‘Mad Max’ director George Miller’s first visit to Korea… “Koreans have a lot of knowledge about movies”

by times news cr

2024-04-15 17:20:24

Director George Miller, who directed the ‘Mad Max’ series, is taking a commemorative photo prior to a press conference held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Provided by Warner Brothers Korea
‘Mad Max’ director George Miller’s first visit to Korea…  “Koreans have a lot of knowledge about movies”

‘Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga’ poster. Provided by Warner Brothers Korea

It still makes you sweat, and is as overwhelming as expected. The action movie ‘Mad Max’ series returns after 9 years with the new film ‘Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga’. It is a prequel (sequel that tells the story of a time before the previous work) that covers the 18 years from the childhood of the protagonist Furiosa to just before the previous work ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015), and the 77th will open next month. It was invited to the non-competitive section of the Cannes Film Festival. It is scheduled to be released in Korea in May.

Director George Miller (79), who directed the entire series, boasted about the new work at a press conference held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 15th, saying, “It is a work that will show the essence of pure cinema.” This is Director Miller’s first time visiting Korea.

Furiosa in 'Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga'.  Provided by Warner Brothers Korea

Furiosa in ‘Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga’. Provided by Warner Brothers Korea

Prior to the press conference on this day, a 20-minute pre-edited version of ‘Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga’ was also screened. It is the story of the protagonist, Furiosa, risking her life in a devastated world 45 years after the collapse of civilization, as she sets out on a journey to return to her homeland. Anya Taylor-Joy, who is well known in Korea for her role in the Netflix drama ‘Queen’s Gambit’, played the role of young Fury Osa. Actor Chris Hemsworth, who left a strong impression as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, took on the role of the new villain ‘Dementus’. He appears as the person who kidnapped Furiosa from his mother and sold him to Immortan (Lerch Hum) of the Citadel.

Furiosa in 'Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga'.  Provided by Warner Brothers Korea

Furiosa in ‘Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga’. Provided by Warner Brothers Korea

Like the previous film, the movie shows an explosive car chase action scene, but this time the amount of dialogue has increased significantly. It is a device to explain the 18 years that Furiosa experienced. Director Miller said, “(The action scenes) will be familiar yet unique (due to the increased amount of dialogue),” and added, “When making a series of movies like this, we should avoid following the same format.”

Director George Miller, who directed the 'Mad Max' series, is responding at a press conference held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 15th.  Provided by Warner Brothers Korea

Director George Miller, who directed the ‘Mad Max’ series, is responding at a press conference held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Provided by Warner Brothers Korea

Director Miller has been working on the series for 45 years, starting with ‘Mad Max’ in 1979. He has an unusual background in that he graduated from medical school, worked as an orthopedic surgeon, and then became a film director. ‘Mad Max’ is the first film in which he received critical recognition since his debut. Director Miller said, “My whole life, I have tried to draw audiences into movies, and I think I am gradually understanding (about movies) more.” He also said, “Movies are like music that you see with your eyes,” and “When you watch a movie, you use many of your five senses. He added, “Because everything, including camera movement and sound, is in the movie, no one can say that they have completely mastered the movie yet.”

He was the first to visit Korea after unveiling the provisional version for the first time at the CinemaCon 2024 event held in Las Vegas, USA, earlier this month. He said, “(Distributor) Warner Bros. said, ‘Korea is a really important country (in the film industry),’” and “I was surprised that Korean people have so much knowledge about movies. “I heard that every city has a film festival, and it seems like great directors are produced through this culture.” He mentioned his meeting with director Bong Joon-ho the previous day and said, “It is a pleasant experience to meet and talk with a great director (like Director Bong).” It was his first time visiting Korea and he said, “I went to a traditional Korean restaurant and it was great and fantastic. “I ate too much food,” he said with a laugh.

Although he is a veteran who is approaching his 80s, director Miller still said, “I am nervous because it feels like I am sending my child into the world” ahead of the release of his new work. “I made the movie, but in the end, it’s the audience who tells me whether it’s a good movie. There is a saying I like. ‘If the story is bad, it’s my fault. If it’s good, it’s the audience’s fault.’ “I think it would be a great honor if audiences had an experience that left an afterimage even after they left the movie theater.”

Reporter Choi Ji-seon [email protected]

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2024-04-15 17:20:24

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