'Sunshine': Peering Through Darkness

Lee Chang-dong was an acclaimed novelist in South Korea before becoming a filmmaker at the relatively ripe old age of 43. Since making his feature debut in 1997 with "Green Fish," he has come to embody the remarkable cinematic renaissance of that country over the past decade. The Korean Film Festival presents a retrospective of Lee's work starting today.

Tomorrow and Sunday, the festival screens Lee's new movie, "Secret Sunshine," which has garnered buzz on the festival circuit, with lead actress Jeon Do-yeon winning the best-actress award at Cannes last year for her portrayal of a young widow who moves with her son to a provincial town. Jeon indeed succeeds in delivering a fierce, multifaceted performance as a woman forced to cope with tragedy as well as the romantic attentions of a sweet-natured mechanic.

By turns funny and wrenching, "Secret Sunshine" recalls the recent film "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" in its depiction of a woman thrown headlong into life's most harrowing and, in this case, spiritually transcendent extremes. If "Secret Sunshine" finally succumbs to wailing, retching and rending of garments in its final act, it's still worth the time if only to observe Jeon's expression during a pivotal confrontation with the man who has forever changed -- and damaged -- her life.

"Secret Sunshine" screens at the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery tomorrow at 7 p.m. Tickets (two per person) are distributed an hour before the film. Free. Meyer Auditorium, Jefferson Drive and 12th Street SW. 202-633-1000.

The movie is also shown at the AFI Silver Theatre on Sunday at 7 p.m., and Lee Chang-dong will be on hand to discuss the film both nights. (He'll also be at the AFI screening of "Oasis" [2002] on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. and "Peppermint Candy" [2000] at the Freer on Sunday at 2 p.m.) $9.75; seniors and students, $8.50. AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. 301-495-6720.

Save the Date

CONCERT: The Next Opera to Catch? Plácido at the Movie Theater So, opera is finding a big audience at the local movie house (see Anne Midgette's story on the phenomenon on Page C1). Isn't it time you checked it out for yourself? On May 11, nearly two dozen theaters across the country will screen Plácido Domingo's April 18 gala concert in Los Angeles, which marked the 40th anniversary of his first performance in that city (he performed the title role in "Don Rodrigo"). In Washington, you can see the 1 1/2 -hour broadcast at Landmark's E Street Cinema, at a fraction of the cost of seeing it live. $20; seniors, $18; children, $15. 2 p.m. May 11. 555 11th St. NW. For advance tickets, visit http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/WashingtonDC/EStreetCinema.htm.

CONCERT: Phish Is Dead, All Hail Phish That's the gist of Weekapaug Orchestra, a Maryland-based jam band "re-creating the Phish Experience." (Meaning it's one tie-dye party, for sure.) And just in time for warm weather, too. They play the State Theatre in Falls Church on May 10. $12; $10 in advance. Doors at 7 p.m. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church. Visit http://www.thestatetheatre.com for tickets or call 703-237-0300.

The District

Today

FILM: Roller Disco Cinema: "The Unholy Rollers" The Library of Congress is so naughty. First, "Kitten With a Whip." Now, the library's Mary Pickford Theater shows this porny roller-derby epic, which stars 1970 Playboy Playmate of the Year Claudia Jennings as a disillusioned factory worker who looks for empowerment in the local roller-derby team. "Unholy Rollers" was one of the earliest movies Martin Scorsese worked on (he was the film's editor). Jennings? She died less than 10 years later. Note: Expect nudity. Free. 7 p.m. today. Mary Pickford Theater, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. SE. 202-707-5394.

Tomorrow

FILM: Filmfest DC: "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" Smith will be at the Lincoln Theatre tomorrow for this big screening on the second night of Filmfest DC. The documentary (shown at Sundance) follows the journey of the famed "punk poet" who seems to have been everywhere, done everything. The movie was shot over 11 years. $10. 9:30 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. For a full list of films and ticketing information, visit http://www.filmfestdc.org; for advance tickets, 800-955-5566 or http://www.tickets.com. (Note: Day-of-show tickets available only at the box office.)

CONCERT: Destroyer With almost whispery, crooning vocals, Canadian musician Daniel Bejar and his band perform some high-on-drama songs with some equally dramatic lyrics. They're at the Black Cat with Andre Ethier tomorrow. $12. 9 p.m. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. 202-667-7960.

Saturday

EXHIBIT: "The Sartorialist" Adamson Gallery's show spotlighting the photography of longtime fashion insider/blogger Scott Schuman, a.k.a. the Sartorialist, was set to end this Saturday, but if you haven't seen it, you've been granted a second chance. The show was just extended by two weeks. Schuman has been photographing nattily dressed men and women on the streets of New York, Paris, Stockholm and other cities since 2005. The exhibit features dozens of his photos. Free. Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday noon-5 p.m. Through May 10. 1515 14th St. NW, Suite 202. 202-232-0707.