars. The film charts the last months of a Seoul photographer after he finds he has just a few months to live. (1998; 97 mins.)

An intriguing narrative with two seemingly distinct stories, Hong Sang-Soo's The Power of Kangwon Province leaves viewers wondering whether the protagonists have been lovers. The first story follows a young woman taking a day trip to a resort with her girlfriends; the second follows a married man visiting the same resort with an old schoolmate. Together, the parallel narratives offer a moving portrait of people who are perhaps meant to be together, but remain trapped in small talk and routine. (1998; 110 mins.)