29th Busan International Film Festival Kicks Off Showcasing a Diverse Selection of Films

The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) opening ceremony took place on the afternoon of October 2nd at the Busan Cinema Center located in Haeundae-gu, Busan. Esteemed actors Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong hosted the event, which was attended by a myriad of notable figures from the domestic and international film industries.

As the ceremony commenced, hosts Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong stated, “The Busan International Film Festival serves as a platform to encourage and inspire filmmakers from Korea, Asia, and beyond to realize their creative aspirations. We are eager to see which films will resonate with audiences this year.”

The ceremony started with the presentation of the “Camellia Award,” a new honor established this year by the Busan International Film Festival in collaboration with Chanel. This award aims to highlight and celebrate the contributions of women in cinema. The inaugural award was presented to art director Ryu Sung-hee.

Ryu Sung-hee has significantly shaped Korean art direction, contributing to acclaimed films such as “Memories of Murder” (2003), “Oldboy” (2003), “The Host” (2006), “Thirst” (2009), “The Front Line” (2011), “Ode to My Father” (2014), “Assassination” (2015), and “Decision to Leave” (2022). Her collaboration with director Park Chan-wook on “The Handmaiden” (2016) notably earned her the Vulcan Award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, marking her as the first Korean to achieve this accolade and showcasing the high-caliber talent within Korean cinema.

Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts and Culture at Chanel, who presented the award, remarked, “Ryu Sung-hee’s achievements are truly exceptional. Her refined aesthetic has enriched the cinematic experience, and her successful journey serves as a profound inspiration to women filmmakers.”

Upon receiving the award, Ryu Sung-hee expressed her heartfelt appreciation, stating, “Thank you for creating this meaningful award for women filmmakers.” She reminisced about the early challenges in her career, sharing, “When I embarked on my film journey, there were few female art directors, and it was predominantly viewed as a male domain, especially in creative roles and genre films.”

Ryu continued, “I approached numerous production companies with my portfolio, but faced rejection time and again, being told I would only be viable for melodrama or romance projects. I thought, ‘I must find a way to challenge this perception and culture. I need to demonstrate that genre films created by women can be original, impactful, and reflect life’s joys and sorrows with artistry and delicacy.’ I reminded myself of this repeatedly.”

She concluded, “I firmly believe that when we dismiss biases and provide equal opportunities, the possibilities that arise are limitless. I want to dedicate this honor to all the talented female filmmakers aspiring to take the next step in the Korean film industry.”

Next, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun and new chairman Park Kwang-soo took to the stage to officially declare the festival open. Mayor Park enthusiastically proclaimed, “This year’s film festival surpasses all previous ones. The autumn in Busan is stunning. Even the typhoon has passed. We’re fully prepared to embark on our cinematic voyage. We invite all movie enthusiasts to join us. We are ready to hoist the sails and set sail!”

The jury for the New Currents section was subsequently unveiled. New Currents is a significant competitive segment of the Busan International Film Festival showcasing the debut or second feature films of emerging directors who are shaping the landscape of Asian cinema. The section has garnered attention within the domestic and global film communities, emphasizing the diversity and potential of Asian films while presenting new directors and their remarkable works as they lead a resurgence in the industry.

This year’s New Currents jury includes five esteemed filmmakers from Korea, Asia, and Europe: jury chair Mohammad Rasoulov, director Lee Myung-se, actors Joo Dong-woo and Kani Kusruti, along with Banja Kaluzerski, executive director of the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Kaluzerski expressed, “It is my honor to participate in the Busan International Film Festival, which has played an instrumental role in discovering audacious and original filmmakers and elevating their work to international prominence, thereby illuminating the future of cinema.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award was then presented in tribute to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun, who unfortunately passed away last December. A special program entitled “A Beautiful Person, Lee Sun-kyun,” will take place at this year’s festival, featuring screenings of six films that highlight the late actor’s prominent roles, including “Paju” (2009), “Our Sun-hee” (2013), “A Hard Day” (2014), “Parasite” (2019), the acclaimed drama “My Mister” (2018), and his final work, “Land of Happiness.”

The Asian Filmmaker of the Year award was awarded to renowned Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, honored for his exceptional contributions to the advancement of the Asian film industry and culture. Celebrated for his distinctive cinematic style in films like “Cure” (1997), “Pulse” (2001), and “Retribution” (2006), Kurosawa has garnered an extensive fanbase. At this year’s Busan International Film Festival, his two new films, “Serpent’s Path” and “Cloud,” will be showcased.

Upon receiving the award, director Kiyoshi Kurosawa expressed, “It has been 40 years since I began my filmmaking journey, and I first participated in the Busan International Film Festival 20 years ago. It’s no exaggeration to say that the festival has witnessed the evolution of my film career. I’m deeply touched. I’m particularly thrilled to have completed two films this year and to present them both at the festival. Thank you.”

Notably, “Uprising,” is a Netflix film and marks a historical first as the opening film for the festival. Lead actor Kang Dong-won conveyed his excitement, stating, “It’s such a joy to walk the red carpet at the Busan International Film Festival after such a long time. I hope you all enjoy watching the film and have a wonderful experience.”

This year’s Busan International Film Festival runs from October 2nd to 11th, taking place at the Busan Cinema Center, the Korea Film Council screening room, and seven other venues across Busan. A total of 279 films will be showcased, including 224 feature films (99 world and international premieres, 86 world premieres, and 13 international premieres) from 63 countries, alongside 55 films in the Community BIFF screenings.

Source: Daum

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