“HARBIN,” a recent film that has garnered attention for its stunning visuals and profound message, has dominated the box office (no. 1 in ticket reservations) on its first day of release according to the integrated ticketing system, raising expectations for its success. As a result, Dexter Studios’ capabilities in the post-production process are drawing interest from the market as well.
Content specialist company Dexter Studios [206560], along with its subsidiary, Livetone, announced that it participated in the digital intermediate (DI), digital imaging technician (DIT), and sound (SOUND) tasks that went into “HARBIN.” Dexter Studios once again teamed up with Hive Media Corp, the production company behind films such as “12.12: The Day” and “Deliver Us from Evil.”
“HARBIN” is a film set in 1909, depicting the intense pursuit and conflict between the independence army heading to Harbin for a single purpose and those chasing them. Directed by Woo Min-ho, known for his bold direction in films like “Inside Men” and “The Man Standing Next,” the film stars talented actors such as Hyun Bin, Park Jung-min, Jo Woo-jin, and Jeon Yeo-bin, which is why it has been highly anticipated as the top release in theaters this winter season.
The film, specially produced in the IMAX format with certain scenes expanded to a 1.90:1 ratio, has received praise for its stunning visuals captured across three countries and natural landscapes. Here, Dexter Studios focused on maximizing the cinematic experience for theater audiences.
Dexter Studios’ Colorist Director Park Jin-young said, “We moved away from the vintage textures typically associated with period films, using the latest technology to deliver the clarity of the visuals with strong contrast and sharp textures to create the weighty atmosphere unique to ‘HARBIN.’ We focused on capturing the subtle expressions of the main characters, and for scenes like the Battle of Shinahsahn and the frozen Tumen River, we highlighted the visual impact delivered by the cinematic aspect ratio used by the IMAX format.”
Livetone Sound Supervisor Choi Tae-yeong, who was in charge of the film’s sound design, stated, “We differentiated the sound design for each space depicted in the film, focusing on the detailed depiction of spatial sense and the texture of air, such as wind, that can be felt in the theater. Most importantly, we focused on enhancing the emotional storytelling of the film through the music of the London Symphony Orchestra, the voices of the actors providing rational information, and the distribution of sound effects to stimulate the audience’s emotions.”
Recently, Dexter Studios has been involved in the post-production of the Disney+ original series “Light Shop,” JTBC drama series “The Tale of Lady Ok,” season 2 of the Netflix series “Hellbound,” and “Parasyte: The Grey.” The company has been showcasing its differentiated capabilities across the entire post-production process, including visual effects (VFX), digital intermediate (DI), digital imaging technician (DIT), and sound, for both theaters and streaming platforms.
