Magnet To Release South Korean Monster Flick CHAW In The US As CHAWZ

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Undead Backbrain / Collider.com / Avery Guerra

Over the past half decade film makers in South Korea have really fallen in love with good old fashioned monster movies and despite what you might think, they have produced some of the genres better films over that time span.

One of these surprisingly good monster movies is Jeong-won Shin's giant boar on the loose film, entitled "Chaw", which has flown under the radar, mostly, here in the western world.

Now, thankfully, Magnet Releasing is set to bring the film to US shores under the odd title "Chawz". If you think that the film's new Americanized title sounds a little bit too much like "Jaws" you would be correct, for the folks over at Magnet are not trying to hide the fact they want people to make the mental connection.

Here is the press release:

The Wagner Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that it has acquired North American rights to CHAWZ, a wild and funny Korean monster movie about a giant, vicious pig terrorizing an idyllic countryside. Directed by Jeong-won Shin, CHAWZ is an affectionate tribute to classing monster movies that boasts fantastically gory special effects of the porcine beast attacking innocent tourists looking to pick organic vegetables.

“If JAWS was looking to branch out to dry land, without a doubt he’d want to be CHAWZ,” said Magnet SVP Tom Quinn. “Another worthy addition to the Korean monster hall of fame and the Magnet Releasing library.”

Youngjoo Suh, CEO of Finecut comments, “I’m delighted to work again with Magnolia who did a brilliant job for the distribution of THE HOST. We very much look forward to our collaboration through CHAWZ.”

The North American deal was negotiated by Magnet’s Quinn and Peter Van Steemberg with Youngjoo Suh and Luna Kim from Finecut.

And here is another synopsis:

Shock and fear wash over the quiet, peaceful town of Sameri when ecologist (Soo Ryeon) discovers the body parts of a girl in the mountains. Officer Kim Kang Su (Uhm Tae Woong), newly transferred from Seoul, gets assigned to the case, but it soon transpires this is no ordinary homicide. Cheon Il Man (Jang Hang Seon), the victim’s grandfather, is convinced that the culprit is a giant man-eating boar, and more will be claimed if the beast isn’t taken down. Kim’s own mother has gone missing, and may have already fallen victim. All interested in capturing the boar for reasons of their own, Kim, Cheon, Soo Ryeon, opportunistic hunter Baek (Yoon Je Moon), and detective Shin (Park Hyuk Kwon) head into the dangerous wilds, but will they make it back out alive?

"Chaw" .... or "Chawz" as it were, made it's debut on this side of the Pacific this past June at the New York Asian Film Festival, where it drew very favorable reviews from the fans in attendance.

Here are some great stills from the film, that were collected by Avery Guerra:

See Also: The Ancient Dogoo Girl, Death Kappa And Chaw Invade New York / The First Look At The Giant Razorback From Jeong-won Shin's "Chaw" / It's Giant Korean Pigs Run Amok In Chaw

The First Look At The Giant Razorback From Jeong-won Shin's "Chaw"

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Undead Backbrain / Avery Guerra

It has become quite evident that film makers in South Korea have fallen in love with good old fashioned monster movies and at this present time, they are making some of the best ones. Better than the ones being made in Japan, and even better than some of the ones being made here in the good old USA.

I know that's saying a lot, but the Korean film industry has been doing a great job with monster films as of late.

One of these better than expected Korean films, is Jeong-won Shin's giant boar on the loose film, entitled "Chaw." Little has been released about the film here on this side of the Pacific, but it has done very well in the Asian market (the film was released in theaters on July 15th) and has now reached the import DVD retailers.

Our very own Avery Guerra was able to find several images from the film, even some of the coveted giant swine himself.

Now maybe you noticed this too, is it my imagination, or could you easily replace the Korean actors in these shots with good old American 'rednecks'?

Really, if these guys weren't obviously Asian, you would think that "Chaw" was shot in rural Mississippi or something.

Looks like the Koreans even do pig hunts better than us! Move over "Hogzilla"...hear comes "Chaw"!

Here the synopsis:

Shock and fear wash over the quiet, peaceful town of Sameri when ecologist (Soo Ryeon) discovers the body parts of a girl in the mountains. Officer Kim Kang Su (Uhm Tae Woong), newly transferred from Seoul, gets assigned to the case, but it soon transpires this is no ordinary homicide. Cheon Il Man (Jang Hang Seon), the victim’s grandfather, is convinced that the culprit is a giant man-eating boar, and more will be claimed if the beast isn’t taken down. Kim’s own mother has gone missing, and may have already fallen victim. All interested in capturing the boar for reasons of their own, Kim, Cheon, Soo Ryeon, opportunistic hunter Baek (Yoon Je Moon), and detective Shin (Park Hyuk Kwon) head into the dangerous wilds, but will they make it back out alive?

Check out your local (or Internet) Asian film retailer for "Chaw".

Here are the photos:

See Also: It's Giant Korean Pigs Run Amok In Chaw

It's Giant Korean Pigs Run Amok In Chaw

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Dread Central / Avery Guerra

For a couple weeks now I have been hinting at a couple of films that feature giant killer pigs, and now I've finally gotten a chance to write about one of them.

Over the past decade film makers in Korea have really begun to make some first class horror and monster films. Westerners first started to take notice with the 1999 release of "The Ring Virus", which is a remake of the Japanese horror film "Ringu," which you probably know from the American remake, "The Ring." Many critics view the Korean version as the best of the bunch. Then, of course, there is Bong Joon-ho's giant monster film, "The Host", which again was praised by critics and fans alike. The Korean giant monster film, "D-War", didn't gain as much praise, but it did feature state of the art effects and it was a huge box office success in Asian countries.

Now there is yet another film from Korea that is starting to get some attention called "Chaw." The film features another giant monster, this time a wild hog, on a murderous rampage. The effects, once again, look very impressive, and from the trailer I gather that the film could be on the same level as "The Host", but it's hard to get a true feel from just seeing a few images.

Here's the film's synopsis:

One day in the small, peaceful village of Sameri, boasting no criminal cases for 10 years, a terrible accident happens. Ecologists studying wild animals on a nearby mountain discover a collection of dismembered body parts. Policeman Kim Kang-su, just transferred to Sameri from Seoul, takes the case. The victim turns out to be a grand-daughter of Chun Il-man, who was once a legendary hunter. Chun is convinced that it wasn’t a human that murdered his granddaughter but a man-eating boar, Chaw. Terrified, the people of Sameri invite one of the most famous hunters, Baek, to catch the Chaw. Baek leaps at the chance, hoping it will prove himself to be the best ever hunter. Baek, Chun, detective Sim in charge of the case, ecologist Soo-ryun and Kim (whose mother is also missing) head into the deep dark mountains to confront the beast.