Actress Han Ga In is helping teenage students come a little closer to their dreams of making films.
Han, the award-winning star of "The Moon Embracing The Sun," and Kim Ji Hoon, director of the film, "The Tower," will serve as special mentors at a one-week film program in Vietnam. The program, sponsored by CJ CGV, the largest theater chain in Korea, began three years ago in Seoul. The film program then expanded to Beijing and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. Students of several nations take part and are chosen through a contest. This year the number of participants increased from 42 to 66.
According to CJ CGV, the program is designed to "help local teenagers cultivate their dreams of being in film."
During the 2013 Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Toto's Filmmaking Program, teenagers in the program will learn about the basics of filmmaking at the Saigon International Film School. They will learn to write scenes, make up storyboards, shoot and edit film. The teenagers then get to produce five-minute films, the best of which will be screened at the Ho Chi Minh Megastar Paragon Theater on July 11. Han Ga In and Kim Ji Hoon will judge eight of the films and present awards.
The filmmaking program is about more than filmmaking. The program also offers a chance for children of different cultures to learn more about each other.
"I hope this will be a chance for those children to dream about films, exchange cultures and harmonize together through their films," said Han.
It is the second time that Kim Ji Hoon has participated in the event. He also appeared at the 2012 China Beijing Toto's Showroom.
"Last year when I took part in the 2012 China Beijing Toto's Showroom, I was touched by the great passion the children showed toward film," said Kim Ji Hoon. "I came to participate again in this year's 2013 Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Toto's Showroom to help these children realize their dreams."
Han Ga In was also happy to help.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the children come together from around the world to produce their own films," she said.
Han Ga In has had some experience in films. Besides appearing in nine dramas, she played two film roles. She was Eun Joo in "Spirit of Jeet Kune Do" and played Yang Seo Yeon in the popular film, "Architecture 101." Han Ga In said that her experience in "Architecture 101" was so rewarding that it made her want to try more film roles. Perhaps one day she will have a chance to star in a film made by one of these students.
