2022 New York Asian Film Festival Features ‘Alienoid’ And ‘Confession’

On July 15 the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will kick off the 2022 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) with a full return to big-screen viewing. Following a fully virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid 2021 edition, NYAFF will present this year’s 60+ new and classic titles fully in person from July 15 to 31.

NYAFF’s South Korean lineup, presented with the support of the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), will showcase a selection of Korean films, including the following:

Confession from Yoon Jong-seok is a tale of betrayal and intrigue with powerful performances by So Ji-sub (NYAFF 2009 Rising Star Asia honoree) and Kim Yun-jin.

Yeom Ji-ho’s taut comedic thriller Next Door features a would-be police cadet who unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a real-life crime-fighting test.

The documentary I Am More by Lee Il-ha (Counters, NYAFF 2018) follows the captivating journey of glamorous drag queen and transgender trailblazer More, who will attend the film’s North American debut.

The screwball comedy Perhaps Love, starring Ryu Seung-ryong, tells the story of a washed-up novelist who is reinvigorated by a collaboration with his gay student.

The NYAFF 2022 Centerpiece Film is Kim Han-min’s period action-war epic Hansan: Rising Dragon, the second in a trilogy focusing on the historic adventures of legendary Joseon Admiral Yi Sun-Shin. Based on the real-life Battle of Hansan Island naval engagement, it also stars Byun Yo-han and Ahn Sung-ki. Hansan: Rising Dragon is a follow-up to the 2014 film The Admiral: Roaring Currents, the most-watched and highest-grossing film in Korean cinema history, which will be released later this year by Well Go USA.

The NYAFF 2022 closing film, co-presented with Asia Society, will be the time-travel sci-fi epic Alienoid, from blockbuster Korean director Choi Dong-hoon. Choi will introduce the North American premiere of his latest production. The first part of a two-part film, Alienoid opens during the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), when Taoists attempt to seize a legendary divine sword that controls a portal to the future. The fantasy features Ryu Jun-yeol (NYAFF 2019 Screen International Rising Star Asia awardee), Kim Tae-ri (The Handmaiden), Kim Woo-bin and So Ji-sub (also at NYAFF 2022 with Confession) Alienoid will be released later this year by Well Go USA.

Three Korean stars will receive awards. NYAFF has announced a second honoree for its 2022 Screen International Rising Star Asia Award: actress Kim Hye-yoon (Snowdrop, Sky Castle), the rebellious protagonist of Park Ri-woong’s film The Girl on a Bulldozer.

NYAFF’s 2022 Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema will go to South Korean actor Jang Hyuk, for his dazzling stunt work, emotional depth and charisma in two films by director Choi Jae-hun, The Killer (2022) and The Swordsman (2020). Ryu Seung-ryong will also receive the inaugural Best from the East Award, a distinction to honor a singularly outstanding performance in a film (Perhaps Love).