Joon-ho Bong's horror melodrama The Host was an excellent South Korean genre film that, similar to 2003's Save The Green Planet, pushed conventions in exciting directions. The picture became a cult hit among English-speaking audiences, drawn in by its imaginative horror film premise - giant monster versus naive father trying to protect his child - as well as its occasional satirical digs at the American military presence in the country.

For the last couple of years the director has been discussing his next project, an adaptation of bande dessinée Le Transperceneige, a dystopian science fiction fable about the last survivors of humanity following a global catastrophe traveling on an endless journey aboard a sophisticated train. The passengers are divided between the debauched wealthy and the starving poor, separated by their respective status. Think Battlestar Galactica meets Huis Clos and you are probably close, with Bong himself comparing the tale to Noah's ark. 

Well this week the poster for the film - now titled Snow Piercer - has been released. 

As promotional campaigns go, this seems to be heavily reliant on the impressive cast list. Originally Joon-ho Bong was reported to be titling the film 'Different Trains', a hint as to the class-divide at the centre of the plot. Personally I am always happy to see Ewen Bremner again - yes I couldn't resist that Trainspotting reference in the post title (poor Spud - clip NSFW). 

Hopefully the production will also draw attention to Le Transperceneige, initially created by Jacques Lob and Alexis, but following the latter's death in 1977, completed by artist Jean-Marc Rochette. The team would in 1985 win the inaugural Angoulême Religious Award for their work on Le Transperceneige. Later Rochette would complete the storyline, this time collaborating with Benjamin Legrand, in a third volume titled La traversée.

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