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Anyone who has seen some of the Korean films that have managed to sneak over into the United States for modest theatrical releases likely knows Korean cinema contains some of the most original and daring plot lines around.

In 2005, America got a taste of something different when Park Chan-wook's Oldboy debuted in theaters. Unpredictable and very disturbing, the film tells a revenge tale of a man who is locked in a room for 15 years and then is inexplicably released. The film rewards repeat viewings and surprisingly has a strong philosophical message about the nature of love.

Another unusual Korean film that made an American splash is The Host, released here in 2007. Mixing comedy, satire, commentary on U.S. foreign policy, monsters and tragedy, the film juggles several different tones remarkably effectively. Both The Host and Oldboy were well-received by the U.S. press (92 percent and 82 percent on critic meter RottenTomatoes.com, respectively). But neither found much traction with U.S. audiences.

AFI Silver in Silver Spring and two other venues in Washington are letting theatergoers have more access to Korean cinema with their film festival, which began April 4 and runs through June 12. AFI focuses particularly on acclaimed filmmaker Lee Chang-dong, who will have a number of works showing at the theater during the month of April. Chang-dong will also be at the screenings themselves for audience discussions after three of his films.

The films described below deal with some serious subjects and easily offended audience members may want to proceed with caution. But for filmgoers who are tired of seeing the same recycled stories at the multiplex, the festival certainly will offer something very different. Diversions highlights three of the films featured at AFI this month.

I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK

I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK is a love story at a mental institution that focuses on a kleptomaniac (Korean pop star Rain) and a girl who's convinced she's a robot (Lim Su-jeong, Lump of Sugar). Yeah, you read right. Park Chan-wook has said he made the film, a lighter one for a director known for his violent revenge stories, because he wanted a movie his 12-year-old daughter could enjoy with her friends. Nonetheless, the film apparently contains a few gruesome shots, so some parents may not want to bring their 12-year olds, but it's likely not as vicious as ultra-violent Oldboy.

Screening: Friday, April 11 at 9 p.m.

Oasis

A man convicted of drunken driving and manslaughter (Sol Kyung-gu, Venus and Mars) apologizes to the victim's family and befriends the victim's daughter (Moon So-ri, Family Ties), who has cerebral palsy. Roger Ebert called the film "unconventional to the point of aggression." The love story, and the events leading up to it, will leave Western audiences shocked. Without giving too much away, let's just say Oasis is an extremely edgy romance, and that's only skimming the surface.

Screening: Saturday, April 26 at 2:45 p.m. (Chang-dong will be there in person.)

Secret Sunshine

This tale of a widow (Jean Do-yean, You are My Sunshine) starting over explores the limitations of forgiveness and the power of religion. Like Oasis this film pushes those notions into extreme territory. Do-yeon's performance earned her the Best Actress award at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Screening: Sunday, April 27 at 7 p.m. (Chang-dong will be there in person.)

The films at the AFI are only part of a larger D.C. Korean Film Festival, with screenings at the Freer Gallery of Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts Theater as well. With 21 films yet to screen, there is a ton of Korean cinema un-spooling in Washington over the next few months. And for fans too lazy to make the trek into the city, a number of Korean titles (including the magnificent duo of The Host and Oldboy) are available on DVD now. See the D.C. Korean Film Festival website at www.asia.si.edu/KoreanFilm2008 for more information.

dan.benamor@gmail.com

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