Written By: Ken HulseySources: Sector 7 Press Kit / Sector 7 Blog / Gorezone / Avery Guerra
Way back in 2009 I wrote a small article about another ambitious monster movie coming out of Korea called "Sector 7". The film which stars the very fetching Ha Ji-Won, was directed by Yoon Je-Gyun and is very heavily inspired by such classic monster movies as "The Thing", "Alien" and "It: The Terror From Beyond Space" kinda disappeared off the radar until it showed up for a special screening in LA earlier this month. The film has gained a lot of positive reviews from that screening and now the LA based branch of the Korean distributor CJ E&M Pictures is set to unleash the film across America in limited release.
Here is the info on the film from CJ E&M's press material:
The Eclipse is an offshore drilling rig stationed at Sector 7, where the crew spend their days searching for oil, but something else awaits that is deadlier than they can imagine. A desperate struggle against the unknown enemy in Sector 7 begins…the open sea offers no place to hide.
Something awaits 8,000 feet under the sea off the southern tip of Jeju Island.
The Eclipse is the offshore drilling rig stationed at Sector 7, a mining area in the vast open sea located off the southern tip of Jeju Island. The oil drilling excavations end in failure and headquarters gives the order to withdraw.
Captain Jeong-man is sent to oversee the crew’s withdrawal from the Eclipse. However, Hae-jun, the equipment manager (played by Ha Ji-won), is adamantly opposed to the headquarters’ order, as she is certain that oil will be discovered in Sector 7. Motivated by Hae-jun’s conviction of finding oil, the Captain suggests conducting one last drilling exercise.
While Hae-jun and the crew are fully engaged in their final attempt, they lose communication with headquarters, and the crew is overwhelmed by the disconcerting feeling that something is out there. As bodies begin disappearing one by one, the few surviving need to think fast and fight for their lives in a non-stop battle against the mutant monster from the sea. Survival looks unlikely, but Hae-jun and the crew are determined to take any chance to get out of Sector 7 alive.
A special preview screening of Sector 7
Having a similar premise to Bong Joon-ho’s
With a, “Really cool monster, some comedic moments, great action and special effects,” it’s a Korean film that strays from the norm and will keep you interested in finding out what is in store for the ill-fated crew on board.
Korea’s first 3-D action blockbuster created with original technology
After Bong Joon-ho’s monster in The Host
MOPAC Studio was onboard throughout Sector 7's
3-D production was planned from the beginning. Sector 7
Audiences experience a highly finished level of 3-D effects that are thrilling yet naturally entwined with the story.
Unrivalled female warrior Ha Ji-won is Korea’s Angelina Jolie
Ha Ji-won has always been a fighter and a strong spirited woman in most of her films. Performing various roles like a boxer throwing hard punches for the championship belt, a detective of the Joseon period elegantly brandishing a sword, a geisha dangling men’s hearts on a string, and a stunt woman who leaves the scent of lavender in her wake. In every role, she has left a lasting impression with her irreplaceable presence and obvious athletic skills.
One might even say that Sector 7
But even with her adept physical skills and experience, Ha Ji-won had to train long and hard to prepare for the demands of Sector 7
Taking on dangerous and physical action scenes without the use of a stunt double, Ha Ji-won’s performance in Sector 7
Top notch cast in Sector 7
In addition to Ha Ji-won, the charismatic female warrior, actors that represent the best of the Korean film industry are also aboard the Eclipse.
Ahn Sung-ki, often referred to as the pillar of the Korean film industry, took on the role of the veteran captain Jeong-man who is most knowledgeable of the Sector 7 oil rig and its history. His character is just as brave and determined as Hae-jun, as he too stands firm behind the oil excavation efforts. Ahn Sung-ki shows as much strength and effort as his younger co-stars, fighting against the monster in a number of physical action sequences.
Oh Ji-ho, who radiates heartthrob charm, has the role of oil analyst Kim Dong-su, which showcases the actor’s prime conditioning as well as a great sense of humor.
There are is also a great supporting cast: Lee Han-wee as Mun-hyeok, the medic; equipment manager Sang-gu is played by Park Chul-min; welder Jong-yun is played by Song Sae-byuk; and finally, the coy ecologist Hyeon-jeong is played by Cha Ae-ryun. Many of the actors were unfamiliar with acting in front of a green screen and against imaginary characters, however, absolute trust in director Kim Ji-hoon and the production staff made each performance possible.
A forgotten exploration site becomes the scene of life-or-death battles
Sector 7 is an actual exploratory area located on the continental shelf between Jeju Island and Japan’s Kyushu Islands. Oil production on Sector 7 seemed like a realistic goal in the past, as it was believed to hold massive oil and natural gas reserves that would dwarf those in Saudi Arabia. This inspired dreams of Korea becoming an oil-producing nation. Being an extremely promising site, Sector 7 was also a hot potato in Korean/Japanese diplomatic relations in the 1970’s. Now, the existence of Sector 7 is as faint as a fantasy, and is reborn in this film as a battlefield of desperation—the ideal setting for this movie.
Sector 7’s status as an actual location adds a dose of reality to the storyline. But, the isolated and mysterious location also provides the perfect setting for the imagination of a monstrous creature lurking in the long forgotten oil rig.
With no place to hide, the crew members fight in a desperate attempt to survive with heart-stopping action sequences and monster gore, resulting in pure theatrical fun.
100% Korean made Sea Monster – The intricate process behind the
MOPAC Studios created a monster that has never been imaginable to any audience. Their main concept behind the creature was to eliminate any pre-visualized movie monsters and create a completely unique living organism. Inspiration for the creature came from seafood. From a sea squirt to different varieties of fish, the creators of the
There are a total of 12 developmental stages, which allow viewers to follow the complete metamorphosis of the monster. Starting out as a slimy sea creature, the monster grows to massive proportions and becomes frighteningly resilient as the film progresses.
US Release Dates:
9/16/11
AMC Cherry Hill 24 (Philadelphia)
AMC Hoffman 22 (DC)
AMC Rio 18 (DC)
AMC Grapevine Mills (Dallas)
AMC Empire (New York)
AMC Ridgefield Park (New Jersey)
AMC Colonial 18 (Atlanta)
AMC Niles 12 (Chicago)
10/14/11 Consolidated Ward (Hawaii)
Sector 7 Trailer:
Sector 7 Photos:
