"Mother" to open in select U.S. theaters today

Korean film "Mother" will open in five U.S. cities today including Los Angeles and New York and expand its showing next week throughout the country.

The thriller film, directed by noted Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, will start with a limited theatrical release and gradually increase its number of screens; the film will open in 15 cities including Berkeley and Dallas on March 19, and in 18 cities including Honolulu and New Haven the following weekend.

The Korean pic will be distributed by Magnolia Pictures, which specializes in showing foreign and independent film to the American audience.

"Mother", starring veteran Korean actress Kim Hye-ja and Hallyu star Won Bin, is about a mother who becomes obsessed over protecting her mentally disturbed son.

The film won rave reviews after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival last spring and was presented at numerous film events around the world throughout the year.

It was first shown in the U.S. last month at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and was submitted to the 82nd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film although it did not make the nominations.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr