escape from mogadishu

NYAFF XX Review: Ryoo Seung-Wan’s ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU, On Surviving A Political Warzone

I can’t speak for North Korea, but it’s always compelling cinema to watch from Southern directors, with stories featuring parties from both sides of the DMZ. Seeing and observing the mannerisms and dispositions of both parties as they’re forced together in situations that imperil them and implore finding a common ground should be a welcome challenge for almost any filmmaker to tackle. More to the point, director Ryoo Seung-wan facing this challenge head-on is a feat I’m keen on witnessing, as big in scope and scale as many of his productions have grown, from the heydays of Die Bad, Crying Fist and Arahan, to international thriller The Berlin File and explosive period epic, The Battleship Island. Ryoo’s escalation continues this month with Escape From Mogadishu, spotlighting a colossal moment in Somalian history as the African nation became ground zero for the two Koreas, with the South vying for membership in […]

NYAFF XX Debuts 2021 Poster, Announces Kickoff With Well Go USA’s ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU And Much More For Its Second Wave Announcement!

Lee B. Golden III

The twentieth installation of the New York Asian Film Festival is coming in as hot as the Summer sun. The festival just announced its second wave of titles in addition to the celebration and ceremony of NYAFF honoree, filmmaker and producer Ann Hui, and among other things, has also announced a brand new section for the festival titled Asian American Focus. The biggest update here though is the festival’s opening premiere of South Korean filmmaker Ryoo Seung-wan’s new political thriller, Escape From Mogadishu, which also kicks off its North American theatrical release the same day on August 6 from Well Go USA. Over 60 films will be screened for the festival through August 22, with screenings to be held both virtually AND in-person with tickets and passes currently on sale for hopeful attendees at Film At Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theater, and the SVA Theatre all in Manhattan, NYC. Fore […]

Ryoo Seung-Wan’s ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU Makes A Run For Well Go USA’s North American Release In August!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a long while since I’ve seen me a Ryoo Seung-wan flick. Well Go USA all but looks to change that now with their newly-announced acquisition of Ryoo’s new political thriller, Escape From Mogadishu. Based on a true story: as civil war rages in Mogadishu, rival North and South Korean diplomats are left trapped. With no aid from either government, their only shot at survival may require uniting with bitter adversaries to escape. Deadline‘s Jill Goldsmith is reporting the film’s July 28 open in South Korea will precede its theatrical releases throughout North America on August 6. Escape From Mogadishu stars Kim Yoon-seok (The Chaser, The Yellow Sea), Huh Joon-ho (Kingdom, Illang: The Wolf Brigade), Zo In-sung (The Classic, The Great Battle), Koo Kyo-hwan (Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula, Netflix’s Kingdom: Ashin of the North), Jeong Man-sik (The Swordsman, Rampant) and Kim So-jin (The Spy Gone North, The King). “The film […]

ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU Sets Ablaze In The Official Trailer For Ryoo Seung-wan’s Latest

Lee B. Golden III

Staking their claim at the moment with presentations to buyers at Cannes, sales agent Lotte debuted the official international previews for director Ryoo Seung-wan’s latest political thriller, Escape From Mogadishu, which takes its cues from a real life incident in 1991. Diplomats from the North and South Korean embassies in Somalia attempt a daring joint escape from Mogadishu when the outbreak of civil war leaves them stranded. Escape From Mogadishu stars Kim Yoon-seok, Jo In-sung, Heo Joon-ho and Kim So-jin, and is set to release in South Korea from Lotte Cultureworks on July 28. Check out the international sales art below!