Self-Isolation Blu-ray Box Coming from Fourth Window Films

UK Distributor Fourth Window Films have announced the release of the Limited Edition Self-Isolation Blu-ray Box, containing 3 movies aimed at keeping the Asian cinephile who’s been required to self-isolate both sane and entertained. The full press release is below –

At Fourth Window Films we’re all about getting through this together, and to add our small contribution to the greater good, we’ll be releasing the Self-Isolation Blu-ray Box. The exclusive set contains 3 examples of contemporary Korean cinema with a theme of either self-isolation or surviving a pandemic. All 3 titles have been hand-curated by our in-house Asian cinema expert, and aim to put a fresh perspective on the new normal that we live in, while also entertaining by highlighting some of the best cinema in the world today.

The 3 titles are –

The Flu (2013) – Kim Seong-su’s disaster epic focuses on an aggressive mutated flu virus that kills its victims in 36 hours, and the unrest it causes on the streets of South Korea once it starts to quickly spread. With the virus able to be directly transferred from animals such as rats and birds, soon the whole country is plunged into chaos, with a government reluctant to call for a mass quarantine. All of this results in a nationwide lockdown under military control, as our protagonists desperately attempt to find a cure (and equally importantly – fall in love).

If you’re feeling anxious about the current situation, watch The Flu and be thankful events in reality could never come to such audacious measures.

Deranged (2012) – When bodies start to turn up in the Han River in various grotesque states, it’s revealed that the deaths are a result of a virus outbreak involving mutated parasitic worms, and it doesn’t take long before public panic sets in. It’s easy to understand why, as more and more bodies begin to be discovered in rivers across the country. Somehow this is all connected to a new drug created by a pharmaceutical company and stock manipulation, but how do these factors result in so many grizzly deaths involving water?

For those buying into the conspiracy theories around todays state of affairs, you’re bound to get a kick out of Deranged.

OldBoy (2003) – A classic of the Korean Wave, while Park Chan-wook’s masterpiece doesn’t involve a virus, it does serve as the perfect example of self-isolation on film. After a few too many drinks on a work night Choi Min-sik is kidnapped, and spends the next 15 years locked in a small room, with only a TV for company (and a diet consisting of dumplings!) Long before the smartphone era and Facebook, Min-sik spends his time in isolation shadow boxing, and planning his revenge on whoever it is that has him imprisoned. A plan which is put in motion as soon as he’s released.

If you think a few months is a long time to self-isolate, the 15 years that Min-sik spends alone in OldBoy are certainly enough to put things in perspective!

The Box Set will come in exclusive ‘clean surface’ packaging which is easy to wipe clean, and will be limited to 1000 pieces which are expected to last 6 months. The first 500 pressings will come with an exclusive bottle of hand sanitizer.

A final release date is still pending, but you can be sure we’ll keep you up to date once it’s announced. Until then, stay safe!

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