The Cinematheque KOFA presents its third annual Film Series of Soundtracks between 1^st and 12^th of April, 2017.

Soundtracks have been a crucial part of cinema since pianists or organists accompanied silent films. Especially, it has been considered one for the potential sources since the first feature-length motion picture with synchronized recorded music scores, THE JAZZ SINGE by Alan Crosland in 1927.

From this title, Hollywood released more than 100 musical films in 1930 and they hit their peak popularity in the 1940’s. However, by the late 50’s the invention of television was cutting into the popularity, and thus the profits, of Hollywood. The studios became reluctant to invest in original musicals and degraded to just the stage for source materials of Broadway.

Musical films becoming critical and box office hits is nothing new over the past several years, however, LA LA LAND by Damien Chazelle has been done it with original tunes. Moreover, the most significant point is that it returns to many of the old tropes frequented during Hollywood’s Golden Age, all while exploring a romantic relationship which feels so thoroughly modern in its beats. It could give an opportunity for us to look over the history of Musical Films.

Therefore, this year’s Film Series of Soundtracks includes 16 musical films with the classic ones that inspired LA LA LAND, masterpieces directed by Woody Allen & Clint Eastwood and Korean musical films.