After yesterday's opening panel and reception, KOFFLA is concentrating mainly on film screenings. Since this is their first year, they're really hoping to make this festival a success, but, sadly, turnout was on the sparse side at this afternoon's films. The films themselves, however, were well worth watching. I caught the comedy Barking Dogs Never Bite, an older film (2000) which stars Bae Du-Na (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, The Host), and the action/noir A Bittersweet Life (2005), which brought international attention to its star Lee Byung-Hun.

True to KOFFLA's theme, Barking Dogs Never Bite is a genre-bending film. In fact, I hesitated before labeling it a comedy, because the comedic elements aren't really predominant. It might be closer to straight drama, although the tone is a little too light for that. But whatever it is, at heart it's a sweet story about a college professor who learns a lesson. However, it has a problem, or at least what I see as a problem for a potential Hollywood remake (the second part of KOFFLA's theme).

There are some cultural elements in this film that might not translate completely into a Hollywood film. And they're so integral to the story that I'm afraid a remake that tried to cut them out might end up not having much in common with the original film.

On the other hand, I think A Bittersweet Life would be an awesome candidate for a remake and wouldn't require too many changes, although I do have to say I loved this version so much that I'd be afraid I might find a remake disappointing.

A Bittersweet Life is a dark film about a mob enforcer, but it takes you on an emotional journey with him, and the actor plays this role in a way that really does connect you to this man (his rugged good looks don't hurt). The story is there as well, of course. I could see this becoming a remake in the vein of The Departed, which is about the characters as much as the story.