Jeonju International Film Festival: Spring night overflowing with films

Guests arriving at the red carpet event for the Jeonju International Film Festival held in the city of Jeonju in the North Jeolla Province, South Korea on April 28, 2011. [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

“Who’s that? I can’t see from here.”
“No idea~ Just take the picture~”
“Hey, I’m out of batteries. What am I going to do?”

The was the voice of the audience surrounding the red carpet and yellow barricade whose cameras and other gadgets may not be on par of that of the press but their love and interest for celebrities, was much more heated. The Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) into its 12th year, opened on the slightly chilly spring evening of April 28 at the Sori Arts Center of the North Jeolla Province.

JIFF's audience proved to be bold-faced and outgoing as well. While it was expected that they would squeal out in delight toward local celebrities, they gave equally enthusiastic response to guests from overseas whom they hardly knew, shouting “Welcome! Handsome!” and even blew them kisses. As if having recognized how they felt, the foreigners too smiled with pleased looks on their faces while capturing shots of the crowd on their own cameras or mobile phones.

Actor Kim Sang-gyung and actress Kim Gyu-ri at the opening ceremony for the Jeonju International Film Festival held in the city of Jeonju in the North Jeolla Province, South Korea on April 28, 2011. [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

The emcees for this year’s opening ceremony were actor Kim Sang-gyung and actress Kim Gyu-ri. Kim Gyu-ri, in particular, expressed her interest and expectations for the festival while revealing that she too had been a promotional ambassador for the JIFF as well, in its fifth edition. Band EoEoBu Project, that showcased a unique music world of their own through participation into original soundtracks for several local films including “Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance” (2002), “The War of Flower” (2006) and “WOOCHI” (2009), gave the celebratory performance for the opening event. The space was soon filled with each and every phrase of vocalist Baek Hyun-jin’s song which seemed to delve into the heart of every listener. Asghar Farhadi, the director of the opening film “Nader And Simin, A Separation” (2011) was unable to attend the latest festival but expressed his regret through a letter that expressed how sorry he is to miss the chance to stand in the corner and observe everyone’s eyes and see exactly how his movie affected the viewers’ feelings.

A film festival returns every year. And it does not always have to be to Jeonju either. But in 2011, this is where the Jeonju fest at this moment will exist only now. Among the many films featured here, be it the ones you have anticipated for a long time or you are simply attracted to the titles or it is just that the screening time fits into your schedule, this is where you might find the movie of your life. Come if something tugs at you. The festival has only just begun.

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