[26th BIFF] Busan Film Festival, Leos Carax's Schedule Hits Snag... Cancellation Notified One Day Before

Photo by Watcha

[Busan=Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] The Busan International Film Festival informed that the press conference of French director Leos Carax, known for directing 'Les Amants du Pont-Neuf,' and the audience talk (GV) schedule for 'Annette' were canceled a day before the event.

Director Leos Carax was scheduled to attend the press conference for the Gala Presentation invitation film 'Annette' at the 26th Busan International Film Festival on the afternoon of the 9th at the KNN Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan. However, it was only around 5 PM on the 8th, a day before, that the festival announced, "Due to circumstances of the organizer, the schedule has been changed," stating it would be held at the same place on the 10th at 2 PM.

The GV that was supposed to take place that day was also canceled. The Busan Film Festival announced the cancellation without further explanation through its official Instagram on the 8th. They later planned to arrange an additional GV on the 12th.

Leos Carax’s new film 'Annette' drew attention after winning the Best Director Award at the 74th Cannes Film Festival this year. The Busan Film Festival scheduled the director’s press conference and GV on the substitute holiday and the following Saturday (the 9th).

Online, there were criticisms that the Busan Film Festival’s handling of the cancellation notice without providing a clear reason was unsatisfactory. When the press inquired to understand the situation, only then did the festival explain, "Due to the impact of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection), there was a disruption in Leos Carax’s flight schedule."

The festival informed that Director Leos Carax was supposed to arrive on the afternoon of the 8th but only arrived on the afternoon of the 9th, a full day later.

Busan=Reporter Lee Iseul