'Times of the Theater' Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Cinecube, Earns Acclaim at Major Film Festivals

Cinecube, a cinema run by cable network Tcast, is showcasing the enduring potential of arthouse films with its 25th-anniversary project, 'Times of the Theater.' The anthology film has been consecutively invited to prominent domestic film festivals, garnering significant attention.

The journey began with an official invitation to the 'Korean Cinema Today – Panorama' section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival in September. This was followed by a special screening in the 'Deep Focus' program at the 21st Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival in October, where it received rave reviews from filmmakers and audiences alike. Most recently, the film secured an invitation to the 'Festival Choice' section of the 51st Seoul Independent Film Festival, further solidifying its status as a noteworthy cinematic work.

'Times of the Theater' explores the essence of film viewing and creation, centered around the theme of the theater space. It features three distinct short films by directors Lee Jong-pil, Yoon Ga-eun, and Jang Kun-jae. Lee Jong-pil's 'Chimpanzee' stars Kim Dae-myung, Wonstein, Lee Soo-kyung, and Hong Sa-bin. Yoon Ga-eun's 'Naturally' features Go Ah-sung in the role of a director struggling to achieve natural performances from child actors. Jang Kun-jae's 'A Theater Life' tells the story of people working in cinemas and a reunion at a theater in Gwanghwamun, with performances by Yang Mal-bok, Jang Hye-jin, Kwon Hae-hyo, and Moon Sang-hoon.

Beyond mere filmmaking, the project serves to highlight the history and cultural identity of Korean arthouse cinemas. Cinecube, established in 2000 based on an idea by former Taekwang Group chairman Lee Ho-jin, stands as the oldest continuously operating arthouse cinema in Korea. Located in the heart of Gwanghwamun, its curated selection focused on artistic merit and its symbolic significance have cemented its role as a central hub for Korean arthouse cinema over the past 25 years.

Following its screening at the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, directors Lee Jong-pil, Yoon Ga-eun, and Jang Kun-jae participated in a 'Creators' Talk' session. Lee reflected, "Watching 'Chimpanzee,' which contains my real experiences, brought tears to my eyes. It was meaningful to experience 'film as a craft' again after focusing on 'film as a profession' for a while." Yoon stated, "While making 'Naturally,' I wanted to return to my roots and re-experience 'film as play.' The act of strangers gathering in the same space to watch a film is a uniquely theater-provided personal yet collective experience." Jang added, "Cinecube is a crucial place for directors born in the 70s and 80s. While it evokes an image of young cinephiles, I wanted to focus on middle-aged female audiences and those who work in theaters when creating 'A Theater Life.'"

'Times of the Theater' is scheduled for its official theatrical release in the first half of 2026. Tcast aims to continue its role in discovering and supporting young creators through initiatives like this project. Park Ji-ye, head of the Cinecube team at Tcast, expressed, "We are deeply moved that 'Times of the Theater' has been invited to three major film festivals, sparking discussions about the value and meaning of 'theaters.' Cinecube will continue to serve as an unwavering platform for arthouse cinema, consistently creating opportunities to connect creators and audiences."

Korean netizens are buzzing about the film's festival success. Comments range from nostalgic reflections on Cinecube's anniversary, such as 'Wow, 25 years for Cinecube! Time flies,' to anticipation for the director lineup, 'The combination of three directors? I'm already excited,' and praise for the theme, 'The theme of the theater itself is wonderful.'