Busan International Film Festival Press Conference
243 Films Invited from 71 Countries
Determination to Normalize After 3 Years
Tony Leung/Photo by Asia Economy DB
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Yang Zaowei (Liang Chaowei, 60) is coming to Busan this year. The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) returns as a grand festival after three years.
The 27th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held a press conference on the afternoon of the 7th and announced that it will invite 243 films from 71 countries this year. BIFF, which opens on the 5th of next month and runs until the 14th across Busan, will present 354 films to audiences, including 102 World + International Premieres, 89 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 111 Community BIFF films.
The films will be screened at 30 screens across seven theaters including Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, Lotte Cinema Centum City, Sohyang Theater, Korean Film Council Standard Screening Room, Lotte Cinema Daeyoung (Community BIFF), and BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema (Community BIFF).
The opening film is "The Scent of Wind" directed by Iranian director Hadi Mohaghegh, and the closing film is "A Man" directed by Japanese director Isakawa Kei, both selected for screening.
BIFF has pledged to remove social distancing seating this year and return to the pre-pandemic film festival format. Events including the opening and closing ceremonies will be held normally.
Executive Committee Chair Heo Mun-young said, "All the suspended Asian film support programs will be fully restored this year," adding, "It is fortunate to resume its role as Asia's top film festival after three years."
Yang Zaowei is heading across the sea to Busan. He is expected to attend the opening ceremony and receive the Asian Film Award. Additionally, six films personally selected by the actor, including "Happy Together," "In the Mood for Love," and "Infernal Affairs," will be introduced in a special exhibition. Chair Heo stated, "He is a great actor who has been loved by film fans worldwide for over 30 years," explaining the selection reason.
In the competition section, New Currents, 10 films including "Stranger" by director Lee Jung-hong and "No End" by Iranian director Nader Saeivar will compete as nominees.
A new Korean Film Special Premiere section has been established, featuring director Jung Ji-young's "Boys" and director Bang Woo-ri's "20th Century Girl," and a documentary honoring the late chief programmer Kim Ji-seok will also meet audiences.
The Asia Contents & Film Market will also be held normally after three years. This year, the Busan Story Market, which expands the E-IP Market, will be newly launched.
The On Screen section, an online video service (OTT) series section first established in Asia last year, will be strengthened. The number of screenings will increase from three to nine, unveiling works such as director Lee Joon-ik's "Yonder," Jung Hae-in's starring "Connect," and Lee Chung-hyun and Jeon Jong-seo's "Bodyguard."
Chair Heo said, "What is the definition of a film? Can a series be considered a film? This is a major topic of the BIFF Forum, which resumes after three years." He added, "If possible, we take the position that the scope of film should be viewed openly and broadly," and said, "We will continue to contemplate."
Director Lee Yong-gwan said, "This year's slogans are 'Face Again' and 'Normalization.' The long winter makes us excited to welcome spring." He explained, "We try to approach things with caution when it comes to anything labeled with 'K.' We adopted strategic aspects."
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