The Korean Cultural Centre India is set to showcase the acclaimed Korean disaster thriller film, ‘Concrete Utopia,’ directed by Um Tae-hwa, at the prestigious Habitat International Film Festival.

Scheduled to be screened at the India Habitat Center on March 11 at 9:00 pm, the film has garnered recognition for its artistic merit, winning awards at prestigious events.

The 5th edition of the Habitat International Film Festival, spanning from March 8 to March 17, will present a diverse selection of 47 films from 29 countries. ‘Concrete Utopia’ stands out as a gripping disaster thriller that unfolds as survivors gather in a Seoul apartment after a devastating earthquake.

In 2023, the film received acclaim, winning the Best Film prize at the 32nd Buil Film Awards, top accolades at the 59th Grand Bell Awards, and the Best Director Award at the 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards in Korea.

Adapted from the Korean webtoon ‘Jolly Outcast,’ specifically the second part titled ‘The Cheerful Neighbor,’ the movie captures the essence of human behavior in the face of disaster.

Director Um Tae-hwa, in an official interview, highlighted a scene featuring a strangely large moon floating in the sky as the most impressive from the original webtoon. He found it intriguing to observe people becoming increasingly peculiar while dealing with a disaster. Kim Soong-neung, the original work’s author, cited the confrontation scene at the apartment entrance as the most memorable in the film.

Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre India, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Interest in Korean culture and Korean content is very high in India, and we often receive calls from various cultural and arts organizations in India citing their interest in this field.”

He further added, “We plan to continue promoting Korean cultural content on local culture and arts on content platforms and create opportunities for Korean content industries to enter the Indian market.”

‘Concrete Utopia’ promises to offer Indian audiences a captivating cinematic experience, exploring the intricacies of human behavior in the face of adversity. As the international film festival unfolds, the Korean contribution is expected to resonate with the diverse audience in attendance.